The ECDL Foundation is the global governing body of the world's leading end-user computer skills certification programme, the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL), which is known as the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL) outside Europe.

The ECDL Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping to raise the general level of computer skills in society and providing access for all to the Information Society.

Our education programmes are available in over 146 countries, so please explore this site to find the certification that is right for you or your organisation.

The European Computer Driving Licence Foundation Ltd (ECDL Foundation), based in Dublin, Ireland, is the worldwide governing body and licensing authority for the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) and the ICDL (International Computer Driving Licence), the global standard in end-user computer skills certification.

Our considerable reputation is based on our pioneering role in identifying and developing programme content, our commitment to rigorous test design methodologies and our adherence to the highest quality standards.

Our distinctive character derives from our strong social ethos, our not-for-profit status and the unique support we enjoy from over 50 Computer Societies across the globe.

The ECDL Foundation mission is to facilitate access for all to the Information Society by providing all people - irrespective of age, gender, status, ability or race - with the skills necessary to use computers in daily life.

As the worldwide licensing authority and global governing body for the ECDL Foundation range of certifications, we are responsible for the following areas:

Setting the Standard: The ECDL Foundation, in conjunction with the world's leading computer societies, sets and maintains the standard for its certification programmes.

Licensing & Governance: The ECDL Foundation establishes ECDL / ICDL Licensees around the world and sets the framework for local programme implementation based on established ECDL Foundation procedures.

Quality Assurance: We are continuously auditing and reviewing our certifications and delivery systems to preserve and protect the high standard for which we are renowned.

Licensee Support: The ECDL Foundation provides a focal point for international Licensees, facilitating communication and interaction across the Licensee community.

Marketing & Promotion: As well as providing an effective centralised marketing support function to Licensees, the ECDL Foundation is responsible for the overall marketing and promotion of the ECDL Foundation product range.

Brand Management: A key role for the ECDL Foundation is the protection of the integrity of the ECDL / ICDL brands.

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Foundation is committed to ensuring that no one is excluded from pursuing ECDL certification and is actively working towards ensuring accessibility to people with disabilities. To this end, the ECDL Foundation has been working within the ECDL / ICDL community and with disabilities groups for some years. The work has identified and eliminated major barriers to accessibility and will continue on an ongoing basis to enhance ICDL / ECDL products.

A key factor behind the success of the ECDL/ICDL certification programme has been an emphasis on consistently high quality standards. These standards are not merely aspirational. The ECDL Foundation operates a comprehensive Quality Assurance system made up of its Licensee Audit Programme and its Quality Management System.

Under the Licensee Audit Programme, the ECDL Foundation periodically audits Licensees and Test Centres to assist Licensees in the maintenance of high standards of programme delivery. These audits reference our Quality Assurance Standards. The Licensee Audit Programme is managed by the ECDL Foundation Quality Assurance Manager, and oversight is provided by the Quality Assurance Committee (QAC), which meets quarterly. The QAC is made up of permanent ECDL Foundation staff as well as several Licensee representatives, including one from the ECDL Foundation Board.

Within the ECDL Foundation, a Quality Management System has been put in place to ensure that all internal activities are carried out in a structure that ensures effectiveness, efficiency, and continuous improvement. The cornerstone of this Quality Management System is the Quality Policy, which is presented below. In 2005, ECDL Foundation’s Quality Management System was certified by our external auditors, Certification Europe, as being compliant with the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2000 standard.

Quality Policy:
"The European Computer Driving Licence Foundation is committed to promoting IT proficiency across the world through a range of high quality certification programmes. To meet the needs of all our customers, the ECDL Foundation has established a Quality Management System based on the internationally recognized quality standard ISO 9001: 2000. Adherence to this standard ensures that the processes used by the ECDL Foundation to develop and support its certification programmes are effective, efficient, and subject to continuous evaluation and improvement.”