1995－CEPIS Task Force
The Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS) created a task force in 1995, trying to examine the methods to raise ICT skills levels in industry through Europe. Thus, Computer Driving License (CDL) was initiated in Finland as a potentially suitable vehicle to carry out pilot tests during 1995 and early 1996.
1997－ECDL Foundation Established
With the launching of ECDL in August 1996, ECDL Foundation was established in Dublin, Ireland, in January of 1997, by CEPIS to ensure that the implementation of ECDL was at an equal standard through Europe, and subsequently throughout the world.
1999－ICDL Introduced
As ECDL gained prominence within European states, countries outside Europe began to take a strong interest in the concept. Outside Europe, the core certification is known as ICDL (International Computer Driving License), with the syllabus, testing and certification identical to ECDL.
2004－Beyond ECDL/ICDL
Following the sweeping success of the ICDL certifications in Europe, computer societies and development organisations in Africa and South America began piloting ICDL.
Operations in North America and Asia quickly followed, and ICDL is now the only truly global standard in the field, with more than 8 million candidates registered so far.