Initial work on the European qualifications framework (EQF) started 10 years ago, in autumn 2004. Partly triggered by this initiative, qualifications frameworks have since become integral parts of almost all education and training systems in Europe. Outside Europe, more and more countries and regions (such as Asia-Pacific) are rapidly developing and implementing qualifications frameworks.

Over this period, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training ( CEDEFOP) has been systematically mapping and analysing emergence of qualifications frameworks in different settings and for different purposes.