UNI public consultation: towards a reference practice for DigComp and DigCompEdu certification in Italy
Published on February 27, 2026by Redazione ExplorerHub5 min read
It is official: the future UNI reference practice on digital competence assessment and people certification is now in public consultation until 24 March 2026. The proposal was put forward by IDCERT Srl SB (International Digital Certification) and Fondazione Italia Digitale, with the aim of standardising certification processes based on the European frameworks DigComp and DigCompEdu, in accordance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17024.
A fundamental aspect of this practice is that it is already oriented towards DigComp 3.0 (Digital Competence Framework for Citizens - Fifth Edition, 2025). The document provides an examination structure based on the 4 new proficiency levels of DigComp 3.0 (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Highly Advanced), while maintaining full interoperability with DigComp 2.2 and European reference systems (EQF, Europass, CEFR-like). For DigCompEdu, the structure follows the 6 levels from A1 to C2.
UNI is the Italian Standards Body, member of ISO and CEN. A UNI reference practice (UNI/PdR) is a para-normative document, established under EU Regulation No. 1025/2012, that defines shared good practices and technical requirements. While not legally binding, it represents market consensus and can become the basis for a future UNI standard or a CEN standard at European level. UNI practices are valid for up to 5 years, during which they can be transformed into a full standard.
The practice was developed by a technical working group led by UNI with the participation of a broad range of institutional stakeholders, including:
This composition ensures that the practice reflects the needs of all ecosystem actors: institutions, accreditation bodies, trade unions, the chamber of commerce system, standards bodies, certification bodies and inspection organisations.
The full title is: "Requirements and principles for the assessment of digital competences and the certification of persons, in accordance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17024, with reference to the DigComp and DigCompEdu frameworks". The practice defines:
Today in Italy, ISO/IEC 17024 accredited bodies, non-accredited entities with simplified procedures and hybrid commercial offerings coexist, creating confusion and risking the credibility of the entire system. The UNI practice would fill this critical gap by establishing:
Italy is today the most advanced country in the world in the institutional adoption of European frameworks on digital competences. A leadership built through bold and far-sighted regulatory choices:
Through the CCNL Scuola 2019-2021 (National Collective Labour Agreement for Schools) and the subsequent Ministerial Decree 89/2024, Italy introduced the CIAD (International Certification of Digital Literacy), based on DigComp 2.2, as a mandatory entry requirement for third-tier ATA staff rankings. This is the first case in the world where a DigComp-based certification has become a necessary condition for accessing public employment. A decision that sent a powerful signal to the certification market and the entire European digital competence ecosystem.
With Ministerial Order No. 27 of 16 February 2026, the Ministry of Education and Merit updated the Provincial Supply Rankings (GPS) for the 2026-2028 biennium, introducing for the first time a specific score for digital competence certifications:
| Certification | Score | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| DigComp 2.2 (citizen competences) | 0.5 points | Accredia-accredited body (ISO/IEC 17024) |
| DigCompEdu (teacher competences) | 1 point | Accredia-accredited body (ISO/IEC 17024) |
The mandatory Accredia accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024 provides a guarantee of quality and independence, excluding from scoring any certifications issued by non-accredited bodies.
With these measures, Italy has built an integrated model unmatched in Europe: DigComp certification is a mandatory entry requirement for ATA staff and a scored qualification for teachers, creating an ecosystem where digital competences have concrete, measurable value in the public employment sector. The UNI practice proposed by IDCERT and Fondazione Italia Digitale fits into this context as the missing piece: the technical reference standard that guarantees quality, comparability and transparency in a rapidly growing certification market.
The public consultation is open to everyone -- training bodies, schools, universities, companies, professionals and citizens -- until 24 March 2026 through the official UNI portal.
ExplorerHub makes the DigComp and DigCompEdu frameworks accessible and browsable to everyone, in 4 languages. The UNI practice proposed by IDCERT and Fondazione Italia Digitale turns these same frameworks into certifiable standards. From understanding to certification, the European digital competence ecosystem is strengthening.
Developed by IDCERT - Certification Body accredited by Accredia no. 02257
© 2026 IDCERT S.r.l. Società Benefit. All rights reserved.
