UNI public consultation: towards a reference practice for DigComp and DigCompEdu certification in Italy

A turning point for digital competence certification in Italy

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.

Already aligned with DigComp 3.0

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.

What is a UNI reference practice

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 working group

The practice was developed by a technical working group led by UNI with the participation of a broad range of institutional stakeholders, including:

• Ministry of Education and Merit (MIM, Italy)
• Accredia (Italian National Accreditation Body)
• Unioncamere (Italian Chambers of Commerce)
• Dintec (Consortium for Technological Innovation)
• Uninfo (IT Standards Body)
• Intertek Spa
• CISL Scuola (trade union)
• FLC CGIL (trade union)
• UIL Scuola RUA (trade union)
• ALL Digital (European network for digital skills)
• EGINA (European Grants International Academy)
• IDCERT Srl SB
• Fondazione Italia Digitale

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.

What the practice covers

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:

Examination structure

• DigComp: examination in 4 progressive steps (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Highly Advanced) with at least 84 questions (21 competences x 4 levels), 75% pass threshold, single continuous session
• DigCompEdu: examination in 3 progressive steps (A1-A2, B1-B2, C1-C2) with at least 132 questions (22 competences x 6 levels)
• Each question follows the KSA scenario (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes) to assess all competence descriptors

Digital identification

• Mandatory access via SPID, CIE, eIDAS or biometric KYC
• Real-time proctoring with a qualified supervisor
• Anti-cheating systems with AI agents, HD webcam monitoring and continuous recording

Certificates and Open Badges

• Certificates with UNI Mark and Accredia logo
• Digital Open Badge compliant with Open Badges 3.0 and W3C Verifiable Credentials
• Interoperability with IT Wallet, Europass Digital Credentials and European Learning Model (ELM)
• Certification valid for 2 years with renewal through full re-examination

Inclusivity

• Compensatory measures for people with special needs (learning disabilities, disabilities, maternity)
• No entry requirements: open to adults and minors (with authorisation)
• No mandatory preparatory training course

Why it matters

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:

1. Single standard -- Objective and measurable criteria for all certification bodies
2. Training-examination independence -- Prohibition of tying certification to course purchases
3. Full traceability -- Digital platforms with logs retained for at least 2 years
4. Institutional recognition -- UNI Mark + Accredia, recognised by public administration and the labour market
5. European perspective -- Designed to become a CEN standard and compatible with European competence certification systems

Italy, a world pioneer in DigComp certification

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:

ATA Rankings: the world's first mandatory DigComp requirement

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.

GPS 2026-2028: DigCompEdu certification enters teacher rankings

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:

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.

A country system that leads Europe

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.

How to participate

The public consultation is open to everyone -- training bodies, schools, universities, companies, professionals and citizens -- until 24 March 2026 through the official UNI portal.

The link with ExplorerHub

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.