[2][3] The EUF has a membership consisting of a broad range of European training organisations, including for-profit and non-profit making bodies.

The EUF first became active in its modern form in 1989, initially comprising a number of non profit distributing European diver federations, then subsequently expanding to include the major profit distributing training agencies.

The EUF Certification Body, (which is also known as EUF Certification International) exists to offer the recreational scuba diving community a unified procedure of reliable and recognised proof of the quality of scuba diving training services based on European and ISO standards.

It audits diver training organisations and service providers and, where appropriate, certifies them as complying with the relevant standards.

The award will be presented at the beginning of each year to an individual who the members of the EUF feel has made a significant and sustained contribution towards the responsible development of the European diving community.