The European First Aid Certificate was created by the resolution of the Directors General of the Red Cross National Societies of the European Union in May 1993. The objective was to create a tool that could be used to teach first-aid gestures to as many European citizens as possible and to ultimately have first-aid diplomas recognised throughout Europe. To ensure equal standards and to have a recognition throughout Europe, a minimum programme was determined.

The reference document was updated in October 2004, during the First Aid Education Network meeting, one of the main change is the setting-up of an 'EFAC representatives' group.