RSTC Europe was formed in 1994 and has become the most well-known standard making body in the recreational scuba diving business. All the affiliated organisations in an RSTC Council agree to establish minimum safety standards for the training of divers and dive instructors, this improves understanding between members as well as results in an increased acceptance of the diving industry at European and a global level.

The influence of the RSTC Europe member training organisations extends across large parts of the globe, particularly Europe, the Red Sea and the Maldives, and millions of recreational scuba divers have been trained by them.

RSTC Europe not only publishes and enforces standards for the training of divers, it also acts as a unified body representing the interests of companies delivering recreational diver training across Europe so is able to act as a spokesperson for the industry to governments and similar bodies.

RSTC Europe is member of the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC), an organization dedicated to the worldwide safety of the recreational diving public. Through it’s membership, the WRSTC is the mechanism for worldwide cooperation in reaching international consistency in minimum course training standards. Member Councils recognize and accept responsibility for the promotion of worldwide safety of the recreational diving public, international consistency of training standards and worldwide credibility of the WRSTC.