ISO/IEC 19796-1:2005 is a framework to describe, compare, analyse, and implement quality management and quality assurance approaches. It will serve to compare different existing approaches and to harmonize these towards a common quality model. The main aspect is the Reference Framework for the Description of Quality Approaches (RFDQ).

ISO/IEC 19796-1:2005 consists of the following items:

• description scheme for quality management;
• process model defining the basic processes to be considered when managing quality in the field of ICT-supported learning, education, and training;
• conformance statement for the description format.

For a better understanding of ISO/IEC 19796-1:2005, several annexes show samples of its use. The annexes are based on the French 'Code of Practice in e-Learning' (AFNOR Z 76-001) and German DIN PAS 1032-1. Additionally, an annex on Reference Quality Criteria (RQC) is included. These criteria serve as reference criteria for the analysis and evaluation of learning resources and scenarios. These criteria are also not a quality assessment approach itself, but a framework to compare different quality assurance and quality assessment approaches. Additionally, several examples of use are shown, such as specific quality objectives (e.g. metadata quality) and guidelines.

ISO/IEC 19796-1:2005 is only the first step towards a harmonized quality framework; the next step is to define quality instruments and metrics in order to provide a complete quality approach. It is planned to begin the work on the full quality approach as the second part of the QA activity.