European structures of qualification levels were examined through a review of reports on recent developments in Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The examination focused on the following topics: the scope of the national frameworks; the definition of standards and qualifications; the definition of levels in qualification frameworks; development and maintenance of standards and qualifications; classification of qualifications at the tertiary level; and the European 1985 five-level framework and the national structures. None of the countries studied had a classification system consisting of one unique (monopolistic) set of qualifications serving as a reference frame to certify a wide variety of learning and work experience at an exhaustive range of levels. England and France came the closest. The analysis of the countries studied and their approach to level frameworks was said to underline a general need for establishing such frameworks at least on the national level to ensure transparency and coherence. (The following items are appended: (1) 136 references; (2) the text of the European five-level framework; (3) the description format of national classification systems; (4) a description of the International Standard Classification of Education-97 levels, classification criteria, and subcategories; and (5) a list of abbreviations and acronyms.) (MN)