Scientific Diving (SD) : The purpose of SD is the undertaking and delivery of underwater science.
It is needed :
• to support research and education ;
• for the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural environment.
It is neither recreational nor commercial diving.
SD exists in a health and safety framework that involves certified scientific divers, diving officers, scientific project leaders, heads of laboratories, administrators and legislators.

Membership status of the European Scientific Diving Panel (ESDP) is intended to facilitate both the establishment and monitoring of the implementation of accepted minimum standards for scientific diving within Europe.

A national scientific diving committee (NSDC) should be the principal body within a country that formally represents their own scientific diving community.

A national authority/body is one that has principal responsibility for vocational scientific diving ; it may be a governmental, funding or insurance agency that may qualify the divers and/or support their employment.