Since October 1995, EUROCONTROL and the ICAO EUR/NAT regional Office have worked together to develop and maintain a common database of facilities and services required for international air navigation within the EUR/NAT region.

In February 1998, the first internet application on the EUROCONTROL website was developed to support the allocation process of five-letter name-codes used for the identification of significant points (for ATS routes) not marked by the site of a radio navigation aid and Designators for ATS Routes. This application was named ICARD.

In September 2008, the application was updated to support ICAO process in the maintenance of the European ATS Route Network in the Air Navigation Plan.

The database is also loaded with ICAO designators and indicators issued by ICAO Headquarters.