Competence-based approaches are frequently adopted as the key paradigm in both formal or non-formal education and training. To support the provision of competence-based learning services, it is necessary to be able to maintain a record of an individual's competences in a persistent and standard way. In this paper, we investigate potential issues related with the definition of a common metadata model for competencies description. This is done by applying the current state-of-the-art specification, IMS Reusable Definition of Competency or Educational Objective (IMS RDCEO), in a real case study, that is, the EuroPass Language Passport. We then identify four open issues with the description capabilities of the IMS RDCEO specification, and propose possible extensions to its information model, demonstrating their application in practice. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)