About 1200 chemists around the world work in the eight divisions of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry to standardize the international nomenclature for chemistry. They also address higher-level issues affecting the field, such as socio-political questions on the application of chemistry in daily life and the environment.

The association was founded in 1919 for the purposes of establishing unambiguous, uniform nomenclature for chemical substances. Today it counts 45 national professional associations for chemistry as well as others from another 20 countries among its members. Over the years, the mission was expanded to include general topics for the application of chemistry in the service of mankind.