During the 4th IRPA International Congress in 1977 the International Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee (INIRC) was created. This Committee was the immediate forerunner of ICNIRP which was chartered as an independent Commission in 1992 during the IRPA 7th International Congress. As per its Charter, ICNIRP was to seek incorporation as a non-profit making scientific body. It is registered as a registered association in the register of associations (Vereinsregister) in Germany. It's Secretariat is based in Munich. ICNIRP is also a formally recognized non-governmental organization in non-ionizing radiation for the World Health Organization and the International Labour Office.
Since the beginnings of INIRC and ICNIRP, its members have devoted their scientific efforts to providing independent advice on non-ionizing radiation and health. Today this work is carried out, not only by the main Commission, but through the expertise of the members of its four scientific Standing Committees on Epidemiology, Biology, Physics and Engineering and Optical Radiation. More recently ICNIRP has added an ever larger range of specific skills and expertise to its membership through the appointment of Consulting Members. Thus ICNIRP aspires to providing the most authoritative independent expert advice on matters relating to non-ionizing radiation and health and to consult widely in formulating and promulgating such advice.
