Each member society has one vote on the Council.

The first delineated activity is to support member societies regarding essential society functions.

Changes in national policy are carefully considered on behalf of member societies.

It is financed by dues of member societies, grants, and educational activities.

By 1840, the union had 44 member societies, representing more than 1,000 members.

The Federation provides a collective voice for its member societies.

Early issues included news from member societies and of local historical interest as well as a feature article.

Each member society successively holds the presidency and the secretariat for a period of two years.

It was founded in 1985 and currently has the following member societies:

As of May 2013, it has 39 member societies in 30 countries joining 162000 individual chemical engineers.