The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) announced that Brazil has officially resumed its status as a National Adhering Organization (NAO). The NAO status was reviewed and approved by the IUPAC Executive Board in its meeting on October 1, 2025. This renewed membership will now be represented through the Federal Council of Chemistry (Conselho Federal de Química – CFQ), marking a significant milestone for the Brazilian scientific community and restoring Brazil’s role in shaping global chemical standards, policy, education, and collaboration.
As a federal public institution, the CFQ oversees Brazil’s professional chemistry system, which includes 21 Regional Councils of Chemistry (CRQs) and represents more than 218,000 professionals and around 50,000 registered legal entities nationwide. Together, they form a unified network that ensures the ethical, technical, and scientific integrity of chemical practice throughout the country.
Brazil’s return to IUPAC reaffirms the country’s long-standing contributions to chemistry in research, innovation, and industrial development. The renewed membership is expected to benefit scientists, educators, and professionals nationwide, facilitating deeper cooperation with international partners and supporting the advancement of chemistry across academia and industry.
“It is truly excellent news that Brazil is back as an IUPAC National Adhering Organization,” said Prof. Aldo José Gorgatti Zarbin, Permanent Member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences and Vice President of the Brazilian Association for the Advancement of Science. “The CFQ’s leading role in assuming this responsibility is fundamental as Brazil brings a vibrant and innovative chemistry community. Its return will strengthen both IUPAC and the scientific landscape across Latin America.”
The decision follows years of continued engagement by Brazilian institutions, including active participation in global IUPAC initiatives such as the Global Women’s Breakfast, for which Brazil coordinated and hosted more than a dozen events in 2024 alone, helping to foster a more collaborative and inclusive chemical sciences community. Brazil’s chemistry community continues to play a visible role on the international stage and has a recognized tradition of scientific leadership. Most notably, Brazil hosted the 2017 IUPAC General Assembly and World Chemistry Congress in São Paulo, the first time the event was held in South America, marking a historic moment that celebrated the breadth and excellence of Brazilian chemical research and collaboration.
Looking Ahead. Brazil’s renewed membership comes at a moment of growing regional momentum. Together with the recent inclusion of Peru and Guatemala, the return marks a strengthened Latin American presence in IUPAC and creates new opportunities for cooperation. The CFQ intends to contribute to this regional momentum by promoting initiatives focused on green chemistry, education, and sustainable innovation, aligning Brazil’s chemical sector with IUPAC’s global agenda for responsible science and development.
“I sincerely hope that Brazil’s return, together with the recent adhesion of Peru and Guatemala, will mark the beginning of a stronger and more united Latin American presence in IUPAC,” wrote IUPAC Past President Javier García Martínez, celebrating the news and expressing confidence in the region’s leadership role.
A sign of continued international engagement, Brazil will host the Atlantic Basin Conference on Chemistry in Rio de Janeiro in December 2026 under the theme “Chemistry for Global Impact: Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Innovation.” This event will bring leading researchers, policymakers, and industry innovators together to advance solutions to global challenges through chemical science.
“The Federal Council of Chemistry is proud to represent Brazil once again within IUPAC, reinforcing our shared commitment to the advancement of chemical sciences worldwide,” said Prof. Dr. José de Ribamar Oliveira Filho, President of the CFQ. “This renewed membership strengthens Brazil’s position in the global scientific community and opens new possibilities for joint initiatives that will benefit professionals, researchers, and society as a whole.”
About the Federal Council of Chemistry (CFQ)
The Federal Council of Chemistry (CFQ) is responsible for regulating and overseeing the professional practice of chemistry in Brazil, promoting the development of the chemical sciences and strengthening the nation’s scientific and industrial sectors. Together with 21 Regional Councils of Chemistry (CRQs), the CFQ forms the System CFQ/CRQs, which represents more than 218,000 professionals and approximately 50,000 registered legal entities across all regions of the country.
Beyond its regulatory functions, the CFQ acts as a bridge between science, education, industry, and public policy, fostering innovation and ensuring that chemistry contributes to improving quality of life and environmental sustainability in Brazil.
The CFQ’s mission is to promote the full and ethical practice of chemistry, contributing to the sustainable development of Brazil and ensuring that the chemical sciences serve society with safety, quality, and innovation.
More information about CFQ: gabinete@cfq.org.br/ Website: www.cfq.org.br
About IUPAC
IUPAC was formed in 1919 by chemists from industry and academia. Since then, the Union has succeeded in fostering worldwide communications in the chemical sciences and in uniting academic, industrial and public sector chemistry in a common language. IUPAC is recognized as the world authority on chemical nomenclature, terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data. In more recent years, IUPAC has been pro-active in establishing a wide range of conferences and projects designed to promote and stimulate modern developments in chemistry, and also to assist in aspects of chemical education and the public understanding of chemistry.
More information about IUPAC and its activities is available at iupac.org.