IPEC is a federation of four independent regional industry associations headquartered in the United States (IPEC-Americas), Europe (IPEC Europe), Japan (JPEC) and China (IPEC China). Each association focuses its attention on the applicable law, regulations, science, and business practices of its region. The four associations work together on excipient safety and public health issues, in connection with international trade matters, and to achieve harmonization of regulatory standards and pharmacopoeial monographs.

Key objectives for the Federation will be harmonisation of standards, promoting supply chain security, and the further development of third-party certification, as well as providing a source of advice and expertise for other stakeholders on excipients.

Over 300 national and multinational excipient makers, producers, and companies which use excipients in finished drug dosage forms are members of one or more of the three IPEC regional units.