ICP Materials is one of several ICPs under the Working Group on Effects (WGE) of the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) as described in the CLRTAP Organizational Structure. A Task Force consisting of representatives from all countries participating in ICP Materials is responsible for the implementation of the programme. Countries are participating in the programme at different levels of activities by offering a main research centre, research sub-centres and test sites on their territories. The individual participants can be found in the list of Task Force members with official roles. Main research centre
Sweden has been appointed lead country providing the programme with the Main Research Centre, Swerea KIMAB AB (former Swedish Corrosion Institute). Since 2005 the chairmanship is shared by Sweden and Italy (ENEA), which together are responsible for the co-ordination and organisation of the programme. Important tasks include planning of Task Force meetings and workshops, report on progress to the Working Group on Effects (WGE), participation in meetings of the Extended Bureau of WGE and preparation of official technical reports to WGE including contributions to substantive reports. Sweden is responsible for the organisation of the trend exposures and for performing statistical evaluations.
Sub-centre for cultural heritage
Italy through ENEA is responsible for the sub-centre for stock of materials at risk and cultural heritage which includes use of results including mapping, stock at risk and economic evaluations aimed especially at objects of cultural heritage.
Environment centre
Norway is providing the programme with the environmental sub-centre, the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). Its tasks consist of the establishment, quality control and maintenance of the environmental database, and the evaluation and reporting of general characteristics, including trends, of the environmental data.
Materials sub- centres
Czech Republic, Switzerland, France and United Kingdom are providing the programme with materials sub-centres. Each sub-centre is responsible for a material or group of materials. The tasks are the preparation of samples for exposure, including distribution to site contacts, the evaluation of corrosion attack after exposure using standardised or well-established methods. The results should then be evaluated by the sub-centre in a statistical evaluation documented in a written report; and the centre should also provide expert input to the uniform statistical evaluation.