IPEP/ABIH Joint Announcement | The Institute of Professional Environmental Practice:

IPEP/ABIH Joint Announcement

IPEP/ABIH Joint Announcement
January 25, 2016

The governing bodies of The Institute of Professional Environmental Practice® (IPEP®) and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene® (ABIH®) announce a new collaboration in 2016 to bring their respected credentials, the Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP)/Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) and the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), to a wider audience of professionals.

Independent governance of each organization and credential will remain intact, although the organizations will be sharing operations and management services, allowing a greater portion of existing operational resources to be allocated to innovation and outreach. IPEP operations will move from Pittsburgh, PA, to ABIH headquarters in Lansing, MI.

Many environmental professionals are responsible for issues of worker health and safety on the job, and many industrial hygienists must account for the environmental impact of processes inside and outside of facilities in order to provide informed and proper care for workers. The leadership of both organizations recognized the synergies in their respective practice fields and has resolved to bring that spirit to the operations and outreach of both organizations moving forward, resulting in improved public recognition of credentialed-practitioners and better public protection.

“The industries that challenge themselves to continually develop and build are the ones that ultimately prosper. Each of our organizations brings different perspectives to the table, and we are committed to building on our strengths together. We are excited about the start of this collaboration and the possibilities that it opens up for our practitioners to improve the practice of environmental professionals around the world.”

J. Cressend Schonberg, QEP, Chair
The Institute of Professional Environmental Practice

“Our mission is to protect the public by providing high-quality credentials for our practitioners that are meaningful to employers. While this collaboration is a groundbreaking change for our boards, our practitioners already recognize the opportunities and similarities between our two professions. Many Certified-Industrial Hygienists® (CIHs) do environmental work, and many Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs) hold the CIH® credential. Our new relationship will help both organizations to grow and thrive, and more importantly, it will enable our practitioners to keep individuals and families healthy and safe in every environment.”

Susan Ripple, CIH, Chair
American Board of Industrial Hygiene