On 11 July 1950, Germany, France, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Switzerland founded the ICPR in order to analyse the pollution of the Rhine, to recommend water protection measures, to harmonize monitoring and analysis methods and to exchange monitoring data.

For the benefit of the Rhine and of all waters running into the Rhine, the members of the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) – Switzerland, France, Germany, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the European Commission successfully co-operate with Austria, Liechtenstein and the Belgian region of Wallonia as well as Italy. Nine states and regions in the Rhine watershed closely co-operate in order to harmonize the many interests of use and protection in the Rhine area. Focal points of work are sustainable development of the Rhine, its alluvial areas and the good state of all waters in the watershed.

Working- and expert groups with clearly defined mandates work on all relevant technical issues arising from the implementation of the Convention on the Protection of the Rhine and from European law. Decisions are taken in the annual plenary assembly. The Conference of Rhine Ministers takes decisions in matters of political importance and establishes the basis for coherent, co-ordinated programmes of measure.

In the last decade of the last century the ICPR-activities were a model for many other river basins.

The co-operation along the Rhine was also behind the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Management directive of the EU.

The success of international cooperation which the states in the Rhine catchment obtained after long negotiations and the legally binding Conventions made the ICPR to an example to follow in environment and water protection and serves as a guideline for several organisations.