1957: Creation of the Secrétariat International des Groupements Professionnels des Industries Chimiques des Pays de la CEE (S.I.I.C.), which represents federations located in the European Common Market.

1959: Founding of a similar association, the Conseil Européen des Fédérations de l'Industrie Chimique (Cefic), representing federations in the European Free Trade Area (EFTA).

1972: To represent the whole of the Western European chemical industry more effectively, the executives of these two associations decide to establish a joint organisation. The result is an international association with a scientific aim (still called Cefic) whose federations promote the development of the chemical industry in the countries they represent.

1984: Cefic gives chemical companies more direct input into Cefic's affairs.

1989: Formation of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), comprising the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA), the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association (CCPA) and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic).

1990: The name changes to European Chemical Industry Council/Conseil Européen de l'Industrie Chimique, but the acronym Cefic is retained. Cefic membership is extended to corporate members (ACOM) and to federation members (AFEM).

1997: In addition to companies and National associations, Cefic sectors and affiliated organisations become more involved in the decision process.

2001: Cefic integrates into its operations specific businesses concerns and ensure that they are adequately represented. The General Assembly extends Cefic membership to Central European federations.

2006: The Board of Cefic endorsed the implementation of Chemistry for Europe (CfE) project, which is an in-depth review of the whole chemical industry representation network across Europe, aiming at improving efficiency and effectiveness and achieving one-voice advocacy.

Cefic sets up a new independent service unit, ReachCentrum , to help companies throughout the value chain initially with preparation and then with implementation of REACH.