CIPAD represents 64 plastics Association Directors acting in 49 countries from five continents and strives to maintain permanent ties and to establish an effective conference and communication network among plastics Associations Directors throughout the world. Because of an increasingly global business, the coordination of the work of plastics Associations around the world on issues and programs of international interest is of eminent value to the future of plastics.

CIPAD held its first meeting on June 21, 1969 in London, UK.  Originally called the Permanent Conference of Plastics Association Directors, the name was later changed to IPAD (International Plastics Associations Directors) on November 25, 1980 in Torremolinos, Spain. 

During a meeting on June 22, 1998 in Berlin, Germany, IPAD would become known as CIPAD (Council of International Plastics Associations Directors) in which a coordinating committee was formed and the meeting extended to two days.

CIPAD has established the following objectives to execute its mission:

• Promote the concept of cooperation and coherent communications on key policy issues and positions and to this end set priorities and allocate responsibilities to the Coordinating Committee and to key issue leaders;
• Establish an early warning system for identification and information sharing on critical issues and developments;
• Establish appropriate technical liaison among Associations on identified subjects which may lead to joint research or other projects;
• Cooperate in the development of effective means of enhancing the image of plastics and of the plastics industry;
• Cooperate where and when appropriate on international events such as plastics shows;
• Exchange statistical information and information of economic trends regarding the world plastics industry;
• Develop positions, policies and exchange information on environmental matters;
• Develop interaction with other global plastics oriented bodies;
• Exchange information on legislation, taxation and trade issues affecting plastics.