In the late 1960s, IUPAC formally established the Commission on Macromolecular Nomenclature (Commission IV.1), which subsequently became the leading nomenclature body in the polymer field. In 1999 it was superseded by the Subcommittee on Macromolecular Terminology, later renamed as the Subcommittee on Polymer Terminology. As well as being tasked with establishing terminological rules and definitions, the Subcommittee also advises the Chemical Nomenclature and Structure Representation Division (VIII) on the development of polymer nomenclature.

As the former Commission, rules were developed for naming regular single-strand macromolecules, copolymer molecules, irregular macromolecules, ladder and spiro macromolecules, and nonlinear and network polymers. Rules for representing the structures of macromolecules were also developed. Latterly, while still addressing issues of polymer nomenclature, the Subcommittee has worked to standardize the terminology used in polymer science. Amongst other topics, it has developed a glossary of basic terms, and made recommendations concerning the terminology of assemblies of polymer molecules and non-linear macromolecules, polymer solutions, polymer crystals, types of polymerization, kinetics and thermodynamics of polymerization, degradation and aging of polymers, and the mechanical behavior of polymers.

Since its inception, the Subcommittee has attracted the participation of scientists from academia, the publishing houses, and the polymer industry.

• View History of the Macromolecular Nomenclature and Terminology in IUPAC, including membership and references of the original publications.