Since its inception in 1979, the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) has aimed for tripartite representation in its governance and its activities, among academia, business and government.

SETAC is an open and democratic organization dealing with environmental sciences and operating in a broad social context, reflecting the needs of the environment and people and their interactions.

The membership of SETAC consists of Members, Associate Members, Senior Active Members, Emeritus Members, Student Members, Recent Graduate Members, Sustaining/Affiliate Members, and Global Partner/Global Affiliate Members as defined in the SETAC Constitution and By-Laws. Members, Emeritus Members, Associate Members, and Senior Active Members constitute the voting membership of the Society; Members and Emeritus Members may hold office within SETAC. Members are qualified professionals who share the stated purpose of the Society and who have education, research or applied experience in environmental sciences, education and management.

The affairs of the Society are managed by the membership through the SETAC World Council (SWC). The SWC consists of 15 voting representatives with the goal of equal representation from government, business and academia. The SWC includes proportional representation from each Geographic Unit (GU), as defined in the By-Laws.

All Members belong to SETAC and are represented and administered by the Geographic Unit in which they reside. Geographic Units may be further subdivided into Regional Chapters or Branches at the discretion of the governing body of the Geographic Unit.