The International Federation of Societies of Toxicologic Pathologists (IFSTP) is a coalition of national and regional Toxicologic Pathology Societies (STPs) that was founded in 1989. Serving as a coordinating and initiating organization, the IFSTP’s operations are overseen by its member societies, which provide funding and volunteer support to carry out its activities. The Federation is managed by an Executive Committee consisting of one delegate from each member society, along with an elected president, vice-president, secretary-general, and treasurer. These leadership roles rotate among the member societies.
The primary purpose of the IFSTP is to develop, unify, and establish standards within the field of toxicologic pathology, support educational initiatives, promote the creation of new toxicologic pathology societies, and advocate on behalf of its members in regulatory matters. To fulfill this mission, the IFSTP co-sponsors annual meetings with member societies, awards financial prizes to trainees in toxicologic pathology, supports educational symposia, lectures, and webinars, and offers expert opinions related to the discipline.
Regarding its history, the IFSTP was established in 1989 by the societies from France, the Germany/Switzerland/Austria region (now the European STP), Japan, North America, and the United Kingdom. In 1995, the Nordic and Netherlands societies joined, followed by Italy in 1996. The International Academy of Toxicologic Pathologists (IATP) was founded by the IFSTP in 1999. The Federation became a registered nonprofit organization in 2000. Subsequently, Korea joined in 2002, and the Indian and Latin American societies became members in 2009.