The aim of the Society is to foster the study of inherited metabolic disorders and related topics. The Society, founded in 1963, exists to promote exchange of ideas between professional workers in different disciplines who are interested in inherited metabolic disease.

The Society is pursuing this aim by arranging scientific meetings, publications and in other ways considered appropriate by the Council. The Council is also supported by advisory council members who provide advice and meet with the Council at the annual symposium.

The Society, a registered charity, accepts donations from sponsors sympathetic to its aims. The Council, within its financial resources, is willing to spread interest and study in inborn errors around the world by selectively supporting membership and attendance at conferences from areas of the world where financial resources are more limited. Not funding research, but offering on request, advice to other organisations who do. The Society is also a limited company and the liability of members in the event that the Society is wound up is limited to £1 per member.