NiPERA Inc. is the Nickel Institute’s independently-incorporated science division and is committed to supporting scientifically-sound research and promoting general awareness of the care required in producing, handling, using and disposing of nickel. NiPERA ensures awareness of the current state of the science on the potential health and environmental effects associated with producing and using nickel, nickel compounds, and alloys by: • Initiating and funding research investigations, studies and surveys relevant to the human and environmental health effects of nickel exposure • Formulating and managing nickel-related research and disseminating results to both the nickel industry and scientific and regulatory communities • Performing risk assessments of nickel-containing substances and mixtures for regulatory purposes • Providing workplace guidance regarding occupational exposure monitoring and health assessments • Keeping Nickel Institute Members informed on relevant papers, presentations, ongoing research, scientific meetings, and worldwide regulatory activities addressing nickel-related health and environmental issues NiPERA commissions research projects that are conducted by global experts on nickel, including academic laboratories, government organizations, private laboratories and consultancies that are independent of the nickel industry. NiPERA develops its research objectives and program with independent scientists and regulatory experts. Studies supporting these objectives aim to determine safe levels of exposure for nickel workers, the public, and the environment. NiPERA closely tracks worldwide regulatory initiatives on nickel and its compounds. It routinely provides comments to both regulatory and non-regulatory organizations on documents or decisions affecting the nickel industry. NiPERA was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1980 and became an independently-incorporated division of the Nickel Institute in 2004. As of November 2018 NiPERA Inc. has 8 toxicologists, 1 operations support staff, 1 IT support staff, 2 finance staff.