The Organization History

The Antimony Oxide Industry Association (AOIA) was formed in 1978 to meet the requirements of the antimony oxide industry in the USA. At the time the priority of the AOIA was to support the US Environmental Protection Agency’s initiative (US EPA) to carry out carcinogenic studies.
In 1983, the AOIA was commissioned to conduct an inhalation study with rats.
The peer reviewed study concluded that the exposure did not cause cancerous tumours in the lungs of rats.
Over the years the Association continued to submit studies and inform the US government on many health issues.

In 2000, the International Antimony Oxide Industry Association (IAOIA) was formed by European and American (AOIA) antimony trioxide producers and the Japanese Mining Industry Association (JMIA) to develop a scientific programme and formal stakeholder communications on antimony trioxide.

In 2001, the US-based Antimony Oxide Industry Association (AOIA) ceased to exist and all relative work was continued solely by the International Association, IAOIA.

In 2004, the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC) joined the IAOIA membership.

A category for associate members has been added in recent years to meet the demand for other stakeholders to become involved in the organization.
These stakeholders, including producers of related products, distributors and consumers choose to actively participate in issues that relate to antimony trioxide.

With the major producers of antimony trioxide worldwide united, IAOIA has a strong voice to defend its product.

To meet the REACH regulatory requirements, IAOIA broadened its scope to cover other antimony compounds as well.

Since January 2008, the Association became the International Antimony Association (i2a).
It is a Belgian non-profit industry Association (vzw).