Organization

The CHR is a permanent, autonomous, international commission which undertakes its activities throughout the entire Rhine basin. It is incorporated as a foundation in the Netherlands. The CHR comprises permanent representatives of the member states (coordinators) and a secretariat. The permanent representatives are responsible for involving national public and private sector research organizations which play a significant role in water management.

The presidency alternates between the member states. The President supports the work of the CHR, sets new incentives, represents the commission in public and chairs commission meetings. The office of the secretariat is located at RIZA (Institute for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment) in the Netherlands. The Secretary supports the President in his activities and supports the working groups and reporters. The CHR meets twice a year. The commission:

• defines CHR's strategy and programme of activities,
• creates and safeguards good relations with scientific and hydrological services in the Rhine riparian states and the EU, as well as with international organizations,
• takes decisions on projects to pursue and on the publication of completed projects.

The CHR co-ordinates its activities with other international organizations, most notably those in the Rhine basin. The secretary of the ICPR (International Rhine Commission) attends the CHR meetings. CHR members take part in ICPR working groups.