Our history

Coat of arms - Our motto: Amicus Humani Generis

The translation is ‘Friend of the Human Race’ which sums up the role of members of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, who are concerned about people’s health, safety and wellbeing – the things that are crucial to life itself.

The CIEH’s history can be traced back to the 1840s. Edwin Chadwick, a Poor Law Commissioner, conducted an inquiry into the causes of poverty which concluded that people often became poor because of ill health due to a bad environment. He believed that improving sanitation was the key to breaking this vicious circle.

Chadwick led a vigorous campaign for change which eventually won over the establishment, resulting in the Public Health Act 1848. The Act provided for the appointment of Inspectors of Nuisances – the forerunners of today’s environmental health practitioners – in areas of need. 

The Association of Public Sanitary Inspectors – the organisation which was to become the CIEH – was established in 1883. Over subsequent decades, the role of environmental health practitioners changed and grew, with standards of qualification rising until, in the 1960s, it became a graduate profession. The grant of a Royal Charter in 1984 set the seal on this enhanced role and status.

Training through the decades

The Public Health (London) Act 1891 required sanitary inspectors to gain the Certificate of the Sanitary Inspectors Examination Board. The qualification was updated in 1942, with the introduction of a three-stage Diploma Examination in Sanitary Science and Administration.

In 1951, a Ministry of Health working party examined the training of sanitary inspectors. A new diploma that was completed after formal training helped raise standards. This led to another change in title, to public health inspector. Environmental health finally became a graduate profession in the 1960s, when diplomas were phased out and replaced by degree courses.

In 1974, general public health work became the responsibility of the National Health Service. Environmental health work remained in local government. Today, the CIEH continues to promote the importance and standing of environmental health in local government as well as in a range of other organisations.