The Association's function is to promote Environmental Health and to educate, advise and heighten the awareness of Environmental Health issues among the public and the profession.

The EHOA is a non government Association and is a professional body that represents those engaged in the environment and health protection fields.

Our Members are primarily drawn from professionals working in the Health Service Executive, Local Authorities and central and local government. Other members work in the national government agencies and in private industry.

Through its members the organisation is actively involved in promoting an awareness of current and emerging environmental health issues. It is also involved in providing submissions to government proposals and is represented on a number of policy and standards committees.

 The EHOA administrative structure comprises of five honorary officers', Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. These reports to a central council which makes all decisions in relation to the running of Association.

The EHOA is divided into eight branches around Ireland as per the now defunct eight Health Board regions.  The members of the eight branches are represented at the national Central Council by two delegates.  Central Council meets on a quarterly basis where all decisions involving the Association, the members, the current and future activities of the Association and any new or emerging issues that may affect the profession are decided. Each region also has its own officer board and committees which deal with issues in their individual regions.

The Association provides and validates courses in Food Safety for Food Workers, and Managers of Catering establishments. The Association is currently working with the Food Safety Promotions Board in association with the Department of Education & Science to provide a Food Hygiene Course for students in Second Level Schools nationwide. It is envisaged that this will result in most students leaving second level with a basic qualification in the Principles and Practises of Food Safety.

As part of the commitment to the development the of profession and improvement of peoples health and environment, the EHOA have several awards and bursaries which they award throughout the year to individuals and worthy charities. Awards

The EHOA has a long and proud heritage, being founded in 1949. History

It is a member of the International Federation of Environmental Health.www.ifeh.org/

In June of 2006 the EHOA hosted the ninth IFEH World Congress in Dublin.