The CIPM is made up of eighteen individuals, each from a different Member State under the Metre Convention. Its principal task is to promote world-wide uniformity in units of measurement and it does this by direct action or by submitting draft resolutions to the General Conference (CGPM).

The CIPM meets annually at the BIPM and, among other matters, discusses reports presented to it by its Consultative Committees. Reports of the meetings of the CGPM, the CIPM, and all the Consultative Committees, are published by the BIPM.

discuss the work of the BIPM under the delegated authority of the CGPM;

issue an Annual Report on the administrative and financial position of the BIPM to the governments of the Member States of the Metre Convention;

discuss metrological work that Member States decide to do in common, and set up and coordinate activities between specialists in metrology;

make appropriate Recommendations;

commission reports in preparation for CGPMs, for example the "Blevin" and "Kaarls" reports, and others such as the SI Brochure.

Members of the CIPM act as Presidents of the Consultative Committees.