The Commission on XAFS was established at the Seattle General Assembly in 1996.

In the following by XAFS is meant the fine structure associated with the inner shell excitation (both near edge and extended) by various probes (e.g., absorption or scattering of X-ray, electrons), and related techniques for which the data is interpreted on the same physical basis.

The terms of reference for the Commission are:

• To advise the IUCr on organizing or sponsoring sessions on small-molecule structural analysis at Congresses and conferences.
• To promote and coordinate scientific exchange between countries in the field of small-molecule structural analysis.
• To cooperate with the Commissions of the Union on matters dealing with small-molecule structural analysis.
• To cooperate with other international bodies concerned in small-molecule structural analysis.