The Commission on Crystallographic Nomenclature comprises an elected Chairperson and ex officio members, namely the editors of the Union's journals and International Tables, the Chairman of the IUCr/OUP Book series Committee, the Chairman of the Teaching Commission, the Chairman of the Committee for the Maintenance of the Crystallographic Information File Standard, the President and the General Secretary of the IUCr.

Nomenclature problems arising in specific fields of crystallography that come to the attention of, and are recognised as important by, the Commission are studied by ad hoc committees of experts appointed by the Commission. The reports of these working groups, after acceptance by the Commission and the Executive Committee, are published in Acta Crystallographica, Section A.

The results of past working groups, together with their recommendations, are contained in the Published Reports list.

Crystallographers are invited to bring additional nomenclature problems to the attention of any Commission member.