IChO Regulations

Rules & Guidelines

Ensure fair and transparent participation at the International Chemistry Olympiad by following these core regulations.

1. Eligibility

Participants must be secondary school students under the age of 20, who have not commenced university studies and are selected through their national competition.

2. Team Composition

Each participating country may send up to four student competitors and two accompanying adults (mentors).

3. Exam Structure

The Olympiad includes one theoretical and one practical exam. Each exam is designed to assess a broad understanding of chemistry, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

4. Conduct & Fairness

Any form of cheating, communication during exams, or violation of ethical conduct may result in disqualification of individuals or entire teams.

5. Language

English is the official language of IChO. All tasks, discussions, and materials are translated by each country's mentors into their students' native language.

For complete details and special participation procedures, we encourage you to download the full IChO 2026 Regulations document.

Download Regulations (PDF)