I O M

What I O M does

IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) is an independent Scottish research charity founded in 1969, originally established by the National Coal Board to investigate lung disease in coal miners. It has been self-funding since 1990 and today operates as a 101–250-person organisation delivering scientific research, consultancy, and accredited laboratory services in occupational and environmental health. The core proposition is independent, science-led advice on exposure assessment, hazardous substance control, hospital ventilation, and policy evaluation, delivered to employers, regulators, healthcare providers, and the legal sector. Service lines include occupational hygiene (COSHH assessment, dust/fume/vibration/noise monitoring, face fit testing, remote monitoring), UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis (asbestos, crystalline silica, metals via ICP-AES, ion chromatography, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, PPE whole-suit testing, hazard assessment/toxicology), hospital ventilation Authorising Engineer services, and consultancy/expert witness work for occupational disease litigation. Proprietary technology assets include the IOM Inhalable Dust Sampler, the Walton-Beckett microscope eyepiece graticule (incorporated into WHO asbestos methods), the SafeNano Centre of Excellence, and the IOMLIFET exposure assessment tool.

The business model is professional services fee-for-engagement: revenues come from research contracts (HSE, EU-OSHA, WHO, NIHR), consultancy and expert witness retainers, and laboratory testing on a quote basis. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; terms specify per-proposal estimates valid 30 days, charge-out rates that include travel time, and the right to revise fees on engagements exceeding six months. The organisation operates from a headquarters and main laboratory at Pentland Science Park (Edinburgh) following a January 2026 relocation, with regional offices in Stafford and Chesterfield. Customer segments are diversified across industrial/manufacturing, healthcare and NHS trusts, construction and property management, education, legal services, and chemical/nanotechnology. Distribution is direct sales-led through a small in-house team, supported by content marketing (IOM Today blog, impact reports), conference presence, and LinkedIn activity. Accreditations include WHO Collaborating Centre status (since 1995), UKAS testing laboratory No. 0374, IHEEM Authorising Engineer, and ISO 14001:2015 — collectively a significant barrier to entry in regulated occupational health work.

Name

I O M

Legal name

Institute of Occupational Medicine

Website

https://iom-world.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) is a Scottish research charity founded in 1969 that provides scientific research, UKAS-accredited laboratory testing, occupational hygiene consultancy, and hospital ventilation Authorising Engineer services to employers, NHS trusts, regulators, and the legal sector across 40+ industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Health Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Medical Laboratories (621511), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Occupational Health & Industrial Hygiene (BPAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Particulate & Dust Exposure Monitoring (Silica, Asbestos, PM) (EUAHAGAB), Occupational Exposure Laboratory Services (Analytical Testing & Chain-of-Custody) (EUAHAGAL), Occupational Health & Employer Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAK), Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing & Monitoring (HSAOAIAD), Biological Exposure Monitoring (Bioaerosols, Mold, Pathogens) (EUAHAGAF), Ergonomics & Musculoskeletal Risk Assessments (EUAHAGAH)

Keywords

• Occupational hygiene consulting
• Environmental health research
• Workplace exposure assessment
• Laboratory testing services
• Hospital ventilation validation

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Research and Consultancy Services: IOM generates revenue through providing scientific research, consultancy, and expert advisory services to organizations across multiple sectors. Services include occupational hygiene consulting, exposure assessments, ergonomics evaluations, and policy evaluations. Payment is based on project proposals with fee estimates and charge-out rates for consultant time.
2. Laboratory Testing Services: UKAS accredited laboratory services for testing samples including asbestos, dust, crystalline silica, metals, pharmaceuticals, solvents, lead in paint, and microbiological analysis. Services are offered on a quote-based model with quick quote forms available.
3. Expert Witness Services: Legal expert witness services providing independent assessments and opinions for occupational disease civil litigation in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
4. Training and Publications: Training services, technical memorandum series, and published scientific papers contribute to revenue generation through professional education and knowledge products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IOM is an independent scientific research and consultancy organisation that delivers occupational and environmental health services. Its core offerings comprise occupational hygiene consulting (COSHH assessments, dust, noise, vibration, welding fume exposure), UKAS-accredited laboratory testing (asbestos, fibres, metals, dust, silica, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, solvents, lead in paint, PPE testing), hospital ventilation validation and Authorising Engineer services, expert witness support for occupational disease litigation, ergonomics assessment, and independent research spanning air pollution, nanomaterials, occupational cancer, and musculoskeletal disorders.

Product overview

IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) is a research charity founded in 1969 offering a portfolio of occupational health, safety, and environmental services. The organization operates through distinct service lines including: Occupational Hygiene Services (COSHH assessment, dust exposure, face fit testing, noise monitoring, hand-arm vibration, welding fumes); Laboratory Services (UKAS accredited testing for asbestos, fibres, dust, crystalline silica, metals, lead in paint, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, solvents, toxicology, and PPE testing); Hospital Ventilation Services (authorising engineer, design review, validation testing, microbiological monitoring); Consultancy Services (asbestos, expert witness, ergonomics, chemical risk regulation, nanomaterial safety); and Scientific Research. IOM also offers Air Quality Sensors as a product. These services are delivered through a team of scientists, engineers, hygienists, and ventilation experts to help employers protect employees and ensure regulatory compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SafeNano: Centre of excellence for the safety of nanomaterials, established in 2005 with UK Government funding.

Products and services

• Occupational Hygiene Services Comprehensive workplace health and safety assessment services including COSHH assessment, dust exposure monitoring, face fit testing, hand-arm vibration assessment, noise monitoring, thermal exposure monitoring, welding fumes assessment, indoor air quality monitoring, and Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) compliance. Targeted at industrial, manufacturing, construction, and other organisations required to manage hazardous substance exposure in the UK.
• Laboratory Services UKAS-accredited laboratory testing services covering asbestos and other fibres analysis, dust and crystalline silica testing, metals and acid anions testing, lead in paint analysis, microbiology, pharmaceuticals analysis, solvents and organic chemicals testing, hazard assessment and toxicology, dustiness testing of bulk powders, and PPE whole suit testing. Available to industrial, healthcare, construction, legal, and education customers.
• Hospital Ventilation Services Comprehensive hospital ventilation engineering services including Authorising Engineer services, design review, independent review, diathermic pen and electrosurgical tool testing, microbiological monitoring, systems refurbishment and upgrade, validation and verification testing, and training. Targeted at NHS trusts, private hospitals, and other critical healthcare environments requiring HTM-compliant ventilation.
• Consultancy Services Expert consultancy services covering asbestos services, expert witness services (occupational disease litigation), ergonomics and human factors assessment, chemical risk and regulatory compliance (REACH, CLP/GHS), and nanomaterials and chemicals safety assessment. Targeted at law firms, manufacturers, employers, and legal teams across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
• Scientific Research Services Independent research expertise spanning air pollution, agriculture and pesticides, asthma and lung diseases, COVID-19, exposure to chemicals and dust, nanomaterials, human exposure assessments, neurodegenerative diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, occupational cancer, sustainable working, and climate change impacts. Undertaken for government, regulators (HSE, EU-OSHA, WHO), supranational bodies, and academic partners.
• Air Quality Sensors Air quality monitoring sensors and equipment for improving workplace air quality and maintaining compliance with exposure standards. Supplied to industrial, construction, and commercial employers seeking real-time or supplemental monitoring alongside occupational hygiene services.
• Nano Material Services Specialist nanomaterial safety assessment and risk evaluation services, drawing on IOM's European collaborative research on nano-sized materials safety since 2005 and the SafeNano centre of excellence. Includes nano safety assessments, REACH compliance support, and nanomaterial characterisation for chemical manufacturers and nanotechnology companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Air pollution causes 28,000-36,000 premature deaths annually in the UK; IOM's research contributes to evidence base for air quality interventions.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Huw Wilkins Associates (HWA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2023HWA became part of the IOM group, incorporating into the IOM brand to provide even greater expertise in occupational hygiene industry. Founder Huw Wilkins to cement legacy with trusted organisation.
• Dr. Miranda LohcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2022Joined IOM's senior management team as Director of Science and Engagement, bringing expertise from previous roles in occupational health research.
• Institute of Ergonomics and Hygiene (IEH) - Formerly IOM SingaporeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021IOM Singapore operated as a branch from 2012-2021 before becoming independent under the new identity of Institute of Ergonomics and Hygiene (IEH) to pursue its own path in occupational hygiene services.
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Ongoing collaborative research projects including PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study and Behavioural Factors of Face Mask Use study. HSE-commissioned research on occupational health and safety.
• European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Commissioned by EU-OSHA for multiple research projects including national policies on work-related musculoskeletal disorders prevention and Risk Observatory studies.
• British Safety CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint research project 'Being Well in a Changing World' investigating employer practices for workforce wellbeing support, setting guidance for industry.
• University of AberdeencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Long-standing collaboration on modular MSc course in occupational hygiene running for over 30 years with over 50 students completing the course.
• British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Long-standing relationship with multiple past presidents from IOM. Active participation in BOHS conferences including OH2019 and ongoing professional society engagement.
• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-investigator on NIHR-funded AIR SAFETY Programme led by UCL, advancing understanding of ventilation and airborne infection control in healthcare settings.
• Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Society (SVHSoc)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Jerry Slann, Director of Authorising Engineering Services, is founder member and former Chairman, helping shape industry best practice and professional standards.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995IOM has been recognised as an official WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health since 1995, providing independent expert advice and contributing to international occupational health standards and guidelines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SOCOTEC: SOCOTEC is a leading European provider of testing, inspection, and certification services with a strong occupational hygiene and EHS consulting practice. It directly competes with IOM across asbestos testing, workplace exposure monitoring, and laboratory services, and serves similar UK and European industrial clients.
• ALS Global: ALS Global provides analytical testing and laboratory services including environmental, occupational hygiene, and asbestos testing. Directly comparable to IOM's UKAS-accredited laboratory operations and serves similar industrial and construction clients.
• RPS Group: RPS Group (now part of Tetra Tech) is a UK-based environmental and health & safety consultancy offering occupational hygiene, asbestos, and laboratory services. Directly comparable to IOM's consultancy business and shares many UK enterprise and government clients.

Broad incumbents

• TÜV SÜD: Germany-based testing, inspection, and certification firm with occupational health and safety service lines. Comparable to IOM's laboratory testing and compliance services, particularly for industrial customers with European footprints.
• WSP: Global professional services firm with substantial environment, health, and safety consulting offerings including industrial hygiene and asbestos management. Overlaps with IOM in EHS advisory but operates across a much broader engineering and infrastructure portfolio.
• Arcadis: Global design, engineering, and environmental consulting firm with EHS advisory services. Competes with IOM for occupational health and safety work tied to large infrastructure and industrial projects.
• Ramboll: International engineering, consulting, and environmental services firm with health and safety advisory practices. Competes with IOM in occupational health consulting and serves similar industrial, construction, and government clients across Europe.
• Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification leader with broad laboratory and environmental compliance capabilities. Overlaps with IOM in occupational hygiene testing and EHS advisory but operates across many other verticals (marine, commodities, construction) at much larger scale.
• SGS: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company offering environmental, industrial hygiene, and laboratory services globally. Like Bureau Veritas, it competes with IOM in occupational exposure testing but at vastly greater scale and across many more industry verticals.
• DEKRA: Germany-based testing and certification firm with significant occupational safety, environmental, and laboratory service lines. Competes with IOM in European EHS consulting and workplace exposure monitoring, particularly for industrial customers with multi-country operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-occupational-medicine
• Instagraminstagram.com/iom_world
• Xx.com/IOMworld

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about I O M