ERC conducts applied research in selected environmental areas and it provides specialized technical consultations, testing, and training for the public and private sectors as follows:
Studies and technical consultations
Assessment of water and wastewater quality.
Assessment of indoor, ambient, and industrial air quality.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) for development projects.
Environmental auditing and ISO 14000 consultation.
Industrial wastewater treatment.
Testing
ERC comprises the following laboratories/ unit:
Water Testing Laboratory/1 (WTL/1)
Water Testing Laboratory/2 (WTL/2)
Microbiology Laboratory (ML)
Air Quality Laboratory (AQL)
EIA Unit
Training
ERC provides specialized training in the following environmental fields:
Microbial tests for water and wastewater.
Physical and chemical analyses of water and wastewater.
Air pollution monitoring.
Applications of atomic absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography in environmental analyses.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Environmental auditing and environmental management system (ISO 14000).

The successive economic and social development plans in Jordan laid special emphasis on environmental protection. The National Environment Strategy (1992) included a policy for the protection of the environment, and the law of Environment Protection No. 12 (1995) consists of several articles ranging from technical matters to legal and financial aspects pertaining to environmental protection and conservation.

The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) has been involved in environmental assessment and protection since 1976 through the Environmental Division of the Industrial Chemistry Centre. In compliance with this policy, RSS established the Environmental Research Centre (ERC) on September 19,1989. His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden inaugurated ERC during an official visit to Jordan.