[1] Started by Jan Ekier in 1959, the entirety of Chopin's known works were published in 37 volumes from 1967 to 2010, accompanied by source and performance commentaries.

We owe Chopin a debt... His music allowed us to survive the worst moments, and in the periods of hope extols Polish culture all over the world.

[4] A total of nine volumes were published up to 1991, with a publication rhythm that correlated to each edition of the quinquennial International Chopin Piano Competition.

[5] As an urtext, the Chopin National Edition aims to produce a musical text that adheres to the original notation and the composer's intentions.

Additionally, a separate performance commentary documents cases where Chopin's notation may be misunderstood by contemporary pianists, such as realizations of ornaments and pedaling.

The edition provides a new numbering scheme ("WN") for works published after Chopin's death, similar to existing catalogues by Maurice J. E. Brown (B) and Krystyna Kobylańska (KK).