According to the organization’s charter, SOCMA's stated mission is to "accelerat[e] the potential for members' growth," "increase[e] public confidence in the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry," and "influenc[e] the passage of rational laws and regulations.

[3] At the time, Herty was the editor of American Chemical Society’s Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, a position he left in order to lead SOCMA.

Batch manufacturers produce intermediates, specialty chemicals and ingredients used to develop a wide range of commercial and consumer products.

[5] In September 2005, SOCMA introduced ChemStewards, the first environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) program designed for batch chemical manufacturers.

In August 2005, SOCMA sold Informex to CMP Information Ltd, part of and currently known as United Business Media, PLC, headquartered in London, England.