The IPF was founded in 1972, and comprises member federations from more than one hundred countries with new ones being added yearly.

The current IPF president is Gaston Parage, from Luxembourg.

IPF is a drug-tested powerlifting federation that restricts supportive equipment in both equipped and raw competitions to an approved list which is updated from time to time.

[1] Typically in equipped competition the usage is limited to single-ply polyester shirts and suits with wrist and knee wraps while soft suits and neoprene knee sleeves are permitted in the classic powerlifting division (referred to as unequipped or raw competition).

In 1972, the second world weightlifting championship event was held by the Amateur Athletic Union leading to the creation of the IPF.