The collection spans from 1950 to 2009, with the bulk of materials ranging from 1969 to 2002. The collection is arranged chronologically.

The EMS records are arranged in the following series:

Series I: 1930s-1950s -- This series contains journal articles written by EMS members. It also includes correspondence between Hermann J. Muller and Joshua Lederberg prior to the society's founding, indicating a need for a society for those who research chemical mutagens.

Series II: 1960s -- This series consists of the society's founding materials, including a questionnaire used to poll potential members, meeting minutes, articles of incorporation and bylaws, the first newsletter, and other materials. It also includes journal articles written by EMS members and materials from Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Biology Division, where many EMS members worked.

Series III: 1970s -- This series contains administrative materials for running EMS, including correspondence, committee materials, and membership materials. It also contains annual meeting materials such as meeting minutes, programs and photographs. The series includes publications like newsletters, journal articles written by EMS members, news articles about EMS members, and materials related to the collaboration with journals such as Mutation Research. The series also consists of materials related to the Environmental Mutagen Information Center; other organizations' conferences, research committees, workshops and symposia; the founding of international sister organizations; and ORNL's Biology Division.

Series IV: 1980s -- This series consists of administrative materials related to running EMS, including correspondence, committee materials, and financial documents. It includes materials regarding the society's annual meeting, such as meeting minutes, programs and photographs. It also contains materials related to EMIC, sister international organizations, and other organizations' conferences, research committees, workshops and symposia. The series includes newsletters, journal articles written by EMS members, news articles about EMS members, materials related to EMS's journal, and other publications.

Series V: 1990s -- This series contains administrative documents for running the society, including correspondence, committee materials, membership materials and financial documents. It also holds materials from annual meetings, such as meeting minutes, programs and photographs. The series includes materials from sister regional, national and international organizations, and other organizations' conferences, research task forces, workshops and symposia. It also consists of publications such as newsletters, the society's journal, journal articles written by EMS members, news articles about EMS members, and other publications. The series also contains ORNL's Health Sciences Research Division research materials from EMS members.

Series VI: 2000s and undated The 2000s materials contain administrative documents for running EMS, including correspondence, committee materials, and membership materials. It also includes annual meeting materials such as meeting minutes, photographs and other papers. It also contains newsletters, collages for newsletters, and the EMS journal. The undated materials contain items that do not have a clear indicator as to when they were created. It includes administrative documents, annual meeting papers, photographs, newsletter materials, publications, and materials from EMIC, international sister organizations and other organizations' workshops.