INWA was originally registered as Kansainvälinen Sauvakävelyliitto on the 15th December 2000. It is registered as a non-profit organisation with the Finnish Central Chamber of Commerce under the provisions of the Associations Act 26.5.1989/1503. The initial translation was ”The International Nordic Walking Association” or INWA. As the organisation grew, there was a realisation that in order to be regarded as an true international body, it needed to be seen as a ”Federation” In 2008, the INWA Board changed the name to ”The International Nordic Walking Federation” but decided to keep the acronym, INWA. INWA continues to comply with the requirements of the Finnish Chamber of Commerce.