The Institute has set up research programmes aimed at enhancing the quality of beehive products, honey in particular.

Research activities are thus focused on defining quality requirements, to be incorporated, where possible, within the regulatory framework established by domestic and international laws, which manifest a general trend toward a quest for quality. Quality is also to be pursued by labelling products with a protected geographical indication: for beekeepers this represents an essential tool for increasing both the prestige and profitability of their trade and for consumers it is an indispensable means by which to identify the best guaranteed products.

The lines of research pursued by the Institute are:

- Studies and trials whose aim is to characterise and qualify honey by defining botanical and geographical origins, with a view to improving quality;
- Analysis of beehive products (royal jelly, beeswax, pollen, propolis) to determine their composition
- Studies on the methods of storing beehive products and their possible deteriorations;
- Evaluation of food safety based on tests for the presence of residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs;
- Formulation of new chemical parameters which may be used to evaluate products;
- Development of modern methods of analysis.

For these purposes the Institute also takes part in national and international workgroups:
- the Codex Alimentarius Working Group;
- International Honey Commission;
- the UNI (Italian Organisation for Standardisation) workgroup for the standardisation of test methods for honey.