Natural Perfumers Guild

http://naturalperfumersguild.com/code.htm updated: July 2007 

I.             Mission and Purpose

The mission of the Natural Perfumers Guild (NPG) is to exalt and encourage the use of natural botanicals and aromatics in perfume and toiletries. Our intention is to gather and strengthen our existing community, increase public awareness and education about pure and natural perfumes, establish standards of excellence in perfumery, and assist members in reaching the highest level of excellence in natural perfumery and related fields.  

II.            Goals and objectives

The goal of the Guild is to promote the natural perfumery industry, to act as a center of communication among natural perfumers, to further develop and standardize education, to circulate information and support, to provide trade marketing assistance, and, as need be, oppose legislation adversely affecting natural perfumers.

Professionalism: Establish the professional standards of artisan natural perfumers; provide recognition for natural perfumers’ dedication to the artistry of working with natural aromatics; plan for the future development of the natural perfumery industry.

Communication: Promote interaction and the exchange of information between artisan perfumers and their suppliers to further develop the perfumer's palette and materials. Promotion: Bring together individuals involved in the production of natural perfumes, and represent and promote their interests to the public and media.

Education: Encourage the education and training of people interested in careers as artisan natural perfumers; develop a mentor program; and use the standard syllabus for the introductory course before advancement to upper level study. Additionally, an ongoing effort to educate and inform the public about the beauty of pure and natural aromatics will be conducted.  

III.           Categories of Membership

Professional Perfumer: has created and packaged perfume(s) which meet or surpass the standards established by the Evaluation Committee.

Associate: creates body, home or environmental products scented with natural aromatics; or, writes and/or publishes about natural perfumery. Evaluation Committee reviews.

Supplier: sells equipment and materials related to natural perfumery. Evaluation Committee reviews.

Enthusiast: has an interest in the use of natural botanicals in perfume and toiletries. 

IV.        Application Process Eligibility for membership:  A member shall be admitted upon submission of a completed membership application and payment of annual membership dues. The NPG reserves the right to reject any membership application to NPG by a two-thirds vote of the Oversight Committee.            

• Applicants must supply the Guild President with one (1) full-size, store-ready example of each product; three (3) samples of each product; and relevant promotional materials.  New products developed after acceptance into the NPG must be submitted to the Guild President within two months of launch. There is a $50, non-refundable review fee required at the time of submission.  NPG Professional Perfumers are required to have a reciprocal link to NPG.com on their website.Non-refundable application fee is $100 or $150, based on number of employees.
• For exempt teaching status, a fee will be assessed TBD on a case-by-case basis.

B.  Associate Member

• Applicants must supply the Guild president with a sample of each product being considered for a public launch. This may be negotiable, depending upon number of products.NPG Associates are required to have a reciprocal link to NPG.com on their website.
• Non-refundable application fee is $100.

C.  Supplier

• Applicants must supply the Guild president with a representative sample of products. This may be negotiable, depending upon number of products.NPG Suppliers are required to have a reciprocal link to NPG.com on their website.
• Non-refundable application fee is $150.

D.  Enthusiast

• Enthusiasts enjoy the benefits of the community, may apply for mentoring, and uphold the Mission of the Guild. NPG Enthusiasts are not required to have a link to NPG.com on their website.Enthusiasts may not display the logo on their website.Enthusiasts are not to offer perfumes for sale.
• Non-refundable application fee is $75

 V.            Displaying Member Logo

Logo The Guild shall have the sole right to completely control the use of the Logo, and such Trademarks or other Indicia as the NPG may adopt.  Guild Perfumers, Associates and Suppliers may use the NPG logo on their websites, stationary, stickers and natural perfumery-related projects.  Links to photo-ready images are available to Guild members upon request.   

VI.           Sanctions

A.      Only NPG Members with Endorsed Teacher status are permitted to teach natural perfumery classes as defined by the Guild.  Endorsed teachers are required to use the Guild syllabus when teaching.  Failure on either count will result in a written warning. The Oversight Committee will review each case. Continued failure to comply within two weeks will result in immediate termination from the Guild.

B.     Use of synthetics in NPG members’ products is not permitted.  Failure to comply is same as above.

C.     Verbally slandering other NPG members, either on-line or in person, is means for immediate termination from the Guild. Libelous materials will also incur this sanction.

D.     Failure to send one (1) ml samples of new products to the NPG reference library within 2 months of launch will result in termination from the Guild.

E.     Failure to pay dues and fees within thirty days of member’s renewal due date will result in termination from the Guild.

F.     Mediation:  Grievances may go to mediation with the Oversight Committee.  After one month of mediation for any grievances, the final decision is considered binding to all parties.

G.     Removal of the logo must occur within 72 hours of a member leaving the Guild.               

H.    Resignation: Any member desiring to resign from the NPG shall present resignation in writing to the President. Any member who resigns or otherwise withdraws, voluntarily or involuntarily, from the NPG shall cease to have any interest in the activities of the NPG and shall not be entitled to any refunds of any type.

  I.    Reinstatement. Any member who resigned and whose resignation was accepted shall be granted reinstatement upon application accompanied by current dues and approval upon a 2/3 vote of the Oversight Committee.

NOTE: Suspension or Termination of Membership. The Guild has the power to suspend or terminate members for non-payment of dues; and to reprimand, to suspend, or to expel members in accordance with the Guild Code of Conduct or violation of these Guidelines.

VII.         Commitment to Sustainability and the Environment

The Guild is committed to leaving a carbon-neutral footprint and encourages members to make eco-friendly choices to the best of their ability. Whenever possible, sourcing and production shall be done as close as possible to the member’s location, and all waste and unusable materials shall be recycled as much as possible.

 Natural Perfumers Guild

Code of Conduct

I.             Introduction

This code of conduct is written to guide our Members in their professional practice in a way that ensures a balance between the needs of our Members, our customers, our profession and our community. Our code of ethics not only recognizes our professional responsibility but also our commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards in our practice of natural perfumery.

 A.     Production

1.    Use only natural and botanical ingredients in the production of perfume and scented products.2.    Adhere to all production standards as established by the authorized governmental body in his/her country.3.    Provide product safety information upon request.4.    Provide all new products to NPG for scent library.

B.      Communication

1.    Encourage open and honest dialog among members.2.    Maintain a high level of courtesy, kindness and respect among members.3.    Respect the need for confidentiality related to proprietary information.4.    Foster an atmosphere of harmony, encouragement and good-will among members.

C.      Professionalism

1.    Represent products, services, terms and conditions clearly and accurately.2.    Refrain from sharing confidential information without authorization/permission from the member involved.3.    Respond to inquiries and complaints in a timely manner.

D.      Education

1.    In order to teach natural perfumery classes, NPG members must have completed and passed Guild-endorsed NP classes: Levels I and II, preferably through Level III. Only Professional Perfumers may teach. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.2.    Guild members who are not Professional Perfumers may present natural perfumes to the public in a showcase. Exhibits of such perfumes will be for educational and promotional purposes and this exhibit will in no way be conducted as a class.