Authenticity & Compliance at the Natural Perfume Academy

Authenticity & Compliance at the Natural Perfume Academy

At the Natural Perfume Academy, authenticity is not a slogan — it’s a standard.

We’re here to raise the bar for natural perfumery through trust, transparency, and education. And that starts with clarifying what we do — and don’t — require from our community of perfumers, suppliers, and students.

Do We Require Certificates of Authenticity or GC-MS Reports?

No — and we never have.
We do not require:

  • Certificates of Authenticity (COAs)

  • GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) reports

  • Lab-based analytic verification documents

Why? Because:

  • Many artisan perfumers, indie distillers, and small-scale producers simply can’t afford these tests.

  • These tests are often unnecessary for skilled practitioners who already know the scent profile of the materials they’re working with.

  • We trust the trained nose over paperwork — that is the root of perfumery.

So unless something smells off or contradicts a claim, we don’t ask for lab reports.
We believe perfume begins and ends with the nose — not bureaucracy.

When Do We Ask for Documentation?

While we don’t require lab analysis or certificates of authenticity, we do expect basic legal and ethical transparency — and we may ask for documentation only if it’s missing or unclear.

We may follow up if:

  • A material is endangered, animal-derived, vintage, or restricted — with no mention of sourcing or legality

  • A seller offers products that are on CITES lists, or prohibited by law without explaining vintage status or have documented proof of ethical sourcing

  • There is no visible traceability on their website or product descriptions

In these cases, we may ask for:

  • CITES permits (for endangered species like agarwood, rosewood, or certain sandalwoods)

  • Documentation of cruelty-free sourcing (especially for materials like civet, castoreum, or beeswax)

  • Clear vintage statements if animal-derived materials are listed, proof is required that they were produced and sold pre-ban dates.

These are basic standards of transparency — not elite requirements. If someone can’t show or explain how they obtained a restricted or controversial material, we’re not interested in working with them. 

Further Reading: The Hidden Costs of Precious Woods – by Nicole Byrd

What Does NPA Compliance Mean?

NPA Compliance is not a legal certification — and we don’t regulate your business.
But we do expect:

  • You operate within your country’s laws

  • You don’t sell banned or illegal materials without legal documentation

  • You clearly present your ingredients and sourcing

  • You avoid misleading, vague, or romanticised claims

We’re not here to police — we’re here to protect the reputation of natural perfumery as a serious, ethical, and professional art form.

Where We Draw the Line

We do not associate with individuals or companies who:

  • Sell endangered or restricted botanicals (such as agarwood, rosewood, or sandalwood) without appropriate documentation or permits

  • Use animal-derived ingredients (like civet, castoreum, or musk) without having the documentation to prove their source or vintage

  • Misrepresent synthetic materials as natural

  • Operate without transparency — such as refusing to answer reasonable questions about sourcing, or providing vague, evasive answers

If you are unsure whether your materials or claims meet ethical or legal standards, we recommend:

  • Consulting your national CITES authority regarding endangered species and legal trade requirements:
    🔗 www.cites.org

  • Publishing your sourcing and practices clearly on your website

Our Bottom Line

Natural perfumery is built on trust: trust in the nose, trust in the maker, trust in the source.

At the Academy, we support serious artists — not shady vendors, not greenwashing, and not those hiding behind poetic bios while dodging basic questions about legality or ethics.

We are proud to stand by:

  • Authenticity through experience

  • Transparency without intimidation

  • Compliance rooted in respect for nature and people

If this resonates with you, and you want your work aligned with a standard that values honesty and skill —

👉 Learn more about NPA Certification Standards & Accreditation.