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Authenticity & Compliance at the Natural Perfume Academy

Authenticity & Compliance at the Natural Perfume Academy

At the Natural Perfume Academy, authenticity is the 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. 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 are 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.