NPA Individual Natural Perfumer & Business Certification — At a Glance

What it is: An assessment-based credential that verifies you (and/or your brand) against NPA’s natural & ethical standards. Successful applicants receive an NPA Certification Badge plus a Transparency Level Badge (Green/Amber/Yellow).

Two ways to get certified

1) Fast-Track Application — €150

For: NPA graduates, graduates of NPA-certified schools, or established natural perfumers/businesses with evidence.
What happens: Submit your portfolio + practices. We review and award Green / Amber / Yellow if approved.
After approval: Activate your Annual Badge & Directory License (nominal, tiered by turnover) to display badges and appear in the public directory.
If not approved: €50 is refunded (assessment cost retained: €100).

CTA: Apply via Fast-Track →

2) Certification Program (Qualifying Module) — €300 €150 (pilot offer)

For: Practitioners new to NPA-certified training who need the qualifying module before assessment.
What happens: Self-paced Moodle program covering ethics/standards. Pass the assessment → we award Green / Amber / Yellow.
Includes: Your first year of Badge & Directory License when you pass.

CTA: Start the Program →

What you get (when licensed)

• Badges:

  • NPA Standards Badge (Individual / Business)

  • Transparency Level Badge (Green ≥95%, Amber 75–95%, Yellow 50–75%)

  • (Optional) Product (SKU) Badge for each certified perfume (additional per-perfume review/fee)

• Visibility & trust:

  • Public directory listing (logo, links, level, short bio)

  • 1 guaranteed editorial feature per year (NPA Press/site/socials); additional spotlights are curated from member news

  • Competition privileges and consideration for guest talks/podcasts/panels

• Staying current (NBPC):

  • Regulatory/standards updates and ethics best-practice briefs are provided via the Natural Botanical Perfumers Club (NBPC) at no extra cost. Certification is not required to access NBPC resources.

Fees (quick view)

• Fast-Track Application: €150 (assessment; €50 refunded if not approved)

• Certification Program: €300 – €150 (pilot offer) — includes first year Badge & Directory License after you pass

• Annual Badge & Directory License: nominal, tiered by turnover (required for badge display & directory listing)

• Per-Perfume Certification (optional): €50 per SKU (NPA grads may submit final-course perfumes without this fee)

Which path should I choose?

• I’m an NPA grad / established natural perfumer or brand → Fast-Track Application

• I’m practicing but new to NPA-certified training → Certification Program (Qualifying Module)

No, you don’t have to exclusively use natural materials to be certified by NPA. Our certification program includes different levels based on your business’s commitment to natural and ethical practices. Here are the certification levels:

Certification Levels

Green Standard (95-100% Natural and Ethical)

• • NPA Green Standard Badge: Awarded to businesses that uphold the highest natural and ethical standards, using only sustainable materials in all operations.
  • For: Perfumers, suppliers, producers
  • Criteria: 95-100% natural ingredients and ethical practices

Amber Standard (75-95% Natural and Ethical)

• • NPA Amber Standard Badge: The most common level, recognising businesses actively increasing their natural and ethical footprint across operations.
  • For: Perfumers, suppliers, producers
  • Criteria: 75-95% natural ingredients and ethical practices

Yellow Standard (50-75% Natural and Ethical)

• • NPA Yellow Standard Badge: For businesses in the early stages of integrating natural and ethical practices.
  • For: Perfumers, suppliers, producers
  • Criteria: 50-75% natural ingredients and ethical practices

Certification Process

Each application undergoes a thorough review to ensure compliance with NPA standards. Once certified, businesses receive a digital badge reflecting their certification level (Green, Amber, or Yellow) to display on their website and products. Certified businesses are also added to our NPA Certified Directory: Suppliers, Perfumers & Schools  to increase visibility.

Apply for Certification

To certify your business with NPA, enroll in our NPA Business Certification Program here. After completing the program and passing with a score of over 50%, you will be awarded certification according to your compliance level.

Transparency and Honesty: We value honesty in applications. Your certification level (Green, Amber, or Yellow) will be based on your self-reported practices, and we’ll provide a custom quote based on your responses. You may choose to accept or decline the offered certification.

Our goal is to promote transparency, reward ethical practices, and recognise businesses making significant strides toward sustainability. The Green badge is the highest level, awarded to those who fully commit to natural and ethical standards.

Two ways to get certified:

• Certification Program (Qualifying Module) — €300 €150 (pilot offer)
  Self-paced; required if you’re new to NPA-certified training.
  Includes your first year of Badge & Directory License when you pass.

• Fast-Track Application (Assessment only) — €150
  For NPA grads, grads of NPA-certified schools, or established natural perfumers/businesses.
  If approved, activate your Annual Badge & Directory License (see below).
  If not approved, €50 is refunded (assessment cost retained: €100).

Ongoing (for anyone displaying badges/listing):

• Annual Badge & Directory License — nominal, tiered by turnover
  Required to display your badges and appear in the public directory.
  (Year 1 is included for Program graduates; not included for Fast-Track.)

Optional (SKU-level claims):

• Per-Perfume Certification — €50 per perfume
  NPA Diploma grads may submit their final-course perfumes without this fee.

NPA Diploma Graduates:

• No program or application fee needed; you already have lifetime recognition.
  To display badges and be listed publicly, just activate the Annual Badge & Directory License.

For company-wide or school certification: Business Certification from €300; Educational Body Certification from €500.
NPA reserves the right to decline applications.

1. First, know the difference:

   • Education (Diploma & courses) = training/learning.

   • Certification (badges & directory) = assessment/verification + license to display badges.

   Looking for training? The CPD-Certified Natural Perfumery Diploma Course is here: English | Português (Brasil).
   Graduates can skip the Program and use the Fast-Track Application to get certified.

   Choose your path

   A) I’m already trained/established
   → Fast-Track Application — €150
   Submit portfolio + practices. If approved, activate the Annual Badge & Directory License to display your badges and appear in the public directory.

   B) I’m practising but new to NPA standards
   → Certification Program (Qualifying Module) — €300 €150 (pilot)
   Self-paced. Pass the assessment → we award Green / Amber / Yellow and include your first year of Badge & Directory License.

   C) I run a school/teach
   → Educational Body Certification — from €500
   Curriculum & faculty review; earn the Educational certification badge + transparency level.

   D) I want a specific perfume certified (optional add-on)
   → Per-Perfume Certification — €50 per SKU
   Get a product badge for each approved fragrance. You can certify products even if your business is Amber/Yellow.

   How the levels work

   • Green 95–100% natural & ethical

   • Amber 75–95%

   • Yellow 50–75%

   Quick Decision Helper

   Training (Education)

   • I want comprehensive training → CPD-Certified NPA Diploma (English | Português/Brasil)
     Graduate first, then use Fast-Track Application to get certified.

   Certification (Badges & Directory)

   • I’m already trained / NPA-certified → Fast-Track Application — €150

   • I’m practising but new to NPA standards → Certification Program (Qualifying Module) — €300 on €150 (pilot offer)
     Includes your first year of Badge & Directory License when you pass.

   • I run a school → Educational Body Certification — from €500

   Notes:

   • Annual Badge & Directory License (nominal, tiered by turnover) is required to display badges & be listed publicly.

   • NPA Diploma graduates: lifetime recognition; just use Fast-Track and activate the annual license to display badges.

   • Regulatory updates & ethics briefs come via NBPC at no extra cost (certification not required).

To maintain your certification and continue using the NPA badge on products and marketing materials, you’ll need to renew annually:

• Review: We’ll contact you to review any updates to your practices or product offerings.
• Fee Payment: Annual Badge & Directory License (tiered, nominal).
• Confirmation: Upon approval, your certification will be renewed, and your NPA badge usage will be extended for another year.

This process helps ensure that all certified members uphold NPA’s standards consistently.

Yes, you can apply to upgrade your certification level as your practices evolve. If your business or products meet higher natural and ethical standards, you may apply for reassessment. Our team will review your updated practices and, if approved, you’ll receive the upgraded certification level. 

Upgrading to a higher level reflects your ongoing commitment to ethical and sustainable perfumery and allows you to display a higher certification level on your products and materials.

With an active Annual Badge & Directory License (guaranteed):

• Badges & brand kit: NPA Certification badge + Green/Amber/Yellow transparency badge, with usage guidelines.

• Directory profile: Logo, links, level, short bio—publicly searchable on the NPA Certified Directory.

• 1 editorial feature per 12 months (e.g., NPA Press article, interview, or case study).

• Competition access: Priority/early access, certified-only categories, juried feedback options.

• Member office hours: Periodic Q&A and peer introductions on request.

Editorial visibility (curated, not guaranteed):

• Monthly spotlights across NPA Press/site/socials (selected from member news).

• Social amplification: We routinely re-share certified members’ launches and wins (tag us; we boost).

• Speaking/teaching opportunities: Consideration for podcasts, panels, and guest lectures.

Included via NBPC (no extra cost; certification not required):

• Regulatory & standards updates with plug-and-play wording for labels/product pages.

• Ethics refreshers & best-practice briefs (sourcing, transparency disclosures, claims language).

• Community access to a global network of natural perfumers and suppliers.

(Per-perfume product badges are optional add-ons at €50 per SKU.)

If you are a graduate of the NPA Diploma Course or another NPA-certified program, you can apply directly for certification. For individuals and businesses without NPA-certified training, completing the NPA Certification Program is a prerequisite. This course covers foundational ethics and practices in natural perfumery, ensuring applicants meet NPA standards before applying for certification.

Yes, NPA certification is internationally recognised and respected for its commitment to high standards in natural perfumery. The NPA certification badge signals to customers and industry professionals worldwide that your practices meet rigorous ethical and natural standards.

NPA certification is an excellent credential for those looking to market their products globally, as it demonstrates adherence to industry best practices recognized internationally.