The NPA Individual Natural Perfumer and Business Certification program upholds high standards in natural perfumery and recognizes ethical practices across the field.

• Certification Standards: Our standards apply to individual perfumers, businesses, and educational institutions. You can find more details on the NPA Business Certification Program here.

• Application Process: There are two paths:

  • Direct Application: For graduates of NPA or NPA-certified courses, or for experienced perfumers and businesses with qualifying experience.
  • Certification Program: For those without prior certification, this course provides essential training in natural perfumery ethics and standards, making participants eligible for certification.

• Assessment: Applications are evaluated by our expert team, including Justine, Ane, Holly, and Ruth, and focus on ethical practices and adherence to natural perfumery standards.

• Certification Benefits: Certified members receive a badge to display on websites and products, access to industry resources, and free advertising in NPA resources.

• Cost: The certification fee is €150, covering initial certification and badge use for one year.

For further information, feel free to contact us. We’re here to support the growth and integrity of the natural perfumery community.

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 Certification (95-100% Natural and Ethical)

• • NPA Green Circle Certification: 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 Certification (75-95% Natural and Ethical)

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

Yellow Certification (50-75% Natural and Ethical)

• • NPA Yellow Circle Certification: 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.

The costs for NPA Certification depend on your background and the type of certification you seek. Here is a breakdown:

For Non-NPA Graduates

• Application Fee: €150 (special offer)
  • This fee covers certification program access, course completion, and a one-year license to use the NPA badge. After completing the program, applicants will receive their initial certification and one year of badge licensing.

For NPA Graduates

• Lifetime Business Accreditation: Included in the NPA Diploma Certificate
  • NPA graduates are automatically accredited for life and do not need to complete additional programs. However, an annual fee applies for those wishing to use the NPA badge on products and marketing.

Additional Costs

• Specific Perfume Certification Fees:
  • For those wishing to certify individual perfumes, an additional fee of €50 per perfume applies. This covers the evaluation by a certified “nose” and administrative costs. NPA graduates may submit their final course perfumes for specific certification without extra fees.

Yearly Licensing Fee

• Annual Business Licensing Fee:
  • To use the NPA badge on products, websites, and marketing materials, a yearly administrative fee applies. The fee is based on the number of certified products and business size, with custom quotes provided for larger businesses. Fees are adjusted minimally to reflect rising operational costs, ensuring they remain affordable.

Please note: The NPA reserves the right to decline certification applications as needed.

1. Each NPA Certification Program is tailored to meet specific needs within the natural perfumery industry. Choosing the right path depends on your role and goals in the industry.

   1. Individual Natural Perfumers

   Curriculum for Individual Natural Perfumers:

   • Ideal for individual perfumers who wish to certify their expertise, ethical practices, and artistry in creating natural perfumes. This program focuses on certifying the individual and their adherence to natural and sustainable practices.
   • Includes the option to certify specific perfumes that meet NPA standards.

   If you’ve completed the NPA Diploma Course or an NPA-certified program from another institution, you may directly apply for individual perfumer certification through the Application Form.

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   2. Natural Perfume Certification

   Curriculum for Natural Perfume Certification:

   • This path is for certifying individual perfumes. If you are an artisan, an NPA graduate, or an established perfumer, you may certify specific perfumes as natural by meeting NPA’s rigorous standards for ingredients and formulation.
   • This curriculum is ideal if you seek certification for individual products to showcase their natural and ethical qualities.

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   3. Business Certification

   Curriculum for Business Certification:

   • Designed for businesses involved in distribution, supply, or production, this program certifies that your entire business practices meet NPA standards of ethics and sustainability. This is suitable for companies that may produce or sell multiple products.
   • Businesses certified at the Amber or Yellow level may still certify individual products or perfumes that fully meet NPA’s natural standards.

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   Certification Levels

   • Green Certification: All products and practices align with the highest natural and ethical standards.
   • Amber Certification: Significant steps toward natural and ethical practices, with more than 75% compliance.
   • Yellow Certification: Early stages of incorporating natural and ethical practices, with a commitment to growth.

   Each program is designed to validate and promote your dedication to natural perfumery and ethical practices. Think about your role—whether as an individual perfumer, a business, or a supplier—and select the certification path that best supports your professional goals.

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: An annual licensing fee applies, which varies based on your certification level and business size.
• 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.

Certified members receive access to a variety of resources and ongoing support, including:

• Advertising Opportunities: Free advertising in NPA publications and press.
• Exclusive Content: Access to member-only podcasts, video lectures, and updates.
• Community Access: Connect with fellow certified members in NPA’s network, including forums and events where you can exchange ideas, seek advice, and collaborate.
• Compliance Updates: Regular updates on international laws and best practices in natural perfumery.

These benefits are designed to support your growth and enhance your credibility in the field.

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.