Natural Perfumers Guild
Mission Statement
The Natural Perfumers Guild was established in 2006 as the only international trade organization dedicated to promoting the beauty and benefits of 100% natural fragrances and giving a voice to the artisan natural perfumer. Our purpose is to gather, strengthen and empower our existing member community, increase public awareness through education about pure and natural perfumes, and establish standards of excellence in perfumery by protecting the traditional art of perfumery through ethical standards.Our Code defines the elements that make us a self-regulating organization.* Our standards for our Professional Perfumers are the highest in the world regarding the use of natural ingredients. **
*The Code is under revision from May - Dec. 2012 as we add elements that strengthen our self-regulation status.
** Please see the Definition of Natural Perfumery link in the menu
The Art of Natural Perfumery
Perfumery, as an art and profession, has a long and distinguished history. For the thousands of years perfumers have practiced their art, nature has been both their inspiration and the source of their materials. From simple mixes of basic raw materials to exquisite and complex blends of painstakingly prepared distillates, perfumes and perfumed products have enriched our lives and the lives of our predecessors, making them sweeter, fuller, and more enjoyable. Perfumers' creations were used in temples, palaces and ordinary homes; their containers are found among the artifacts of most ancient civilizations.
The term “Natural Perfume” was relatively obscure more than 10 years ago .There was a change in consciousness, and many independent people decided that they really wanted to learn how to blend, and they wanted to define themselves as separate from mainstream perfumery. So, the term Natural Perfumery, like a synchronistic “click” in many scent-lovers heads, became the way in which we define what we do.
In the 1800’s, before the discovery of synthetics that would change perfumery forever, natural perfumery did exist; it just wasn’t called that. The perfumers were just perfumers. The 20th Century saw the growth of mainstream perfumery and the increasing use of synthetic chemicals replacing the natural aromatics. Now, in the 21st Century, Natural Perfumery is the logical next step along the fragrant path for many aromatherapists. It is the road back through history that we are now finding, and it is wonderful.
We invite you to read about us, our definition of natural perfumery, see what exciting, groundbreaking projects we've been involved in, and consider joining us.