Associations


This is a list of worldwide aromatherapy associations with their short descriptions. Feel free to help me enrich the list!

Australia

The International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association, formerly the IFA Australia branch, is the leading independent non-profit professional association dedicated to support aromatherapy practitioners in Australia and overseas. With the inclusion of Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine qualifications in the National Health Training Package, the Association supports the development of Aromatic Medicine and that high standards of education and practice are maintained by IAAMA accredited practitioners. The IAAMA is also actively involved in furthering the public's perception and knowledge of therapeutic aromatherapy and its safe and effective application in everyday life.

The Australian Aromatic Medicine Association Inc is the Nationally registered Aromatherapy Association (AAMA Inc). 
It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to educating Practitioners, Students and people across the globe in natural health care techniques & practices based on Essential Oils.

 

Canada

The British Columbia Alliance Of Aromatherapy, (BCAOA), is an association dedicated to the establishment of the profession of aromatherapy/essential oil therapy in the Province of British Columbia.
BCAOA was registered in February 1999, under the Society Act of the
province of British Columbia, Canada. It was formed by representatives of 16 different associations who had concerns that the practice of aromatherapy/essential oil therapy was being threatened by changes to laws and regulations at both the provincial and federal level. In December 1999, BCAOA applied for registration as a professional association under the Health Act of British Columbia. The application is pending hearings.

The Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists (CFA)is a voluntary federally chartered, nonprofit association established in 1993, which is funded by membership fees, fundraising events and donations. The Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists fosters continuing growth, quality and high standards of education and practice within the aromatherapy profession and provides on-going information about quality of aromatherapy products and services to the public. In addition, the Canadian Federation of Aromatherapists has set standards for certification, safety and professional conduct for its members. Our members use the legal designation CAHP (Certified Aromatherapy Health Professional) which is only available and applicable to CFA members.

 

United Kingdom


The IFA is the longest-established governing body for Professional Aromatherapy in the world.   Founded in 1985, we are very proud to hold charitable status (Registered Charity Number 327290).  We have worked hard to maintain our organisation as a charity, as we believe it ensures true integrity and helps us to stay impartial in all our dealings.   Our non-profit status means that all our revenue gets put back into increasing opportunities and benefits for our members and that we can recover extra income in the UK via Gift Aid. 
 The IFA is a truly international organisation with training schools and members all over the world. It is a self-governing body supported by its Members and Friends with official Codes of Practice and Ethics, ensuring that standards and quality are sustained.   Since its formation, the Federation has been at the forefront of developments within the aromatherapy profession and has pioneered the use of aromatherapy in hospitals, hospices, special care units and general practice.   We all work hard to set and maintain the highest standards in Aromatherapy worldwide. 

The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists is the largest professional aromatherapy practitioner organisation in the world and is a strong, respected voice in the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
Its inception in 2002 was the result of a vision by the UK’s major international professional aromatherapy organisations to become the best it could.
The IFPA is a registered charity with clear, defined aims and objectives and is supported through its membership in the UK and Worldwide. The IFPA believes wholeheartedly in the principles and philosophies of Holistic health, health care and the promotion of well-being for the individual. These principles and beliefs are the foundations of the IFPA’s aims and objectives for its members together with its strong codes of ethics and practice.

The ATC is the UK trade association for the specialist aromatherapy essential oil trade representing the interests of manufacturers and suppliers of essential oils and aromatherapy products.

The AAPA was formed in 1994 by a small group of therapists who saw the need for an aromatherapy association which was non profit making and dedicated to the development of the profession & support of therapists.

USA

The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of true aromatherapy.
NAHA is actively involved with promoting and elevating academic standards in aromatherapy education and practice for the profession. NAHA is also actively involved in furthering the public's perception and knowledge of true aromatherapy and its safe and effective application in everyday life.

The International Aromatherapy and Herb Association is a non-profit educational organization catering to people who want to increase their knowledge on aromatherapy, herbs and natural health.Through our magazine, Making Scents, we will keep you informed of special events, the latest happenings in the industry, provide resource lists of quality suppliers and bring you up to date on the newest books and products coming out on the market.


          The Aromatherapy Registration Council was formed for the following reasons:
  • The Aromatherapy Registration Council is independent from any membership body, organization, or educational facility. This assures an impartial and unbiased body distinct from a body where members pay to belong to it and from one that accredits or endorses specific schools. Independence from any paid membership organization is essential for objectivity and credibility from both within the industry and externally.
  • The Aromatherapy Registration Council is non profit. This would enhance credibility both within the industry and from outside the industry.
  • A registration council could work towards NCCA accreditation, which would further enhance recognition from outside the industry.
  • The registration council could sponsor a voluntary examination to test the core body of knowledge that is aromatherapy at the present time (assuming that a core body of knowledge could be determined), with an emphasis on public safety.
  • Creating formal self-regulation through a voluntary exam and register would promote the interests of the entire professional aromatherapy community by illustrating to regulatory bodies that the aromatherapy industry was sufficiently mature to self regulate, and did not need to be regulated from outside or above.
  • The Registration Council could provide a public register of Aromatherapist who had demonstrated a core body of knowledge through successfully passing the examination.
  • The Registration Council will enhance the credibility and visibility of aromatherapy to the public and other medical professionals. By demonstrating the aromatherapy industry's commitment to safety standards and ethics, a greater degree of confidence in aromatherapy could be created in the value and safety of aromatherapy.
  • The voluntary exam could be open to self taught members of the industry and would not require that people take a program at any school. It would therefore be inclusive and not divide the industry.
  • The voluntary exam would test core knowledge, but would not restrict practitioners in the industry from specializing in any aspect of aromatherapy.
  • As the Registration Council expanded and funds became available, it could make information on safe practices in aromatherapy available to the public through its website. It could also sponsor an industry newsletter covering issues of importance to the industry, including safety standards, practice standards, legal and regulatory issues, professional employment opportunities, and the direction of the aromatherapy market.
  • The members of the SC determined that creating a prescriptive core curriculum would unnecessarily restrict development of the aromatherapy industry. In addition, curriculum based assessment is not in compliance with NCCA.

Greece
           Established in 1998, the Hellenic Association of Aromatherapists has approximathely 300 member.



Japan

Established in 1996, the Aromatherapy Association of Japan (AAJ) was engaged in a variety of activities related to aromatherapy - activities designed to disseminate, study and research correct knowledge on aromatherapy and to offer certification (Aromatherapy Proficiency Examination and Aromatherapy Advisor, Aromatherapy Instructor, and Aromatherapist certification) - until, upon receiving authorization as a corporation under the supervision of the Environmental Agency,the AAJ made a new start in April 1, 2005 as the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ).
The AEAJ continues to be involved in efforts to popularize and educate the public on aromatherapy as well as in other business activities connected with aromatherapy, and it will actively pursue the creation of productive and comfortable environments with natural aromas (“hospitable aroma environments”) with particular regard to coexistence with nature.

Korea



New Zealand

The Register was initially formed in 1993 by a small group of enthusiastic aromatherapists who began meeting in each other's homes as a discussion and support group. They agreed that they needed a nationwide register of Holistic Aromatherapists. In January 1993, together with 8 other aromatherapists, Sue Waddell and Helen Guthrie sent out invitations to as many aromatherapists as they could locate.
A journal ( Sharing Aromatherapy) was started,  and at the same time the Register was being formed. It was incorporated on 1 September 1993 and as of 20 September, there were already 55 members through out New Zealand. We now have international memberships and have formed valuable links with overseas aromatherapy registers, such as IFA in Australia.

NZROHA has established itself as the national register for qualified Holistic Aromatherapists, supporting, informing and promoting Aromatherapy in NZ. It is a founding member of the NZ Charter of Health Practitioners Inc and is developing affiliates with other Natural Health Modalities.
The Register consists of members each being engaged, trained, or interested in Aromatherapy, or others interested in furthering the objects of the Register. The Register sets professional standards for practicing members - all members are must comply with and uphold the NZROHA Rules, Membership Policy, Codes of Ethics, and Code of Practice.

South Africa

The Aromatherapy Society of South Africa (ASoSA) is a non-profit organization founded by aromatherapists on 26 October 1997. Its work is carried out by an Executive Committee based in Durban. There are currently 125 members countrywide.


Czech republic