ATC Code of Conduct and Practice

Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC)

Supporting responsible practice in the aromatherapy and essential oil sector
In this Code, ‘Members’ refers to all categories of ATC membership unless otherwise specified.

1. Status of this Code
1.1 This Code of Conduct and Practice (“the Code”) forms part of the governance framework supporting the ATC AROMATHERAPY TRADE COUNCIL Collective Mark.
1.2 The Code must be read together with:

• the Regulations Governing Use of the ATC Collective Mark
• ATC membership Terms and conditions
• any relevant ATC policies.

1.3 Compliance with this Code is a condition of membership of the Aromatherapy Trade Council (ATC).

1.4 Compliance with this Code is also a condition of permission to use the ATC Collective Mark.

1.5 Members who fail to comply with this Code may be subject to disciplinary action including restriction or removal of permission to use the Collective Mark.

2. Purpose of the Code
The purpose of this Code is to:

• promote responsible and professional conduct within the aromatherapy sector
• protect consumers through safe and responsible marketing and product information
• support confidence in businesses operating within the aromatherapy and essential oil industry
• ensure appropriate standards among members using the ATC Collective Mark.

The Code helps demonstrate that ATC maintains appropriate control over member conduct and over the use of the Collective Mark.

3. Legal and Regulatory Responsibility
3.1 Members remain solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relevant to their activities.
These may include, where relevant:

• product safety legislation
• cosmetic product regulations
• chemical regulations
• advertising and marketing regulations
• consumer protection legislation
• environmental legislation
• professional practice requirements.

3.2 Membership of ATC does not constitute regulatory approval, certification or licensing.

3.3 Members must not represent ATC membership as evidence that their products or services are approved or endorsed by ATC.

3.4 Each member remains fully responsible for the legal compliance of their business, products, services, marketing and labelling.

3.5 Any guidance, explanatory material or advice issued by ATC is provided subject to the ATC Disclaimer, which forms part of the governance framework supporting this Code.

4. Professional Conduct
4.1 Members must conduct their business in a manner that:

• maintains the integrity and reputation of ATC
• promotes responsible practice within the aromatherapy sector
• respects consumer safety and the informed use of aromatherapy products
• supports fair and ethical business practices.

4.2 Members are expected to act with honesty and responsibility in their dealings with:

• consumers
• other businesses
• regulatory authorities
• fellow ATC members
• the public, including students and trainees.

4.3 Failure to uphold these standards may result in disciplinary action in accordance with ATC governance procedures.

5. Responsible Marketing and Claims
Members must ensure that all marketing, advertising and promotional materials are:

• accurate
• truthful
• responsible
• not misleading.
  

Members must not make claims that are likely to mislead consumers.
In particular:

5.1 Aromatherapy products must not be presented as medicinal products unless legally authorised to do so.

5.2 Members must not claim that essential oils or aromatherapy products treat, cure or prevent disease unless authorised under applicable medicines legislation.
The Human Medicines Regulations 2012 define a medicinal product as:
“Any substance or combination of substances presented as having properties for treating or preventing disease in human beings.”

5.3 Members must ensure that statements relating to benefits, safety or effectiveness are proportionate and capable of justification.

5.4 Members must ensure that marketing materials, including websites and social media, comply with applicable advertising and consumer protection regulations.

6. Product Information, Labelling and Consumer Safety
Members supplying aromatherapy products to the general public must provide sufficient information to allow consumers to use those products safely.

Where appropriate, product labels or accompanying information should include:

• instructions for safe use
• recommended dilution guidance
• quantity supplied
• company name and address
• batch identification
• botanical name of essential oils used
• appropriate safety warnings.

Typical warnings may include:

• keep out of reach of children
• avoid contact with eyes
• do not apply undiluted to skin
• do not take internally unless appropriately authorised.

Providing clear safety information helps protect consumers and supports responsible use of aromatherapy products.

7. Packaging Safety
Members selling essential oils directly to consumers should incorporate appropriate safety features, such as drop-control dispensers, where practical.

This may include the use of integral drop dispensers (drippers) in essential oil bottles to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.

These dispensing systems help control dosage and support consumer safety.

8. Product Quality
Members should supply products that are of appropriate quality for their intended use.

Where products are sold as single-species essential oils, reasonable care should be taken to ensure accuracy of identification and description.

Members should maintain appropriate sourcing, storage and handling practices in order to protect product quality.

9. Random Testing and Quality Monitoring
ATC may, where appropriate, conduct or commission testing of members’ essential oils or products.

The purpose of such testing is to:

• support quality assurance
• maintain public confidence in ATC members
• protect the reputation of the Collective Mark.

Members agree to cooperate with reasonable requests relating to such testing.

10. Use of ATC Membership and Collective Mark
10.1 Members may use the ATC Collective Mark only in accordance with the Regulations Governing Use of the ATC Collective Mark.

10.2 Members must ensure that the Collective Mark is used:

• only while membership is active and in good standing
  
• only in relation to the member’s own business activities
• in a manner that is accurate and not misleading.

10.3 Members must not:

• modify or alter the Collective Mark
• incorporate the Collective Mark into their own logo, trade mark or business identity
• suggest that ATC certifies, approves or guarantees their products or services.

10.4 Members must cease all use of the Collective Mark immediately if membership ends or if permission to use the Collective Mark is withdrawn.

10.5 Members must promptly comply with any reasonable request from ATC relating to the correct use of the Collective Mark, including requests to amend, remove or correct any use that ATC reasonably considers to be misleading, non-compliant with this Code, or inconsistent with the Regulations Governing Use of the ATC Collective Mark.

11. Cooperation with ATC Monitoring
11.1 Members must cooperate with reasonable requests from ATC relating to:

• compliance with this Code
• use of the Collective Mark
• verification of marketing or labelling practices.

ATC may request evidence of compliance where necessary to protect the integrity of the Collective Mark.

11.2 Protection of the Reputation of the Collective Mark
ATC may take appropriate action where the conduct of a member, including marketing practices, product information or professional activities, is reasonably considered likely to damage the reputation of the ATC Collective Mark or public confidence in responsible aromatherapy practice.

Any such action will be taken in accordance with ATC governance procedures and the provisions set out in Section 12 of this Code.

12. Breaches and Sanctions
If ATC determines that a member has breached this Code, ATC may take appropriate action.

Possible actions may include:

• issuing guidance
• issuing a warning
• requesting corrective action
• requiring removal or amendment of marketing materials
• suspending permission to use the Collective Mark
• terminating permission to use the Collective Mark
• terminating ATC membership.

These actions may be taken where necessary to protect consumers and maintain the integrity of the Collective Mark.

13. Changes in Business Ownership
Members must notify ATC promptly if there is a change in ownership or control of their business.

Membership and permission to use the ATC Collective Mark do not automatically transfer to a new owner.

Member-Category Provisions

The following sections apply only to members undertaking the relevant professional activities.

14. Professional Practice – Practitioners
This section applies to members who provide aromatherapy or related complementary therapy services directly to clients. It sets out the professional expectations of ATC practitioner members in order to support safe, responsible and ethical practice.

Practitioner members should:

14.1 Conduct their professional activities in a manner that prioritises client safety, wellbeing and informed consent.

14.2 Be appropriately qualified for the services they provide. Practitioners should normally hold qualifications aligned with the UK National Occupational Standards (NOS) for aromatherapy or complementary therapies, or an equivalent recognised professional or vocational standard where training has taken place outside the United Kingdom.

14.3 Maintain and develop their professional knowledge and skills through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and remain informed about developments relevant to safe and responsible aromatherapy practice.

14.4 Provide services only within the scope of their training, competence and professional experience.

14.5 Practitioners must avoid presenting aromatherapy treatments, products or advice as capable of curing or healing medical conditions unless legally authorised to do so. Practitioners must avoid making claims that could imply diagnosis, treatment or cure of disease.

14.6 Maintain appropriate professional standards, including hygiene, safety and responsible use of essential oils and related aromatherapy products.

14.7 Ensure that any advice provided to clients is responsible, proportionate and does not involve unauthorised medical claims.

14.8 Respect client confidentiality and maintain appropriate client records where relevant to their practice.

14.9 Practitioner members should maintain appropriate professional insurance relevant to the services they provide, where such insurance is available and customary for professional practice.

Members practising outside the United Kingdom should ensure that their practice is supported by appropriate insurance or equivalent arrangements consistent with the legal and professional expectations of the country in which they practise.

Where formal insurance arrangements are not available, members should take reasonable steps to ensure that their activities are conducted responsibly and with appropriate consideration for client safety and professional risk.

Practitioner members remain responsible for complying with any applicable legal or regulatory requirements relating to the provision of therapy services.

Potential members who are unsure whether their qualifications, professional arrangements or insurance arrangements meet ATC expectations are encouraged to contact ATC for guidance prior to applying for membership or continuing professional practice.

15. Education and Training Providers
This section applies to members who provide education, training, assessment or professional development within the aromatherapy and complementary therapy sector.
Education provider members should support the development of safe, responsible and professionally informed practice within the aromatherapy community.

Education provider members should:

15.1 Deliver education and training in a manner that promotes safe, responsible and ethical aromatherapy practice.

15.2 Ensure that course descriptions, marketing materials and promotional information accurately describe the nature, level and scope of the training provided.

15.3 Where vocational training is provided, ensure that the training reflects the UK National Occupational Standards (NOS) for aromatherapy or complementary therapies, or an equivalent recognised professional or vocational standard where training is delivered outside the United Kingdom.

15.4 Where training is intended to prepare students for professional practice, education providers should design courses so that graduates may reasonably obtain professional insurance cover for the services for which they are trained, where such insurance arrangements are customary within the relevant jurisdiction.

15.5 Avoid misleading claims regarding the professional recognition, regulatory status or qualification level of courses offered.

15.6 Encourage students and graduates to understand the importance of legal compliance, responsible marketing and consumer safety within the aromatherapy sector.

15.7 Ensure that educational materials and teaching content do not promote unsafe practices or unlawful medicinal claims relating to aromatherapy products or treatments.

15.8 Where qualifications are offered, ensure that information provided to students clearly explains the awarding organisation, accreditation status or recognition of the qualification.

15.9 Support students and practitioners in understanding the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) and maintaining professional competence throughout their careers.

Education provider members remain responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable education, training or regulatory requirements relevant to the jurisdiction in which training is delivered.

Potential members who are unsure whether their education or training activities fall within the scope of ATC membership are encouraged to contact ATC for guidance.

16. Commitment of ATC Members
By becoming a member of ATC, members agree to:

• uphold this Code of Conduct and Practice
• support responsible practice within the aromatherapy sector
• protect consumer safety
• maintain the reputation and integrity of the ATC Collective Mark.

17. ATC Regulatory Information Disclaimer
Information provided by The Aromatherapy Trade Council is intended to offer general guidance and explanatory information based on published legislation, regulations and official government guidance relevant to the aromatherapy, essential oil and natural wellness sectors.

It is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, regulatory consultancy or a determination of compliance for any individual business, product or activity.

Each business is responsible for ensuring its own legal and regulatory compliance.

ATC Code of Conduct and Practice C3 V 2 February 2026 – next review February 2027