IFPA Code of Ethics and Conduct
The Code of Ethics and Conduct sets out the minimum, basic standards which the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists requires all its members to maintain.

Definitions
All words used in this document are to be given their ordinary, normal meaning unless otherwise specified. Where this document is translated into other languages, your attention is drawn to the fact that these versions are provided for your convenience only, the English version shall always take precedence.

IFPA
The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
82 Ashby Road
Hinckley Leicestershire
LE10 1SN
United Kingdom
Phone: 00 44 (0) 1455 637987
Fax: 00 44 (0) 1455 890956
Email: [email protected]
Reg. Charity No: 1091325
Company No: 4388652
VAT Reg No: 794794065

Member (Full, Student, Associate, Non-Practising or Corporate)
An individual or other legal entity who is registered with the IFPA.

School Owner
An individual or other legal entity who owns a school which is accredited to provide the IFPA Aromatherapy Diploma or Approved CPD courses.

Definition of Ethics
The IFPA accepts ethics to be defined as “a system of moral principles or rules of behaviour.” Ethics is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and is also described as moral philosophy.

Definition of Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the systematic, controlled use of essential oils to promote and enhance the health and well-being of the individual.

Moral Integrity
Integrity is the basic fundamental quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, and moral uprightness. In ethics, integrity is regarded by many people as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one’s actions.

Definition of Conduct
Personal behaviour; way of acting; bearing or deportment.

Background
Aromatherapy is a widespread, safe, and legal activity and this code helps ensure that IFPA members conduct themselves in such a manner as to maintain the reputation and trust in this industry, IFPA and its members. Used correctly, aromatherapy can achieve positive results for our clients, and we wish to build on this principle for the future. Although on the whole the materials and techniques used in this industry are safe and relatively low risk, like anything if used incorrectly, there can be serious consequences for clients, aromatherapists and other parties.

This code of ethics has been produced to help members of the IFPA understand the minimum standards required of them. It is stressed that these are minimum standards and members should strive to always hold the highest possible standard.

A breach of the standards set out by this code is considered to be a serious matter. Breaching these standards may give rise to serious medical, physical, and legal consequences. A breach is likely to bring disrepute onto the member, the IFPA and potentially the industry as a whole.

Compliance with this code is the best way to ensure that you practise or manage your activities in relation to aromatherapy in an ethical, safe, and successful way.

General terms

• Compliance with this Code of Conduct is mandatory for all members of the IFPA. It is the responsibility of the member to ensure that they are fully aware of and understand the details of these requirements.
• Breaches of this Code will be handled in accordance with the IFPA’s Disciplinary Procedure.
• All members will conduct themselves in a professional, ethical, and law-abiding manner in relation to all their work with clients, colleagues, students, fellow professionals, and the general public.
• All members will conduct themselves at all times in an honourable, courteous, and diligent manner, acting with respect and dignity.
• All members must not discriminate against any other person based on age, disability, gender (including gender re-assignment), marriage and civil partnership, race, religious belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
• All members must respect the political, and social views of others.
• No member will make (whether in writing or otherwise) prejudicial or derogatory judgements based on lifestyle, money or health of clients, students, fellow members, or other professionals or any other person.
• All members will ensure their own health and hygiene does not impact on their professional practice in any way.
• No member will use or allow to be used, any prohibited substance during any professional work they carry out or whilst acting on behalf of the IFPA.
• No member will consume, use, distribute (i.e., deal or sell) or allow to be consumed, used, or distributed, any narcotics, alcohol, mind-altering drugs, or intoxicants prior to or during any professional work they carry out or whilst acting on behalf of the IFPA. This includes the use of prescription medication and ‘legal highs’ of any description.
• All members will carry out the required amount of Continuing Professional Development per year.
• Members will provide, to the best of their knowledge, truthful and accurate information and not make negligent or deliberate omissions or provide information in a way likely to be misleading or incomplete when renewing membership or accreditation in any form.
• All members must notify IFPA as soon as reasonably possible and within 30 days of any material or substantial changes to their professional circumstances and concerning their membership with the IFPA.
• All members will report to the IFPA as soon as reasonably possible and within 60 days any inquiry, arrest or investigation by the Police, Government department or other regulatory body relating to their practise of aromatherapy.
• Where a disclosure under 1.14 or 1.15 above has been made, members are further required to keep the IFPA updated, as far as reasonably possible, on the progress and outcome of these investigations. IFPA may submit in writing to the member at any time, a notice requiring an update to any ongoing investigation. No member shall unreasonably fail to comply with this request.
• No member may undertake any work (whether paid or unpaid) or act for or on behalf of the IFPA where it contravenes a local regulation, bye-law, or other statutory law or requirement in the territory the member is operating in or is required to observe.
• All members must ensure they are suitably qualified, insured and registered with any statutory or regularity authority where required and as required in their country of practise. The IFPA reserve the right to ask any member for proof of such entitlement, qualification or cover at any time and this will not be unreasonably withheld by any member.
• All members must comply with any statutory or regulatory requirements in the territory regarding confidentiality, data management, processing, collection, storage, disclosure, disposal, and other matters in relation to personal information of clients, the IFPA or their operations.
• If any member fails to comply with any of the provisions in this policy, that member may be subject to the IFPA’s disciplinary process and/or required to surrender their membership.
• If any member fails to comply or co-operate with an investigation or proceeding under the IFPA’s disciplinary process, they will be deemed to be in breach of this code and may be subject to disciplinary action.
• Although the Government and orthodox medical policy often use the words ‘alternative’ and ‘complementary’ medicine, it is clear that under their rules, any members accept that delegation from a doctor is ‘complementary’. The term ‘complementary medicine’ makes no pretensions of replacing conventional medicine; it informs the public that aromatherapy cannot and does not ever exclude conventional medicine and orthodox healthcare practitioners from patient care and treatment.

Further information

IFPA Disciplinary Procedure IFPA CPD Requirements

Membership Terms and Conditions Equality Act 2010

The Human Rights Act Human Rights Act 1998 Cancer Act

Appropriate Level of Skill & Training
Operating while using the appropriate level of skill and care is crucial to the ethics promoted by the IFPA. Members must never offer or agree to work at a level higher than they are qualified or insured to perform.

Unless they hold a separate medical qualification, they should never diagnose or give advice about medication. In any case, diagnosis, advice, consultation, or any other procedure of this nature is not regulated or endorsed by the IFPA, and no member may make representations, acts or omissions which may confuse someone regarding this point. If at any time a member feels unable to meet the medical expectations of a client or other person, they should refer the client or person to a therapist or medical professional who is qualified to treat them.

The IFPA requires that all members

• Never give medical advice.
• Always work within their qualifications and limits of insurance.
• Never diagnose, prescribe, or provide any services unless they are trained, licensed, and carry the appropriate insurance to do so and never make such undertakings in the name, or endorsement, or regulation, of the IFPA.
• Never claim to ‘cure’ – therapeutic benefits may be discussed but must never be guaranteed.
• Be aware that there is a higher burden of competency when dealing with clients suffering from addictions or mental issues.
• Represent their qualifications, training, and experience honestly in all forms of advertisement or promotion of themselves or their businesses. They must not knowingly allow themselves or their business to be negligently misrepresented.
• Refer clients to the appropriate qualified professionals if their needs go beyond the scope of practise, qualification, or insurance.
• Not knowingly treat clients that more appropriately require medical treatment except with the written approval of their GP or Consultant.
• Since December 1991, doctors have been allowed to delegate treatment of patients to specialists, including complementary therapists such as aromatherapists, provided that:
  a) the doctor remains in charge of the patient’s treatment and
  b) the doctor is clinically accountable for the care offered by the complementary therapist

These requirements must always be observed by all members where they apply.

Animals

It is understood and accepted that from time-to-time members may receive requests to practise on animals. Whilst generally safe, the same level of skill and care must be taken as when dealing with humans.

• Members must carry the appropriate insurance and qualifications for dealing with animals.
• Members are reminded that all animals can be dangerous and specific requirements may be necessary to ensure the protection from harm for the member, owner, and the animal.
• All and any products used on an animal must be certified as safe for use on that animal. If in doubt, a qualified vet must be consulted. All members must discuss the risks of their practise and the products they intend to use, with the owner or nominated representative, prior to the start of any treatment.
• Members must only treat animals with and under the supervision of a qualified vet and in the presence of the owner or a nominated representative of the owner.
• Members must refuse to treat and refer any animals requiring medical attention to a vet immediately. Sick, lame, or diseased animals must never be treated unless under written approval from a qualified vet responsible for the treatment of the animal and with the owners’, or a representative of the owners, permission.
• Any nominated representative of the owner must be capable to act wholly independently of the owner and make all decisions enjoyed by the owner in respect of the animal. All members must make reasonable effort to confirm that the nominated representative is authorised to act in such a way.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a requirement of running a professional practice. The information disclosed to you as part of a consultation and subsequent treatment should be treated with the utmost respect and care. This information is personal and may be of a very sensitive nature. As a therapist, you should provide a secure environment where information can be collected, stored, and processed securely.
There are a few cases when you, as a therapist, have a legal obligation to break confidentiality. These are:

• If the client discloses information requiring a safeguarding procedure to be activated in line with a safeguarding policy.
• If a client has a notifiable disease.

Notifiable Diseases

It is a statutory requirement that certain infectious diseases are reported to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in the district in which the client is living when the disease is diagnosed. In the UK, the person responsible for notifying the MOH is the GP in charge of the case. If, therefore, a practising member suspects a client has such a disease, they should insist that the doctor is called in. Each Local Authority decides which diseases are notifiable in its area which means there will be variations, but it is assumed that the following diseases are notifiable in all areas of the UK.

The IFPA requires all members to

• Provide their clients/students with a safe and secure environment.
• Keep well-maintained, comprehensive, dated records and registers for the time required for insurance purposes and by the IFPA.
• Keep all records and information secure and in line with the data requirements of the country in which they are practising.
• Allow clients, students, and staff the right to inspect their records upon request. You may be able to charge a fee in line with local regulations for providing this service.
• Ensure in the case of publications that great care is taken not to disclose any protected information and that all information disclosed is anonymous.
• Keep a record of all referrals and test results showing progress of the client which can be viewed by other health professionals when requested.
• Maintain accurate financial records and pay any taxes required.