IFA

The IFA is the first governing body for aromatherapy established in 1985. We regulate and accredit standards in aromatherapy for both practitioners and qualification providers. Set up for the safety of the public, we have been a registered charity since 1986. The IFA has the highest standard of training in the UK and pioneered aromatherapy in the NHS, hospices and care professions, which is why it is as accepted by the UK medical profession as it is today. Having worked with various government health committees to improve the practice of aromatherapy across the world, the IFA is actively involved with elevating academic standards and influencing policy in the CAM field. Our early tutors and experts, who created and informed our curriculum and qualifying standards, having been taught by some of the most influential names within the field and pioneers of aromatherapy itself. The IFA is extensively involved in supporting various causes and integrating aromatherapy as part of rehabilitation and care programmes and is one of the only UK charities to have invested in research. We are committed to raising awareness and offer current, scientific and empirical information.

The IFA is the Professional Body for aromatherapists and protects the public by providing a register of qualified and regulated aromatherapists and its approved by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) a UK body accountable to parliament. We set the standards that practitioners are required to meet continuously in order to be displayed on the register with strict regulation guidelines. All members are bound to abide by the IFA Professional Codes of Practice, Ethics and Conduct and have registered voluntarily. All those displayed on the register have, as a minimum, met the national occupational standards of practice in their work; hold a first aid certificate; current insurance certificate; and undertake continual professional development (CPD) on an annual basis to remain registered. We investigate complaints about alleged breaches of our Codes of Practice, Ethics and Conduct and impose disciplinary sanctions in keeping with regulatory healthcare guidelines.