Aromatherapy Council

About the AC

Originally we were the Aromatherapy Organisations Council (AOC) and launched in 1991. In 1998 we were the first complementary therapy to consult and have published a set of National Occupational Standards (NOS), which have subsequently been revised in 2002 and 2009. The AOC started the work towards regulation of aromatherapy by achieving national standards of education.

 

In 2000, the House of Lords report was published recommending individual therapy voluntary self regulation and with the Governments’ response in 2001 endorsing the proposals, the AOC set up a regulatory working group. This evolved into what was the Aromatherapy Consortium in 2002. The Consortium worked with the whole profession and other bodies to write and agree all the policy documents and standards that would see the UK aromatherapy profession regulated and in turn have credibility in the wider healthcare setting.

 

The Aromatherapy Council was established in December 2006, and was originally set up to be the Voluntary Self-Regulatory body for the Aromatherapy profession within the UK. Its primary role was to protect the public & also to maintain the integrity of the profession. It set minimum standards for professional training & practice. It also handled disciplinary matters & complaints concerning registrants’ fitness to practice.

 

This changed in November 2007 as a result of the modification within the regulatory objective as set down by Government in their White Paper. It was agreed that a federal style regulatory body for the whole of complementary therapies would be easier for both public safety and for multi-disciplined therapists.

 

The AC has now changed to become the Lead Body for the UK aromatherapy and the “Voice of Aromatherapy” and works with the federal regulator. It consists of all the main professional associations and awarding bodies who wish to contribute to the work of the AC and consist of  elected representatives from each of these organisations plus a lay chair .

 

For a list of all associations please visit the check an aromatherapist page

 

 

Click here     For a copy of our Constitution

 

   Click here     For copies of Council 

                         minutes & agendas of meetings

                         (from the previous AC as a

                          regulatory body as well as

                          more recent meetings)

 

The Lead Body for the UK Aromatherapy Profession