Drawn up by the Société Internationale des Parfumeurs-Créateurs (SIPC), the Charter of the Perfumer-Creator aims to codify, protect and promote worldwide the role and prerogatives, and therefore the title, of Perfumer-Creator. In the absence of a legal definition, this Code of Ethics is the first reference document defining the values and principles of good practice applied within our profession.
It also provides the means to ensure adherence to these principles by members of the profession, as well as associated commercial and business partners and, more broadly, all those involved in the perfume industry.
Perfumes are part of French heritage, but also international: in 2018, UNESCO classified the perfume-related know-how of the Pays de Grasse as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The evolution and expansion of the perfume market have led to the need to define the role and expectations of Perfumer-Creators more explicitly, in order to guarantee best practices throughout the profession, for the benefit of consumers as well as companies working in the perfume industry.
The proliferation of training courses and the opening up of the profession to a wider public also require us to frame the profession in a more precise way.
A Perfumer-Creator composes and designs, through the skilful blending of fragrant raw materials of natural or synthetic origin, perfumes for specific uses in all kinds of consumer applications. The Perfumer-Creator has the expertise to design a formula in an original and aesthetic way, while respecting technical rules.
Perfumery knowledge must be acquired through a dedicated apprenticeship, typically through routes such as working in perfumery companies and attending perfumery schools.
The Perfumer-Creator Charter establishes a code of ethics and a framework of common standards and rules.
Without replacing the laws and regulations in force in each country, and while respecting the contractual obligations of each perfumer-creator, this respect for the principles of fairness, justice and transparency will strengthen both our industry and the recognition of all perfumer-creators. SIPC’s active involvement in the recommendations of an organization such as IFRA provides the necessary link between the scientific requirements and the aesthetic aspects of the profession.
This enables the industry to make itself better known to consumers, while ensuring that the creativity of perfumer-designers is recognized. The knowledge and use of this Charter by all parties will help federate the profession and demonstrate a shared desire to contribute to the success of the industry as a whole.
