FAQs

A: There are five membership classes, each of which has different joining requirements. Applications for Full and Associate memberships must be supported by two sponsors from the Society who should have been Members for at least twelve months, and have known the applicant personally and professionally for at least two years. At least one of the sponsors for non-UK membership applications needs to be a UK resident.

All members are elected by a council resolution with not less than two-thirds of those present voting in favour.

Written applications should be submitted to the Honorary Secretary and will be considered by the Council at the first meeting following receipt. Membership application forms are available on request from roger@britishsocietyofperfumers.co.uk.

Full Member

Full Members will have spent at least five years working as a perfumer practising the art and science of perfumery. A generally accepted perfumer is one whose main employment is in a perfumery laboratory creating and developing fragrances. Full Membership applications require two Full Member sponsors who should have been paid-up members of the Society for at least twelve months.

Associate Member

Associate Membership is open for applicants over 20 years of age who have spent at least two years continuously employed in a qualifying capacity. Associate Members contribute to perfumery in a technical or olfactory capacity and work in technical, commercial and marketing roles. An Associate Membership may be granted if a direct relationship to the fragrance industry can be shown to the satisfaction of the Council. Associate Membership applications require two sponsors, one of whom needs to be a Full Member and both of whom should have been paid-up members of the Society for at least twelve months.

Student Member

Student Members should be at least over seventeen years of age and be undertaking a full-time course of study in the art and science of perfumery, or perfumery business studies validated by the society at a university or other establishment of further education. They will be eligible to remain a Student Member for the duration of the course and for a period following graduation, provided they achieve the standard specified at the beginning of the course. Students on the ISPICA, Givaudan and ICATS courses should qualify on presentation of their student ID or via an application from their tutor. Students on other perfumery courses will be considered on a case-per-case basis.

Friends of the Society

This is a new membership type for people who are interested in perfumery but who are not eligible for membership.

Honorary Member

Upon the recommendation of the Council, the Society may, by a majority vote at the Annual General Meeting elect an individual as Honorary Member in recognition of their services to the Society and/or perfumery industry. In a similar manner, Honorary Membership may also be conferred upon fellow societies.

A: Yes, you can. Most of our events are open to Members and non-members. Our lectures, excursions and workshops cover perfumery and related topics; olfaction, flavour, biology and more.

The cost of attending our events for non-members is £10 per head, payable in advance. Each event listing has further information on ways to pay.

A: There are some excellent perfumery books published by Allured Business Media, Wiley and many others. Specific recommendations from The British Society of Perfumers would require the creation and management of strict criteria for inclusion, which falls outside of the scope of the Society’s activities. However, looking at trusted sources such as the official text books chosen for perfumery courses or reading through online reviews can be a helpful guide to choosing the most relevant books for your library. The available books range from coffee-table style books to highly technical volumes.

The British Society of Perfumers has access to 50 years of insider information and entertaining anecdotes about the history of British Perfumery. That’s one of the reasons it produced and published a book, “British Perfumery, a Fragrant History”, which is a unique look at the stories, heritage and future of British perfumery. All members of the BSP get a copy as part of their membership. The book is also available to buy from our website here.

A: Many people are interested in a career as a perfumer and as the British Society of Perfumers we can really appreciate why! Commercial perfumery is a skill which is ultimately learned through many years of practical experience and one of the ways to access this might be to enter the industry through another route. IFRA has published some information about the job roles in fragrance.

If your main motivation is to create fine fragrances as a method of self-expression, and to have your own brand, there are now many independent course providers offering training to match. The British Society of Perfumers isn’t set up to currently vet or endorse any training courses but may do so in the future. We do recommend that before enrolling on a course, you should check the qualifications and experience of the course provider, as well as familiarise yourself with the contents of the course.

The ISIPCA (Institut Supérieur International du Parfum, de la Cosmétique et de l’Aromatique alimentaire) based in Versailles, France is one potential route to commercial perfumery, as are internal perfumery schools in some of the larger fragrance companies, such as Givaudan.

Many people who are interested in a career in perfumery may prefer a career as an evaluator – a kind of ‘professional consumer’ working closely with perfumers. If you are interested in the fragrance industry and like to keep up with trends in fragrance (be it fine fragrance or fabric conditioner) this might be a more satisfying path.

Attending lectures and events, undertaking training which demonstrates understanding and commitment and being open to opportunities within the industry are all ways in which you can make progress.

The International Centre of Aroma Trades offers an IFEAT Diploma in Aroma Trades Studies via Plymouth University as a distance-learning course for people working in the aroma trades industry. This is a little bit like an MBA in perfumery.

The BSP runs a weekend workshop in perfumery every other year. Do keep checking our website for updates on workshops, lectures and other learning opportunities.

A: We can forward your question to our members if you contact roger@britishsocietyofperfumers.co.uk.

A: You can send perfume through the post within the UK, in its original retail packaging (or sample packaging), and the Post Office will give you a label to put on your package that indicates that the package contains perfume.

If you are sending something abroad by post, it must not contain any flammable solvent.

The only way to send finished perfume abroad is via a carrier like Fedex. The goods must be packed in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods regulations.

The person who packs the goods must be qualified, and all the marking, labelling, packing and paperwork must conform.

There are fixed charges, too, and it is unlikely that a bottle of perfume could be sent for less than £100.