T.G.A is the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and they are responsible for maintaining quality, safety and efficacy of therapeutic goods used in and exported from Australia.

Essential oils are considered to be therapeutic goods, as research indicates they provide therapeutic benefit. In order for a company to make therapeutic claims, it must have a listing with the TGA. They must also be able to prove that the claims they are making are backed up by substantial evidence.

abp have gone through an intensive process to ensure that we meet the stringent requirements of the TGA, and that all claims made are genuine and provable. Technical requirements of TGA listed products include:

· AUST L or AUST R number must be displayed on the primary packaging

· Detailed and accurate labeling showing common name, botanical species and plant part

· Display of batch numbers and expiry date

· Display of storage conditions and product cautions

· Display of therapeutic use of the product

abp’s TGA listing means we have met strict industry standards and can be trusted to provide authentic products and realistic claims.

There are a number of ways and combination of reasons for listing different types of essential oil within a plant type.

The most common reason stems from the fact that some plants are grown in different countries. Lavender, for example, is grown in Europe, Australia, France, Bulgaria and Spain. Due to differences in climate conditions and growing techniques, the properties of the essential oil from the same botanical species are often very different.

Another reason for variety is that the oil itself may be derived from different parts of the plant, resulting in variations in the properties and odour of the oil. For example, Petitgrain is derived from the leaves of the plant, Orange Bitter from the fruit, and Neroli from the flowers, but all are from the same botanical species (Citrus aurantium ssp. amara)

A less common but equally valid reason for providing variants in essential oils is difference in botanical species for the same type of oil. For example, Cypress is derived from three botanical species including Cupressus sempervirens, Callitris intratropica, and Callitris glaucophylla. Due to the differences in each botanical species, there will be significant variations in the properties of the essential oil produced.

These reasons or a combination of each mean that there are many different essential oils produced, within the same basic plant type. In order to provide a full range to our customers, abp endeavours to source the very best.

Organic Essential Oils:  Organic farming can briefly be described as using methods of crop and natural systems to sustain and build soil fertility, minimise pollution and damage to the environment. Organic plants are grown without the use of agrochemical pesticides, weed killers, synthetic fertiliser etc.

Organic essential oils come from plants grown using this method, but the farms in which they are grown have not achieved “Certified Organic” accreditation.

"Certified Organic" means plants have been grown according to strict uniform standards which are verified by an independent state or private organisation. A farm that produces certified organic plants and essential oils has met the strict standards criteria, and has been issued with certification that all products produced are organic.

A method that combines the features of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to simultaneously separate and identify different chemicals within an essential oil or fragrance

Australian Botanical Products’ 100% pure essential oils are predominantly grown by four methods. The way in which a plant is grown has an effect on the quality of the end product. It can also have an effect on the actual yield of oil gathered from the crop, which will in turn affect the price in the market.

The four identified growing methods are:

1. Wild

Plants are grown and harvested from natural or wild growing crops.

2. Pure

Natural Authentic Plants grown are true to species. They are 100% pure, natural, authentic botanical species. In the case of ABP, a pure essential oil is one that has not been adulterated. Oils produced in this manner have adhered to strict quality standards and are produced and farmed according to internationally accepted procedures.

3. Organic

Organic farming can briefly be described as using methods of crop and natural systems to sustain and build soil fertility, minimise pollution and damage to the environment. Organic plants are grown without the use of agrochemical pesticides, weed killers, synthetic fertiliser etc.

Organic essential oils come from plants grown using this method, but the farms in which they are grown have not achieved “Certified Organic” accreditation.

4. Certified Organic

Certified means plants have been grown according to strict uniform standards which are verified by an independent state or private organisation. A farm that produces certified organic plants and essential oils has met the strict standards criteria, and has been issued with certification that all products produced are organic.

Nature identical refers to an oil which has had a component added, either natural or artificial, with a chemical structure identical to that found in nature.

It is possible to identify a natural product compared to a nature-identical one through Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. Australian Botanical Products conducts GC/MS trace analysis on every batch of essential oil. The ability to identify true natural oils is critical in meeting our customers' expectations.

The vast majority of essential oils produced worldwide are for the flavour, fragrance, and hygiene industry - an industry that does not need a botanically pure product but rather a consistent and reasonably-priced product.

It is possible to create natural products using natural isolates and essential oils. ABP are able to manufacture these upon request for anyone who has a use for this type of product. These oils are not suitable for aromatherapy or TGA applications but perfectly satisfactory for commercial and industrial applications such as perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries.

Nature-identical oil is often traded commercially. It is still 100% natural; that is, it does not contain any chemical constituents or synthetic fragrances.

Within every essential oil, there are naturally occurring constituents. For example, Rose Oil contains elements of a natural fraction called Citronellol. As Rose oil is very expensive, the price can be lowered by adding the cheaper fraction Citronellol (derived from Citronella), to the Rose essential oil.

Technically, the end product is still Rose Oil, but has been 'diluted' by the addition of a cheaper constituent. All components of the oil are still 100% natural, but are the end product is now considered to be of a commercial grade.

These are aromatherapy-grade essential oils and are 100% pure and natural. The oil is sourced from one named botanical species, and only one geographical location or origin. The oil specifically comes only from the ‘named source’.

For example, Lavender Bulgarian comes from Lavandula angustifolia, sourced from Bulgaria.

There has been no tampering with these oils, and no artificial or natural components have been added. 100% pure and natural oils are genuine and true representatives of the plant from which they are derived.