Code of Ethics
As an independent laboratory, Laboratoire PhytoChemia strives to maintain a neutral and reliable position with respect to its clients and the public. To achieve this, our team applies a number of key principles to ensure that we are not involved in conflicts of interest. Here are some of our commitments in this regard.
Laboratoire PhytoChemia as a Company
Laboratoire PhytoChemia will not maintain any permanent place of business within the facilities of any of its clients, or direct competitors of any of its clients.
Laboratoire PhytoChemia will not promote, import, distribute, manufacture, supply, or sell plant-derived products, with two exceptions:
- The production of chemically defined reference standards for analytical purposes, or pure molecules intended for resale in isolated and purified form;
- As part of a pilot exploratory study conducted on behalf of a client, where the final product will not be promoted, sold, or distributed by Laboratoire PhytoChemia itself.
At no time and under no circumstances will Laboratoire PhytoChemia actively promote, endorse, or make recommendations against a specific brand other than its own (i.e., companies belonging to the Chemia Group). Public comments issued on behalf of the laboratory will be limited to specific analytical results and/or generalities not applicable to a particular brand. Analysis results apply only to the samples analyzed and will not be used by Laboratoire PhytoChemia to make inferences regarding the merits of a given brand.
When conducting research projects involving other companies, the scope of collaboration will be limited to the reasonable progress of the research project. The promotion of results from this collaboration will be limited to scientific publications and content directly derived therefrom (e.g., explanatory blog posts or videos). If any co-author holds any financial interest, however remote, in the results at the time of their publication, Laboratoire PhytoChemia will insist that such conflicts be duly and clearly declared within the manuscript.
Laboratoire PhytoChemia Staff (including Executive Staff)
Staff members will not promote, import, manufacture, distribute, or sell plant-derived products, particularly through multi-level marketing companies.
When discussing plant extracts or other plant preparations with individuals outside the company, staff members should avoid promoting, endorsing, or making negative recommendations about a brand. This excludes all plant materials intended for culinary use. These may be discussed freely as part of personal tastes and the private lives of staff members.
Staff members will not accept any gifts from companies or individuals dealing with PhytoChemia. When such gifts are made, they shall be considered as having been given to PhytoChemia and reserved for research purposes.
Laboratoire PhytoChemia Executive Staff (including Directors)
Executive staff members will not participate as speakers or guests at any corporate event held by a specific brand doing business with PhytoChemia, nor will they publicly discuss the pros and cons of a given brand or product line. They may participate in events organized by groups of several companies normally competing with each other, and in such cases will limit their interventions to general information of a scientific or factual nature. They may also participate in corporate events as observers, without remuneration.
At all times when speaking publicly or on social media, executive staff members must maintain a neutral, objective, and scientifically supported tone.
Directors and Owners (Voting Shareholders) of PhytoChemia
Directors shall not have any financial interest or make investments in companies or organizations manufacturing or distributing products submitted for analysis by PhytoChemia, including but not limited to essential oils, fragrances, cannabis products, and herbs or plant extracts intended for cosmetic or medicinal purposes. The exceptions applying to PhytoChemia as a company also apply to this point.
Directors shall at no time maintain an employment relationship with a private organization that is also a client (or a direct competitor of a client) of Laboratoire PhytoChemia for analytical services, nor have maintained such relationships within the 12 months preceding the time they became a director or owner. Should such a client wish to do business with PhytoChemia, the request must be declined due to an apparent conflict of interest.