I tell students, that if they are unhappy about the genuiness of their oils, to take them to their local trading standards department Of course the trading standards people then need to be supplied with information on who they can get to analyse the oils correctly. The aspect of correct analysis is critically important. Many essential oils are manufactured so expertly, that only a trade analyst with great experience and who knows the cost of substitute chemicals, can determine the phoney essential oil from the genuine. Unfortunately in the UK, the definition in law of what constitutes the term natural is somewhat woolly. Other countries however have successfully tackled that problem and defined in law what the term natural should mean.
Most countries have governmental systems in place designed to prevent fraud.
Therefore if you own a shop, or retail essential oils, ask for written confirmation that the oils supplied are genuine. Never ever accept a salespersons word. If you are in a shop and you hear an assistant advise a customer on the internal use of essential oils, then don t be afraid to interrupt. Ask for confirmation of the assistant s qualifications and on their ability to prove that their oils are suitable for internal consumption. Ask your trade publications why it is, that when dishonest essential oil traders are sent to prison for fraud.