European Federation of Osteopaths (EFO)

The European Federation of Osteopaths was founded and recognised by the Belgian law as an INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION. The Royal Decree of 14 August 1992 recognised its statutes and granted the federation the status of legal entity.

The EFO registered office is located at the Maison des Associations Internationales (International Association Centre), 40 rue de Washington in 1050 Brussels .

President : Armand Gersanois, DO, Vice-president : Eric Gery, DO, Treasurer : Dimitri Boulanger, DO, General Secretary : Claude Rousseau, DO.

The European Federation of Osteopaths (EFO) was mainly created to represent the professionals of each European country before supranational authorities.

In each European country, the Osteopaths DO seek to exercise their profession as do other health practitioners. They propose, along with their freedom to practise, an optimal quality of care, a control of osteopathic training and professional conduct. Osteopaths want their discipline to be integrated in the general health policy of their country.

In Great Britain , the right to practise as an osteopath is recognised since June 1993.

The building of a Europe without borders should lead to a harmonization of the status of osteopath in the different Member States of the European Union. The free movement of persons and services, a basic principle of the Treaty of Rome, is not compatible with the present situation. The osteopathic profession can no longer be forbidden in certain countries and at the same time be recognised in other European countries and outside of Europe (as for example in the United States where it is one of the arts of healing).

The European Federation of Osteopaths aims at the recognition of the DO practice in all the countries of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The federation also encourages the harmonization of osteopathic education in the different colleges, universities or private institutions. The federation also supports the creation of a European Academy of Osteopathy which needs to be independent of other structures, including EFO.

The European Federation of Osteopaths is thus the association where all the osteopaths DO, graduated in Europe , gather through the national professional associations representing them in each European country. Being a member of the European Register of Osteopaths confirms for each professional his/her respect of a code of ethics and his/her competence with a high level of responsibility.

Belgium , France , Greece , Portugal , Germany and Luxemburg became members of EFO.
Austria has just applied for membership.
The federation has correspondents in Russia .
EFO also has national delegations in Great Britain , Holland , Cyprus . and in the United States .

The Charter of the European Federation of Osteopaths, formerly European Register Osteopaths (ERO)

	EFO shall coordinate all efforts by DO professional associations to gain legal recognition of osteopathy in each of the Member States of the European Union. > The federation proposes to establish common criteria for professional practice, a code of ethics and minimal training standards. > It will stimulate consultation among all the European Member States and of the Council of Europe in order to promote the creation of a European Academy of Osteopathy as an autonomous and independent structure. > It will act as a spokesperson for the European osteopaths DO with the Commission of the European Communities and the European Parliament. EFO will avoid undue interference into national policies concerning professional defense. EFO also wishes to see extra-European associations of osteopaths support its action and participate in its efforts towards the recognition of osteopaths and their freedom to practise their art.