Striving to achieve self regulation for what is considered a pseudo science has long been overdue, Stephen Richards has helped bring this about through his dedication to raise the standards amongst practitioners of Cosmic Ordering and the related therapies which are associated to the "behind the scenes"
work.

AoCOP has a charter to provide guidance to members and work to update and introduce new guidelines wherever  there appears to be a need. Members working to those guidelines are ‘self-regulating’, rather than looking to clients or governments for regulation. Self regulation is the logical result of action by industry participants to address a number of concerns.

If an industry does not self-regulate then some other body will impose its own regulation, either in the form of governments or through client requirements. If this happens, practitioners face the prospect of each government and each client stipulating its own, varying requirements. This causes considerable strain to each practitioner and extra, unnecessary costs. The strain includes finding out the different requirements and then complying with them. In a mature, responsible industry such as this, self-regulation is a reasonable approach with proven benefits for all parties.

If self-regulation is effective, well used and well known, it becomes a promotional tool for those who can advertise that they conform to it.

Litigation is all around us every day and it has been shown to be more vital than ever for a practitioner to be able to prove they have proper systems in place for the protection of the public from unscrupulous practitioners and practices. Conforming to safe practices that are accepted by the industry and regularly reviewed by a reputable association such as AoCOP will go a long way towards achieving that for clients.

Governments provide a basic structure of legislation to deal with a range of issues in the public interest. There is not, in any pragmatic sense, time for a government to produce detailed legislation for every part of an industry’s operations. Some parts are, in any event, not ideal for legislative control. Government action can even be avoided entirely in relation to many aspects if an industry can successfully self-regulate.

Governments, international bodies and members’ clients can and do rely on self-regulatory groups for providing a structure for legislation to build on when a need is found. They are content for industries to self-regulate, not only because it assists them, but, it could be said, it also provides someone to shift responsibility upon should they perceive the need! This encourages practitioners to ensure that their guidance is a proper reflection of good practice in their industry for all. Self-regulation improves the conduct of an industry and drives out unsafe practices together with those who use them.

Self regulation is far easier to implement quickly and to change than legislation. With technology
advancing rapidly this flexibility can be a major benefit.

With all of this in mind, Stephen Richards is pleased to undertake such a task as the president. Although AoCOP is unincorporated, as soon as any register is set up to allow such bodies as AoCOP to register as a non-profit making association then this will be complied with. Until then AoCOP will continue to head the way in self regulation.