This document comprises guidelines on basic training and safety in acupuncture. The guidelines on basic training cover basic requirements for training non-physician acupuncturists and physicians wishing to use acupuncture in their clinical work and include a core syllabus. These are intended to assist national health authorities in setting standards and establishing official examinations as well as medical schools and institutions wishing to arrange training programmes. The guidelines on safety in acupuncture are intended for hospitals, clinics, and practitioners and provide standards for safety in the clinical practice of acupuncture.