Guides
Candle Label Requirements in the US & EU: Complete Compliance Guide
Why Candle Labeling Compliance Matters
Incorrect or missing candle labels expose your business to product recalls, regulatory fines, and liability lawsuits. In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can mandate recalls for non-compliant candles, while in the EU, market surveillance authorities can pull products from shelves and impose penalties under CLP enforcement.
Beyond legal risk, proper labeling protects consumers from fire hazards and allergic reactions — and protects your brand reputation. A single recall can cost tens of thousands of dollars and permanently damage retailer relationships. For B2B buyers importing private-label candles, the responsibility for correct labeling ultimately falls on the entity placing the product on the market — that is you, the importer or brand owner.
US Candle Label Requirements
CPSC Fire Safety Labeling
The CPSC requires all candles sold in the United States to carry a fire safety warning label that complies with ASTM F2417 (Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles). This label must include:
- The safety alert symbol (triangle with exclamation mark)
- The signal word “WARNING” in uppercase
- Specific hazard statements:
- “Burn within sight.”
- “Keep away from things that catch fire.”
- “Keep away from drafts and vibrations.”
- “Keep out of reach of children and pets.”
- Corresponding pictorial icons for each warning statement
Additional US Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Net weight | Declared in both metric and imperial units (e.g., “200 g / 7.0 oz”) on the principal display panel |
| Manufacturer/distributor info | Company name and city/state (full address if not listed in a directory) |
| Country of origin | ”Made in [country]” — required by US Customs and FTC labeling rules |
| California Prop 65 | Required if the candle contains chemicals listed under Proposition 65 (e.g., certain fragrance allergens, combustion byproducts). Warning text: “WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including [chemical], which is known to the State of California to cause [cancer/birth defects].” |
Label Placement (US)
The fire safety warning label must be placed on the bottom of the candle or on the container/vessel in a location visible to the user before lighting. It must remain legible throughout the product’s usable life.
EU Candle Label Requirements (CLP Regulation)
Scented candles sold in the EU are classified as chemical mixtures under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This means they require full hazard labeling.
Required CLP Label Elements
- Hazard pictograms — Minimum size 1 cm x 1 cm (diamond with red border on white background). Common pictograms for candles:
- GHS02 (flame) — if flash point < 60 C
- GHS07 (exclamation mark) — for skin/eye irritants or sensitizers
- GHS09 (environment) — for aquatic toxicity
- Signal word — “Danger” or “Warning” depending on hazard severity
- Hazard statements (H-codes) — e.g., H226 “Flammable liquid and vapour”, H317 “May cause an allergic skin reaction”
- Precautionary statements (P-codes) — e.g., P102 “Keep out of reach of children”, P210 “Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames”
- Allergen declarations — Fragrance allergens (linalool, limonene, citronellol, geraniol, citral, etc.) present above 0.01% must be listed by name
- UFI code — The Unique Formula Identifier (16-character alphanumeric code) is mandatory for products notified to EU Poison Centres via REACH Annex VIII
- Supplier identification — Name, address, and telephone number of the EU-based responsible person
- Nominal quantity — Net weight in grams or kilograms
UK Requirements (Post-Brexit)
The UK maintains its own GB CLP regulation, largely mirroring EU CLP. Key differences:
- UK-based responsible person required (not an EU address)
- Notifications go to the UK National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) via the HSE
- Labels must reference UK-specific supplier details
If you sell in both the EU and UK, you may need two separate label versions or a combined label listing both responsible persons.
Label Design Best Practices
- Readability: Minimum font size of 1.6 mm (x-height) for text on packaging. Use high-contrast text (black on white preferred). Pictograms must not be obscured by decorative elements.
- Durability: Labels must withstand heat from candle use without peeling, fading, or becoming illegible. Use heat-resistant adhesive and smudge-proof ink. Labels must also survive shipping, handling, and retail display.
- Placement: CLP labels should be on the primary packaging or vessel, clearly visible before purchase. Fire safety labels go on the vessel bottom.
- Language: EU labels must be in the official language(s) of each member state where the product is sold. Multi-language labels are common for pan-European distribution.
Common Labeling Mistakes
- Missing fire safety warning label — The most frequent US violation and cause of CPSC enforcement actions
- Wrong pictogram size — CLP pictograms below 1 cm x 1 cm are non-compliant
- Missing allergen information — Failing to declare fragrance allergens above the 0.01% threshold
- No UFI code — Required since January 2021 for all hazardous mixtures sold to consumers in the EU
- Incorrect signal word — Using “Warning” when “Danger” is required based on classification
- Labels that peel off — Non-durable labels fail market surveillance inspection
US vs EU Label Requirements Checklist
| Element | US (CPSC/ASTM) | EU (CLP) |
|---|---|---|
| Fire safety warnings | Required (ASTM F2417) | Required (P-codes) |
| Hazard pictograms | Safety alert symbol + icons | GHS pictograms (min 1x1 cm) |
| Signal word | ”WARNING" | "Danger” or “Warning” |
| Hazard statements | Prescribed ASTM text | H-codes per classification |
| Allergen listing | Not federally required | Required (>0.01%) |
| UFI code | Not required | Required |
| Net weight | Metric + imperial | Metric only |
| Manufacturer info | Name + city/state | Full address + phone |
| Prop 65 warning | If applicable (CA) | N/A |
| Language | English | Local language(s) |
How to Get Compliant Labels
- Template resources: ASTM F2417 provides standard label layouts. The National Candle Association (NCA) offers US label templates. The ECHA website provides CLP labeling guidance, pictogram downloads, and free UFI code generation tools.
- Work with your manufacturer: A knowledgeable manufacturer will provide pre-formatted label templates that meet both US and EU requirements for each fragrance formula, along with complete Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
- Third-party compliance services: Companies specializing in regulatory affairs can generate correct CLP classifications and label text from your SDS.
Aromiso’s Labeling Support
At Aromiso, every order ships with fully compliant labeling:
- CLP-compliant labels for EU/UK markets, generated from each fragrance’s SDS with correct pictograms, H/P statements, allergen lists, and UFI codes
- ASTM F2417 fire safety warning labels for the US market
- California Prop 65 warnings included where applicable
- Labels printed on heat-resistant material with durable adhesive
We handle the regulatory complexity so you can focus on building your brand. Contact our team to discuss labeling requirements for your target market and get a compliance consultation with your next order.
