
If you're selling candles, it's important to know the legal requirements for candle labels to ensure your customers' safety. The National Candle Association (NCA) has played a pivotal role in developing industry standards for candle fire safety labeling, and it's recommended that candle manufacturers follow the ASTM F2058 Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling. This means that every candle should have a cautionary label listing key rules for candle fire safety, such as not burning a candle for longer than four hours at a time. The label should also provide crucial information about ingredients, potential hazards, and proper usage instructions. These labels can be placed anywhere on the candle or container, but they must be able to withstand extreme temperatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Informing and educating customers on potential dangers and safety measures |
| Information | Candle type, scent, wax type, weight, safety instructions, ingredients, hazards, usage instructions, logo, company name, location, etc. |
| Placement | On the candle, candle container, or packaging |
| Shape | Square, rectangle, circle, oval, triangle, long rectangle |
| Material | Flame-retardant, stain-resistant, moisture-resistant |
| Temperature withstanding capacity | Up to 1500°F (815°C) |
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What You'll Learn
- Fire safety labels are required by the National Candle Association (NCA) to educate consumers and ensure safety
- Candle labels must include general safety information, such as burn time, to prevent fire hazards
- The NCA recommends using durable, temperature-resistant materials like BOPP for candle labels
- Candle labels must meet legal requirements, including front-facing label specifications set by the FPLA
- Safety labels can be placed anywhere on the candle or container, with many manufacturers opting for the bottom

Fire safety labels are required by the National Candle Association (NCA) to educate consumers and ensure safety
The NCA recommends that candle manufacturers use specific files to create fire safety labels, utilising the ASTM F2058 Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labelling. This standard includes graphic safety symbols that serve as visual reminders of the candle fire safety rules. These symbols include "Burn within sight", "Keep away from combustibles", and "Keep away from children and pets". The labels should also include candle-burning instructions, such as when to trim the wick to reduce smoking.
In addition to the graphic safety symbols, there are three basic warnings that should be included on each candle's fire safety label. These warnings are: "Burn within sight", "Keep away from flammables", and "Keep away from children and pets". It is also recommended to include candle-burning instructions on the warning label to reinforce these three basic warnings.
The NCA also provides information on the safety of candle wicks. They note that lead wicks have been banned in the United States since 2003 and that NCA members voluntarily agreed to stop using lead wicks in 1974. The NCA has long supported the elimination of lead wick use.
Overall, the NCA's fire safety labels are an important tool to educate consumers on candle fire safety and ensure that candle manufacturers meet the necessary safety specifications. By following the NCA's guidelines, candle manufacturers can help prevent candle-related fires and demonstrate their commitment to responsible business practices.
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Candle labels must include general safety information, such as burn time, to prevent fire hazards
Candle labels are important for legal compliance and consumer safety. While it is not legally required to include safety information on candles, it is highly recommended. The presence of a warning label demonstrates a commitment to customers' well-being and can protect a company from liability in the event of candle misuse.
Candle labels must follow the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) and include the company name and manufacturer location by city and state. The FPLA also covers legal requirements for front-facing labels. On rectangular containers, the label must cover one side, while on round containers, it must cover 40% of the surface. The safety warning label can be placed anywhere on the candle or container, including the bottom, which keeps the main product label uncluttered and is more likely to be left in place by consumers.
Candle labels must include general safety information to prevent fire hazards. The National Candle Association (NCA) recommends candle manufacturers use the ASTM F2058 Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling, which includes three key rules for candle fire safety: Burn Within Sight, Keep Away from Children, and Burn no longer than the recommended time, typically four hours at a time. Burning a candle for longer may cause carbon to collect on the wick and cause the flame to get too big and the candle to smoke. Other safety information to include is whether the candle has a lead-free wick and instructions on trimming wicks to a certain height before burning.
The warning labels should be clear and visible, with appropriate sizing and legible fonts to enhance consumer understanding of important information. California has its own label regulations, with Proposition 65 requiring companies to state when substances linked to causing cancer are present in their products. It is important to research the specific requirements of each state in which the candle product will be sold.
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The NCA recommends using durable, temperature-resistant materials like BOPP for candle labels
Candle labels are subject to various safety standards and legal requirements. In the United States, candle manufacturers must meet industry standards and recommendations from organisations such as the National Candle Association (NCA), Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA), and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These standards cover all types of wax candles and flammable candle-like products, including those used in holders, warmers, and containers.
The NCA, in particular, plays a pivotal role in educating consumers about candle fire safety and developing national industry standards for candle labelling. They recommend that candle labels include three critical fire safety statements and graphic safety symbols to represent each rule. These symbols can be downloaded from the NCA website. Additionally, the NCA suggests that manufacturers include burning instructions on their candle labels.
To ensure that candle labels remain intact and legible, they must be able to withstand extreme temperatures and wide temperature fluctuations. The NCA recommends using durable, temperature-resistant materials like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) for candle labels. BOPP labels can withstand temperatures up to 300°F (149°C), which is sufficient for most waxes that melt between 120°F and 160°F (49°C to 71°C).
Other factors to consider when choosing a label material include the application surface and process. Different surfaces, such as wax, glass, or metal, require specific adhesives to ensure proper adhesion. For example, a thick BOPP material with an acrylic adhesive is more likely to withstand the heat of a candle. Direct thermal paper, on the other hand, should be avoided as it turns black when exposed to heat. If lot numbers or unique information need to be printed on the labels, thermal transfer printing is recommended.
By following the NCA's recommendations and choosing suitable materials and adhesives, candle manufacturers can create effective and durable labels that meet safety standards and provide important information to consumers.
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Candle labels must meet legal requirements, including front-facing label specifications set by the FPLA
The FPLA also requires that labels include safety information, such as cautionary labels or tags listing key rules for candle fire safety. These labels typically include graphic safety symbols and are important for reducing the risk of fires and injuries. The National Candle Association (NCA) has played a pivotal role in developing industry standards for fire-safety labeling and design. They recommend candle manufacturers utilize the ASTM F2058 Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling, which includes guidelines for symbols such as "Burn within sight" and "Keep away from combustibles".
In addition to the FPLA requirements, candle labels must also comply with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations. The CPSC requires safety labels to provide consumers with detailed information to ensure safe usage. This includes instructions on how and when to trim the candle wick, which types of surfaces are safe for burning, and warnings to avoid burning candles close to flammable materials.
It is important to note that candle labels must be able to withstand extreme temperatures and wide temperature fluctuations without becoming damaged. The chosen label material should be flame-resistant and resistant to heat, such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The print quality is also crucial, ensuring that product and safety information is clear and easily readable.
Overall, candle labels must meet legal requirements, including those set by the FPLA, to ensure consumer safety and compliance with industry standards.
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Safety labels can be placed anywhere on the candle or container, with many manufacturers opting for the bottom
Safety labels are an essential feature of candles, providing customers with crucial information about candle safety, ingredients, potential hazards, and proper usage instructions. These labels are designed to inform and educate customers about the potential dangers of improper candle usage and how to keep themselves and others safe. While an eye-catching label design is important for attracting customers, candle labels must also meet important safety standards and legal requirements.
Candle safety labels should include information related to the usage, burning, extinguishing, and storage of candles. This information should be tailored to the specific type of candle, such as floating candles, container candles, or pillar candles. For example, safety information for floating candles may differ slightly from that of a container candle. The National Candle Association (NCA) has developed industry standards for fire-safety labelling, and reputable candle manufacturers are expected to adhere to these standards.
The NCA recommends that candle manufacturers use graphic safety symbols, such as "Burn within sight," "Keep away from combustibles," and "Keep away from children," on their candle labels. These symbols provide important visual reminders of the candle fire-safety rules. In addition, the NCA has example labels and official pictograms available on its website for manufacturers to use as a guide.
The most common material choice for candle labels is biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), which is stain-resistant and does not react to moisture or other elements. Candle manufacturers can also choose to use unique label shapes, such as circles, ovals, triangles, or long rectangles, to make their products stand out while still providing enough room for all the required information.
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Frequently asked questions
Flame retardant labels are not a requirement for candles. However, it is important to have cautionary labels that list fire safety instructions and rules.
The National Candle Association (NCA) recommends candle manufacturers use the ASTM F2058 Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling. This includes instructions such as not burning a candle for longer than 4 hours at a time to reduce the risk of fire.
The safety warning label can be placed anywhere on the candle or its container. Many manufacturers choose to place it on the bottom to keep the main product label uncluttered.
The NCA recommends using biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) self-adhesive labels. This material is durable and immune to temperature fluctuations.







































