European Candle Safety: A Simple, Practical Guide for Makers - Including Me :o)

I originally pulled these notes together for myself, just to keep everything in one place while I was learning how European candle safety actually works. But the more I organised it, the more I realised it might help other makers too. So rather than keeping it buried in a folder on my laptop, it made sense to pop it onto my website where I (and anyone else) can easily review it whenever needed.

If you’re making or selling candles in the UK or Europe, hopefully this saves you a bit of time — and maybe a few headaches.

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The Standards That Matter

If you’re selling candles in the UK or Europe, you’ll notice there isn’t one neat “Candle Law” that explains everything. Instead, you’re dealing with a mix of regulations, voluntary standards, and labelling rules. It sounds complex, but once you know what applies to you, it becomes pretty straightforward.

Three voluntary European standards sit at the heart of candle safety:

• BS EN 15493:2019 – Fire safety
• BS EN 15494:2019 – Safety labelling
• BS EN 15426:2018 – Soot testing

These aren’t legally required, but they’re highly recommended because they help show compliance with the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) — and those are legally binding^[1][2].

If your candles contain fragrance oils, then the CLP Regulation applies too. CLP is a legal requirement for any scented candle^[3][4].

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Five Simple Steps to Make Your Candles Safe

1. Burn Test Every Candle (Properly!)

Before selling, burn test every candle — ideally three identical samples under the same controlled conditions^[5][6].

Basic setup:

• Room temperature: 20°C ± 5°C
• No draughts
• Wick trimmed to 5–10mm

During the test, check and record the following:

What to Check	Requirement
Flame height:	Under 75mm for jars/pillars; under 30mm for tea lights[1][7][8]
Stability:	Must stay upright on a 10° slope[7][8]
Secondary ignition:	No flare-ups longer than 10 seconds[8]
Container safety:	No cracking or breakage[6]
After-smoke:	Wick shouldn’t glow or smoke for more than 20 seconds[8]

A quick tip: take photos or videos. It’s perfect evidence if Trading Standards ever ask^[1].

2. Use Safe Containers & Secure Sustainers

Not all containers are suitable for candles. Use glass or ceramics specifically intended for candle use, ideally with an annealing certificate from your supplier^[9].

Sustainers (the metal bases that hold the wick) also play a major role:

• Taller sustainers (5–11mm) help the flame extinguish before the very bottom heats too much.
• Prevents wax overheating.
• Reduces fire risk.

Always make sure the sustainer:

• Is glued firmly to the base of the container
• Has no holes punched into the neck
• Holds the wick upright and secure^[9]

3. Handle Fragrance Loads Carefully

Fragrance affects flash point — and therefore safety.

For example, adding a fragrance with a 70°C flash point at just 2.5% can bring wax down from 200°C to around 90°C^[9].

Good practice:

• Avoid oils below 60°C flash point
• Don’t overload your wax with fragrance
• Check Section 9 of your Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Watch out for “clubbing” fragrances that create oversized flames and carbon build-up^[9]

4. Label Your Candles Correctly

The BS EN 15494:2019 standard outlines exactly what a safety label should include.

Every candle needs^[10][11]:

• The general warning triangle
• Four core warnings:
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.
  • Keep away from anything flammable.
  • Keep away from children and pets.
  • Burn on a heat-resistant, stable surface.

Container candles should also include a warning that the container gets hot^[9].

You can add extra icons (wick trimming, keeping the wax pool clear of debris, not moving the candle when lit), but try not to overcrowd the label — people stop reading when it looks too busy^[9].

5. Follow CLP Labelling for All Scented Candles

If your candle contains fragrance, CLP labelling is mandatory.

Your CLP label should include^[3][4][9]:

• Supplier name and address.
• Telephone number.
• Wax weight (excluding container).
• Product identifier (matching your SDS).
• Correct hazard pictograms.
• Signal word (“Warning” or “Danger”).
• Relevant hazard statements.
• Up to six precautionary statements.

Fragrances often contain sensitising ingredients that trigger labelling requirements from as low as 0.1% concentration, so always check the SDS carefully^[9].

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Keep a Technical File (for Six Years)

A technical file shows due diligence and should include^[9]:

• Recipes and formulations
• Supplier Safety Data Sheets
• Raw material purchase records
• Burn test results and reports
• Risk assessments
• Label and packaging specifications
• Customer complaints
• Recall procedure

If regulators ever want to see proof of safety, this is what you show them.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Botanicals
Beautiful, but risky. Loose botanicals can ignite or drift too close to the flame. If you use them, design the candle so they stay embedded safely in the outer wax wall^[9].

Multi-wick jars
Wicks drifting together create intense heat. Use the smallest wicks that still burn well and glue them securely so they can’t move^[9].

Banned claims
CLP forbids terms like non-toxic, eco-friendly, safe, or anything that suggests a hazardous product is harmless^[9]. Bug-repellent imagery also requires HSE registration.

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Professional Testing Options

If in doubt, UK labs can run EN 15493 burn tests for you. For example, Candle Shack offers testing for candles up to 250g^[5]. A proper certificate is especially handy if you’re pitching to retailers who want evidence of safety testing.

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Final Thoughts

I didn’t write these notes to tick a bureaucratic box — I wrote them to properly understand what safe candle-making really means. The more I learned, the more obvious it became that good testing and clear labelling aren’t just “rules”… they’re part of running a trustworthy business.

I also hope that consumers can use this information. Knowing some of the things to look out for may help you avoid buying a potentially dangerous candle.

Hopefully this helps you the same way it’s helped me.

AND FINALLY TO COVER MY AR** HERES A DISCLAIMER

The information in this guide is provided for general reference only and reflects my understanding of European candle safety at the time of writing. It should not be taken as legal advice. Regulations may change, and requirements can vary depending on your products and processes. For complete guidance, always check the relevant legislation and consult your local Trading Standards or a qualified compliance professional. (November 2025).

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Sources

1. Candle Making: How To Test For Safety – Candle Shack
2. Candles, diffusers, oil heaters, etc – Business Companion
3. CLP candle label regulations – Taobe Consulting
4. Obligations of EU candle and reed diffuser producers under REACH and CLP – HSA
5. Candle Fire Safety Testing – Candle Shack
6. SIST EN 15493:2020 - oSIST prEN 15493:2019 – iTeh Standards
7. Candle testing requirements UK – Reddit
8. Candle regulation and testing – Enrich Bodycare
9. JANUARY 2024 Advice Pack – British Candle Makers Federation
10. Joint advice from Trading Standards and the British Candlemakers – BCBF
11. Product Safety and CLP information – Candle Shack
12. Understanding CLP Regulations for Home Fragrance Products – Scent Perfique
13. SIST-EN-15493-2020.pdf – iTeh Standards
14. Candle Testing: A Laboratory Guide to Methods and Regulations – Contract Laboratory
15. Scented Candles & EU Compliance: UFI, SDS, Synapse – Quintessence
16. BS EN 15493:2019 – BSI Knowledge
17. Candle Safety Standards and Regulations in the EU: An Overview – Compliance Gate
18. Entering the European market for candles – CBI
19. Complying with CLP when making or importing candles – EU Publications
20. BS EN 15493:2019 (PDF) – Scribd
21. Candle Safety – Testing & Labelling Solutions – SGS