Candle Label Requirements: What's Legally Required in the US

The Two Categories: Mandatory vs. Voluntary

Candle labeling in the US falls into two buckets:

1. Mandatory — The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), enforced by the FTC. You must comply if you sell consumer products.
2. Voluntary (but industry-standard) — The ASTM F2058 fire safety warning label, developed with the CPSC and National Candle Association. Not legally required, but virtually every candle company uses it, and retailers often require it.

Skipping the mandatory requirements can result in FTC enforcement action. Skipping the voluntary safety label won't get you fined, but it could expose you to liability if someone is injured and your candle had no warning label.

Part 1: The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA)

The FPLA is a federal law that applies to all consumer products sold in the US, including candles. It requires three things on your label:

1. Statement of Identity

A generic description of what the product is. For candles, this is simply the word “Candle,” “Scented Candle,” or “Wax Melt.”

While not required, it's good practice to also list the scent name and wax type (e.g., “Soy Candle — Lavender”).

2. Company Name and Contact Information

You must include the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. At minimum, this means:

• Company name
• City and state

If the company listed is not the manufacturer, you must include “manufactured for” or “distributed by” before the company name.

You can supplement with a website, phone number, or full address, but city and state are the minimum.

3. Net Weight

The net weight of the candle (wax + wick, not including the container) must be listed in both US customary and metric units. For example: “Net Wt. 8 oz (227 g)”

The minimum font size for the weight depends on your label size:

• Label ≤ 5 sq inches: 1/16 inch minimum font height
• 5–25 sq inches: 1/8 inch minimum
• 25–100 sq inches: 3/16 inch minimum

Where Does the FPLA Label Go?

The label must be placed directly on the candle, container, or packaging. On rectangular containers, it must cover one side. On round containers, it must cover at least 40% of the surface area. For bare candles (like pillars or tapers), a hang tag counts as long as it meets minimum size requirements.

Part 2: ASTM F2058 Fire Safety Warning Label

The ASTM F2058 standard was developed in 2007 by ASTM International in collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Candle Association (NCA).

This is voluntary — it is not a law. However, it's considered the industry standard, and for good reason:

• Most retailers (including craft fairs and consignment shops) expect or require it
• It provides legal protection — if someone misuses your candle and gets hurt, having a proper warning label strengthens your defense
• Insurance companies may expect it
• It shows professionalism and builds customer trust

What the Safety Label Must Include

According to ASTM F2058, the fire safety warning label needs:

Additional Recommended Safety Instructions

Beyond the three core statements, most candle makers include additional safety text on the bottom of the candle or container:

• Trim wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting
• Do not burn for more than 4 hours at a time
• Stop burning when 1/2 inch of wax remains
• Place on a heat-resistant surface
• Keep out of drafts
• Do not move while burning or hot

These aren't required by ASTM F2058 specifically, but they're standard practice and further protect you from liability.

Where to Place the Safety Label

The safety warning can go anywhere on the candle, container, or packaging. Most makers put it on the bottom of the container for two reasons:

1. It keeps the main product label clean and attractive
2. Consumers are less likely to remove a bottom label, so the warning stays with the product

Many candle makers also put their UPC barcode and additional company info on the bottom label.

Part 3: California Proposition 65

If you sell candles to customers in California (including online sales that ship to CA), you may need a Proposition 65 warning. Prop 65 requires businesses to warn consumers about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.

Candles can potentially trigger Prop 65 requirements because burning produces soot and may release trace chemicals depending on the wax, fragrance, and dye used.

The standard Prop 65 warning looks like this:

Do you need it? Many small candle makers add a Prop 65 warning as a precaution, even if they haven't tested for specific chemical exposure levels. The penalty for not including the warning when required can be up to $2,500 per violation per day. Adding it “just in case” is common practice for businesses that sell nationwide or online.

Consult with a legal professional if you're unsure whether your specific products require this warning.

Part 4: What About Fragrance Ingredients?

Currently, there is no federal law requiring candle makers to list fragrance ingredients on their labels. The FPLA does not require ingredient lists for candles (unlike cosmetics or food).

However, some candle makers voluntarily list ingredients or allergens for transparency and customer trust. If you use the word “natural” or “organic” on your label, be aware that the FTC can pursue action if those claims are misleading.

Some states and the EU have additional fragrance disclosure requirements — if you sell internationally, research the regulations for each market.

Complete Candle Label Checklist

Here's everything you should include on your candle labels:

Front/Main Label (Required by FPLA)

• ✅ Product identity (“Soy Candle,” “Wax Melt,” etc.)
• ✅ Company name
• ✅ City and state (minimum)
• ✅ Net weight in oz and grams

Bottom/Safety Label (ASTM F2058 — Voluntary but Recommended)

• ✅ “WARNING” signal word in bold
• ✅ “Burn within sight”
• ✅ “Keep away from things that catch fire” (text or pictogram)
• ✅ “Keep away from children” (text or pictogram)
• ✅ Additional burn instructions (trim wick, max burn time, etc.)

Optional but Recommended

• Scent name
• Wax type (soy, coconut, etc.)
• Burn time estimate
• Website or social media handle
• UPC barcode (if selling in retail)
• Lot/batch number (for quality tracking)
• Prop 65 warning (if selling to California)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting the net weight — This is legally required and often overlooked by new makers
• Listing weight with the container — Net weight means the candle only, not the jar
• No safety warning at all — Even though it's voluntary, operating without one is a liability risk
• Using “natural” or “non-toxic” loosely — The FTC can challenge misleading claims. If you haven't tested to verify a claim, don't make it
• Ignoring Prop 65 — If you sell online and ship to California, this applies to you
• Font too small — The FPLA specifies minimum font sizes based on label area

Where to Learn More

• CPSC Candle Business Guidance — Official CPSC page on candle standards
• National Candle Association — Read the Label — Example labels and official pictograms
• ASTM F2058 — The fire safety labeling standard
• California Prop 65 Warnings — Official state resource