Candle labels, ASTM warnings, and Prop 65: the compliance basics
Lead-free wicks (the actual requirement), required warning labels, ASTM F2417 testing, Prop 65 for California sales. What every candle seller needs on the label.
Candle labeling is governed by less stringent federal regulation than soap (no FDA cosmetic jurisdiction unless you make health claims) but has its own specific requirements that most candle makers don't know about.
Here's what's actually required.
The actual federal requirements
For candles intended for ambient use (not therapeutic), the regulating federal body is the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Federal labeling requirements:
- Net weight. Required for all candles. Listed in oz or lbs.
- Manufacturer name + address. Real working address.
- Safety warning if applicable. Specific text required (see below).
That's the federal floor. State and industry requirements layer on top.
The ASTM F2417 standard (industry baseline)
ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standard F2417 covers candle fire safety. Compliance is voluntary at federal level but typically required by:
- Most major retailers (boutique, gift shop chains)
- Insurance providers for production liability coverage
- Subscription boxes
- Large e-commerce platforms (some Amazon listings require it)
What ASTM F2417 requires:
- Specific safety warning labels. Three labels with specific symbols and exact text (see below).
- Lead-free wicks. All wicks must be cotton, hemp, or wood. Zinc-core wicks ARE allowed under F2417 but must be lead-free.
- Stable burning performance. Tested for tunneling, mushrooming, and dripping.
- Container integrity at burn temperature. Glass must not crack under expected burn conditions.
The exact required warning labels
ASTM F2417 specifies three warning labels with exact text and symbols:
| Label location | Required text |
|---|---|
| Bottom of candle | FIRE SAFETY symbol + "WARNING: To prevent fire and serious injury: Burn candle within sight. Keep away from things that catch fire. Keep away from children and pets." |
| Bottom of candle | "Do not burn longer than 4 hours at a time." |
| Bottom of candle | "Stop burning when 1/2 inch of wax remains." |
The exact wording matters for liability protection. Generic "burn safely" warnings don't provide the same legal coverage as ASTM-compliant text.
Lead-free wicks: the real requirement
Lead in candle wicks has been banned in the US since 2003. Most modern wicks are lead-free by default — all major brands (CD, ECO, LX, Premier) are lead-free.
The risk: some imported wicks from non-US sources still contain lead. If you're sourcing wicks from Amazon listings without clear US compliance documentation, request a certificate of compliance from the seller.
You don't need to label "lead-free wicks" — it's assumed and required for sale in the US.
California Prop 65
If you sell candles into California (which includes Etsy/Amazon/Shopify orders shipping there), Prop 65 applies. The rule requires warnings if products contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
For candles, the main Prop 65 concerns are:
- Paraffin wax (some sources contain trace petroleum compounds)
- Specific fragrance components (some artificial fragrances contain phthalates)
- Specific colorants (some dyes are regulated)
If your candles contain any Prop 65-listed chemicals at threshold levels, you need a Prop 65 warning. For most artisan candles using natural waxes and reputable fragrance suppliers (CandleScience, Sweet Cakes), Prop 65 doesn't typically apply.
The conservative approach: ask your fragrance supplier for a Prop 65 compliance statement. Most reputable suppliers provide it for free.
The honest compliance checklist
| Requirement | What to include |
|---|---|
| Net weight | "8 oz / 226g" (both US and metric) |
| Manufacturer info | "Made by [Business Name], [City, State, Zip]" |
| Burn time safety | "Do not burn longer than 4 hours at a time." |
| Wax remaining safety | "Stop burning when 1/2 inch of wax remains." |
| Fire warning | "Keep away from children, pets, and flammable materials." |
| If applicable: Prop 65 | "Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer..." (only if applicable) |
| Fragrance disclosure (good practice) | List the fragrance name (not required but builds trust) |
| Wax type (good practice) | "100% natural soy wax" (not required but supports marketing) |
State sales tax registration
Most states require sales tax collection on candle sales above a threshold (typically $100,000 annual or 200 transactions). If you sell to multiple states via Etsy/Shopify, you may have nexus in those states requiring registration.
For makers under $100,000 revenue, this typically doesn't apply. Above that threshold, consult a tax professional.
