Candle label requirements: the complete checklist
Selling handmade candles? A compliant label comes down to four things: a fire-safety warning, an accurate net-weight statement, your business identity, and — for California — a Prop 65 warning. Here is exactly what each one needs.
The candle-label checklist at a glance
| Element | Required? | Governing standard |
|---|---|---|
| Fire-safety warning | Yes (in practice) | ASTM F2058 |
| Net-weight statement | Yes | FPLA — 15 U.S.C. §1453; 16 CFR 500 |
| Maker / distributor identity | Yes | FPLA — 15 U.S.C. §1453; 16 CFR 500 |
| Truthful, non-misleading info | Yes | CPSC — 15 U.S.C. §2051 et seq. |
| Prop 65 warning | Only if sold in California | 27 CCR §25603 |
1. Fire-safety warning (ASTM F2058)
ASTM F2058, the Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles, prescribes a cautionary statement: the safety-alert symbol, the signal word WARNING, and three precautionary statements (burn within sight; keep away from things that catch fire; keep away from children and pets), plus practical burn guidance. It must be legible and conspicuous when the candle is positioned for use, and may appear on packaging or a tag for small candles. Read the full ASTM F2058 explainer →
2. Net-weight statement (FPLA)
The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act requires an accurate net quantity of contents on the principal display panel, in both US customary and metric units (US first, metric in parentheses), placed in the bottom 30% of the front panel. For candles, this is the net weight of wax — for example, Net Wt 8 oz (227 g). Read the full net-weight explainer →
3. Maker / distributor identity (FPLA)
The FPLA also requires the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. If your business is not the manufacturer, qualify the line — for example "Manufactured for" or "Distributed by." A street address is required only when the firm is not listed in a current city or telephone directory.
4. CPSC: truthful and complete
Candles are consumer products under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (15 U.S.C. §2051 et seq.). The CPSC can act against products with substantial hazards, so every warning and instruction on your label must be truthful, complete, and not misleading. Following ASTM F2058 (and ASTM F2417 for accessories such as warmers) reflects CPSC fire-safety expectations.
5. Prop 65 warning (California only)
If you sell candles into California and they can expose consumers to a chemical on California's Proposition 65 list above the safe-harbor level, you must provide a clear and reasonable warning. The on-product short form (27 CCR §25603) reads, for example: ⚠ WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm — www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. Read the full Prop 65 short-form explainer →
Put it all together
A finished container-candle label typically carries: the product/scent name, the ASTM F2058 fire-safety warning, the net-weight statement low on the front panel, your business identity line, and — if you ship to California — the Prop 65 short-form warning. Our free checker assembles the exact, citation-backed copy for your specific candle type and weight in seconds.
Check your candle label for freeFree requirements checklist + preview of the exact compliant copy — no signup.Frequently asked questions
What is legally required on a candle label?
In practice: a fire-safety warning following ASTM F2058, a net-weight statement and a manufacturer/distributor identity line under the FPLA, truthful and complete information per CPSC authority, and — only if sold in California — a Proposition 65 warning.
Do handmade and small-batch candles still need these labels?
Yes. The same standards apply regardless of batch size. For very small candles the warning can go on the packaging or a tag instead of the candle itself.
Which standards govern candle labels?
ASTM F2058 (fire-safety warning), the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act at 15 U.S.C. §1453 with FTC rules at 16 CFR 500 (net weight and identity), CPSC authority at 15 U.S.C. §2051 et seq., and 27 CCR §25603 (California Prop 65 short-form warning).
Is this legal advice?
No. This guide is informational only. Always verify wording against the current edition of each governing standard before printing, and consult a qualified professional for your specific product.
Informational only — not legal advice. Verify against the current governing standard before printing. LabelClear generates text from published rule data and does not guarantee regulatory approval.