Candle Safety Standards: UK Requirements (EN 15493/15494)

The Legal Framework

The General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (GPSR) require all products sold in the UK to be safe.

For candles, "safe" is defined by three European standards adopted into UK law:

• BS EN 15493 - Fire safety
• BS EN 15494 - Product safety labels
• BS EN 15426 - Sooting behaviour

EN 15493: Fire Safety

This standard covers how candles should burn safely. Key requirements:

Flame Height

The flame should not exceed specified heights during normal burning. Excessively high flames are a fire risk.

Secondary Ignition

The candle should not produce secondary flames (flare-ups) during burning. This can happen with too much fragrance oil or poor wicking.

End of Burn

The candle should self-extinguish safely when the wax is consumed. It shouldn't flare up or cause the container to crack.

Container Safety

Containers should not crack, shatter, or become dangerously hot during burning.

EN 15494: Product Safety Labels

This standard specifies what safety information must be on your candles.

Required Warning Pictograms

Yellow/black warning triangle plus symbols showing:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended
• Keep away from things that catch fire
• Keep away from children and pets

Required Text (or equivalent pictograms)

• Burn within sight
• Keep away from flammable materials
• Keep away from children and pets
• Trim wick to recommended length
• Do not burn for more than [X] hours at a time
• Stop use when [X]mm of wax remains
• Do not move when lit
• Ensure candle is placed on a heat-resistant surface

EN 15426: Sooting Behaviour

Candles should not produce excessive soot during normal burning.

Excessive soot is defined by standardised testing. Properly wicked candles with appropriate fragrance loads should pass.

Do I Need Testing?

The regulations don't require third-party testing. You can self-certify that your candles meet the standards.

However:

• You need to actually test them (burn testing every batch)
• You need to document your testing
• You need to be able to prove due diligence if something goes wrong

Professional testing provides evidence of compliance. It's not legally required, but it's good protection.

Self-Testing Your Candles

At minimum, for every product line:

1. Burn test for full burn time (not just first hour)
2. Check flame height stays reasonable
3. Check for flare-ups or secondary ignition
4. Check container doesn't overheat or crack
5. Check sooting levels
6. Document everything with dates

Documentation You Should Keep

• Batch records (what went into each batch)
• Burn test results
• Supplier information (wax, fragrance, wick sources)
• SDS sheets for all fragrances
• Customer complaints and how you resolved them

Keep records for at least 10 years. Product liability claims can arise long after sale.

Insurance

Product liability insurance is not legally required, but operating without it is risky.

If a candle causes a fire or injury, you're personally liable. Insurance protects you.

Insurers will ask about your testing and documentation. Having proper records helps get coverage and keep premiums reasonable.

Trading Standards

Local Trading Standards officers can inspect candle businesses and test products.

If your candles don't meet standards:

• Warning notices
• Required product recall
• Fines
• Prosecution for serious cases

Summary

Comply with EN 15493 (fire safety), EN 15494 (labels), and EN 15426 (sooting).

Test your candles properly. Document everything. Include safety labels.

Get insurance. It's not legally required, but it's essential protection.