Candle Label Checklist
One hard federal requirement (lead-free wick) plus the well-documented voluntary safety themes candle sellers typically put on their labels.
Check off what your candle already has
Missing 2 federal requirements in this list: Wick is nonmetal-cored, or (if metal-cored) its lead content is at or below the legal limit; If using a metal-cored wick: outer wrapper states conformance, and a certificate is on file. These are legal requirements, not suggestions.
5 voluntary safety themes not yet reflected on your label: "Never leave a burning candle unattended" warning, "Keep away from things that can catch fire" warning, "Keep out of reach of children and pets" warning, "Trim wick to 1/4 inch before lighting" guidance, "Stop burning with roughly 1/2 inch of wax remaining" guidance.
The voluntary warning themes above paraphrase the well-documented substance of the industry’s ASTM F2058 candle warning-label standard (developed with CPSC and the National Candle Association) — they are not a verbatim quote of that copyrighted standard. For exact compliant wording, consult ASTM F2058 directly or the National Candle Association’s member resources. This checklist is informational, not legal advice.
Selling soap or cosmetics too? Check that label.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a fire-safety warning legally required on candle labels?
- The specific warning-label wording comes from a voluntary industry standard (ASTM F2058, developed with the CPSC and the National Candle Association), not a federal mandate — but the vast majority of candle makers, including small sellers, follow it. The two items in this checklist that are hard federal requirements are the metal-cored-wick lead limit and (for metal-cored-wick candles) the wrapper conformance statement.
- Why can't this tool show the exact warning-label wording?
- The verbatim text of ASTM F2058 is inside a paid ASTM standard document, which is copyrighted and wasn't available to source for this project. This checklist paraphrases the well-documented safety themes instead of guessing at or reproducing text it can't verify — consult ASTM F2058 directly or the National Candle Association's member resources for exact compliant wording.
- Does the lead-wick rule apply to my cotton wick?
- No — the federal limit applies only to metal-cored wicks (a lead content above 0.06% of the metal core's weight is banned). Nonmetal-cored wicks — cotton, paper, wood — are exempt from this specific rule entirely. If you do use a metal-cored wick, ask your supplier for lead-content confirmation, and check whether the wrapper-statement and certificate-of-conformity items apply to you.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. This is an informational checklist, not a compliance guarantee. Verify current requirements with the CPSC or a qualified professional before selling a product.