Quick answer: A candle warning label follows ASTM F2058: the safety alert symbol, the word “WARNING”, then “Burn within sight.”, “Keep away from things that catch fire.” and “Keep away from children.” It must be visible at the point of sale. The main candle label also needs the product identity, net weight in ounces and grams, and the maker’s or distributor’s name and address.
Key facts at a glance
- Why it matters: NFPA reports an average of 7,400 US home fires started by candles each year (2015 to 2019), with 90 deaths and 670 injuries
- Fire safety warning: ASTM F2058 sets the wording, symbol, letter size and placement
- Status: CPSC lists ASTM F2058 as a voluntary standard, but many retailers require it, and it is the accepted industry warning
- Boxed candles: jar and freestanding candles sold in packaging carry the warning on the candle and on the package
- Net weight: FTC rules require both units, such as “Net Wt 15 oz (425 g)”
- California: Prop 65 short-form warnings must name a chemical on products made from January 1, 2028
Requirements in this guide are taken from ASTM F2058, FTC regulations (16 CFR Parts 500 and 501), CPSC guidance and the other sources listed in the Sources section. This is general guidance, not legal advice.
In this guide
- Why candle warning labels matter
- What to put on a candle label
- ASTM F2058 warning label requirements
- Candle warning label template
- Where the warning goes: jar, bottom, box
- FTC label requirements: identity, net weight, address
- California Prop 65
- Retailer and CPSC requirements
- Heat-resistant label materials
- Common labeling mistakes
- Candle label checklist
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
Why Candle Warning Labels Matter
Candles are an open flame in the home. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), US fire departments responded to an estimated 7,400 home structure fires started by candles each year from 2015 to 2019, causing an average of 90 deaths, 670 injuries and $291 million in direct property damage each year. In three of every five (60%) of those fires, something that could burn was too close to the candle.
That is exactly what the standard candle safety label addresses: keep the flame in sight, keep it away from things that catch fire, and keep it away from children. A correct label also protects your business, because many retailers will not list a candle without one.
What to Put on a Candle Label
A candle usually carries two kinds of information: the main product label and the fire safety warning. They can share one label or sit on separate labels.
| Label Item | Status | Rule or Example |
|---|---|---|
| Fire safety warning | Industry standard (ASTM F2058); required by many retailers | Safety alert symbol, “WARNING”, then the three statements |
| Statement of identity | Required (FTC, 16 CFR 500.4) | What the product is, such as “Scented Candle” or “Wax Melts”, on the front panel |
| Net quantity | Required (FTC, 16 CFR 500.6 to 500.8) | Weight in ounces and grams, such as “Net Wt 6.2 oz (176 g)” |
| Name and place of business | Required (FTC, 16 CFR 500.5) | Company name, city, state and ZIP; “Distributed by” if you did not make it |
| Prop 65 warning | Required when it applies (California) | Only if the product exposes users to a listed chemical above safe harbor levels |
| Country of origin | Required by many retailers and for imported goods | “Made in USA” claims must be accurate |
| Scent, wax type, burn time, burn tips | Optional | Helpful extras that must not interrupt the warning |
Print both labels together on printed candle labels, and see the label design guide for layout basics.
ASTM F2058 Candle Warning Label Requirements
ASTM F2058, Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling, covers the fire safety information placed on candle units of sale. CPSC lists it as a voluntary industry standard, but it is the warning retailers and buyers expect. These are the key candle warning label requirements, taken from the standard’s text.
| Requirement | What ASTM F2058 Says |
|---|---|
| Format options | Every unit must use either the text-only format or the text-and-pictogram format |
| Text-only warning | Safety alert symbol, then the signal word “WARNING” in uppercase bold, then: “Burn within sight.” “Keep away from things that catch fire.” “Keep away from children.” |
| Pictogram option | Safety alert symbol followed by the three pictograms in the same order; the three statements still appear next to or near the pictograms |
| Safety alert symbol | An exclamation point inside an equilateral triangle, point up |
| Font and contrast | Legible sans-serif font (such as Helvetica or Century Gothic) in distinct contrast with the background |
| Minimum letter height | “WARNING” and the symbol: 1.5 mm on warning panels up to 60 cm², 1.8 mm on larger panels. Statements: 1.3 mm and 1.5 mm |
| Pictogram size | At least 8 mm in diameter, larger on bigger panels |
| Small panels and tapers | Panels of 21 cm² (3.3 sq in) or less, and individually labeled tapers, may use a short warning: the safety alert symbol and “Burn within sight.” |
| Visibility | Visible to the consumer at the point of sale, and not covered, obstructed or removed by the manufacturer, distributor or retailer |
| Extra statements | Allowed before or after the warning, or elsewhere on the unit, but they must not interrupt it |
Use the wording exactly as published. Common versions online add “and pets” or change “things that catch fire” to “flammables”; those are not the standard’s words. You can add your own extra statements, such as a pets reminder, as long as they sit outside the three-line warning.
Candle Warning Label Template
This candle warning label template follows the ASTM F2058 text-only format. Copy the wording exactly, then add optional burn tips separately.
⚠ WARNING
Burn within sight.
Keep away from things that catch fire.
Keep away from children.
Optional burn tips (place after the warning, never inside it):
- Trim wick to 1/4 inch before each use.
- Burn on a heat-resistant surface.
- Follow the burn time on this label.
The triangle in the template stands in for the ASTM safety alert symbol: a black exclamation point in an equilateral triangle. For small labels, check the space with the label size recommender and keep text inside the bleed and safe zones.
Where the Warning Goes: Jar Side, Bottom or Box
| How the Candle Is Sold | Where the Warning Goes (ASTM F2058) |
|---|---|
| Candle with no packaging | On the top, bottom or a side of the candle, or on an attached tag |
| Jar (filled) or freestanding candle in a box, sleeve or bag | On the candle and on the packaging (tealights excepted) |
| Warning on the bottom of the package | Allowed only if the top or a side says “See bottom panel for safety information” in letters at least 1.5 mm tall |
| Clear packaging only | If the warning on the candle shows through, a second warning on the package is not needed |
| Taper candles labeled one by one | The short warning (symbol and “Burn within sight.”) is allowed |
- Jar bottom labels: the bottom of the candle is an allowed position and a popular one, because it keeps the front clean. Keep it uncovered by base pads or price stickers so it stays visible at the point of sale. round label printing suits jar bottoms and lids.
- Jar side labels: combine the main label and warning in one wrap-around or front-and-back label, using custom jar labels sized to the glass.
- Boxed candles: print the warning on the top or a side panel of candle jar boxes as well as on the jar.
- Sleeves: never let a belly band or sleeve hide the warning.
See more structural options in these candle packaging ideas.
Candle Label Requirements From the FTC
Candles are consumer commodities under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, which the FTC enforces through 16 CFR Part 500. These candle label requirements apply to the principal display panel (PDP), the part of the label shoppers see first.
Statement of Identity
The PDP must state what the product is, as a main feature of the panel, in lines generally parallel to the base. “Scented Candle”, “Soy Candle” or “Wax Melts” all work. For melts sold in clamshells, a printed sleeve or wax melt packaging gives the identity and warning a clear panel.
Net Quantity
- Weight for solids: net quantity is stated by weight for solid products, so a jar candle shows the wax weight, not the jar size.
- Both units: weight must appear in ounces and in metric units, as in the rule’s own example, “Net Wt 15 oz (425 g)”.
- Placement: in the bottom 30% of the PDP, parallel to the base. This placement rule does not apply when the PDP is 5 square inches or less.
- Tapers and decorative candles: hand-dipped or molded tapers and irregular decorative candles may state count and length or height in inches instead of diameter (16 CFR 501.7). Pair boxes such as taper candle boxes have room for both.
| PDP Area | Minimum Net Quantity Letter Height |
|---|---|
| 5 sq in or less | 1/16 in (1.5 mm) |
| Over 5 to 25 sq in | 1/8 in (3.1 mm) |
| Over 25 to 100 sq in | 3/16 in (4.7 mm) |
| Over 100 to 400 sq in | 1/4 in (6.35 mm) |
Heights apply to capital letters, or to the lowercase “o” when lowercase letters are used.
Name and Place of Business
Show the company name, street address, city, state and ZIP. The street address can be left off if it is listed in a public directory or on your website. If someone else made the candle, add “Manufactured for” or “Distributed by”.
A box gives you more room for these details than a jar label; see the 8 oz candle box as an example of a standard candle carton.
California Prop 65 and Candles
Proposition 65 requires a warning when a product exposes California consumers to a listed chemical above safe harbor levels. Paraffin wax can contain benzene, and lead, toluene and phthalates may also be present in some candles, so brands selling in California should check their materials with suppliers or test labs.
- Short-form warning change: since January 1, 2025, short-form warnings may name at least one listed chemical for each type of harm, and products made from January 1, 2028 must use the new wording.
- Example wording: one option for a carcinogen is “Cancer risk from exposure to [chemical name],” with a link to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Keep it separate: the Prop 65 warning is in addition to the fire safety warning, not a replacement.
Retailer and CPSC Requirements
Retail buyers often set stricter rules than the law. Kohl’s candle protocol, for example, requires:
- A label on the candle, or the candle and its container or package, meeting ASTM F2058.
- Net quantity in metric and US units, with filled candles and tealights stated as wax weight only.
- Country of origin marked legibly, permanently and visible at the point of purchase.
- No metal core in the wick, and flame height of no more than 3 inches under ASTM F2417 testing.
The one mandatory federal candle rule from CPSC covers wicks: metal-cored candlewicks, and candles that use them, must not contain more than 0.06% lead by weight in the metal core (16 CFR 1500.17(a)(13)).
Heat-Resistant Candle Label Materials
A candle label has to survive fragrance oil, handling and the warmth of a burning candle, and the warning must stay attached and readable.
| Material | Strengths | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| White or clear BOPP film | Water- and oil-resistant; clear film shows the wax color | Clear labels need dark text for contrast |
| Vinyl or polyester film | Water, oil and heat resistance; stays put in humid conditions | Higher cost than paper |
| Paper or kraft paper | Natural, handmade look; low cost | Not ideal where oil or moisture can reach the label |
- Use a permanent adhesive so the warning cannot peel off; ASTM F2058 does not allow the warning to be removed.
- Ask for the adhesive’s heat rating and test labels on a burning candle, especially near the rim of narrow jars.
- Apply labels to clean, cool, set candles so the adhesive bonds to the glass.
- Check contrast: the warning must stand out from its background, so avoid low-contrast text on kraft or clear film.
Compare finishes in this guide to sticker material options, and order labels on rolls for faster hand or machine application.
Common Candle Labeling Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Rewording the warning (“flammables”, “children and pets”) | Use the three ASTM statements exactly; add extras outside the warning |
| Warning on the jar only, hidden inside a box | Add the warning to the top or a side of the box |
| Net weight in ounces only | Show both units, such as “Net Wt 6.2 oz (176 g)” |
| Labeling the jar size instead of the wax weight | State the actual wax weight |
| Decorative script font for the warning | Use a legible sans-serif font in strong contrast |
| Paper label that peels or stains with oil | Use oil-resistant film and a permanent adhesive |
| Sleeve or price sticker covering the warning | Keep the warning visible at the point of sale |
Candle Label Checklist
- Safety alert symbol and “WARNING” in bold capitals.
- “Burn within sight.” “Keep away from things that catch fire.” “Keep away from children.” in that order.
- Sans-serif font, strong contrast and minimum letter heights met.
- Warning on the candle, and on the box for boxed jar and freestanding candles.
- Warning visible at the point of sale and not covered.
- Statement of identity on the front panel.
- Net weight in ounces and grams, wax weight only, in the bottom 30% of the front panel.
- Company name, city, state and ZIP.
- Prop 65 check for California sales.
- Oil-resistant label stock and permanent adhesive tested on a burning candle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a candle warning label say?
Under ASTM F2058: the safety alert symbol, “WARNING”, then “Burn within sight.”, “Keep away from things that catch fire.” and “Keep away from children.”
Are candle warning labels required by law?
CPSC lists ASTM F2058 as a voluntary standard, but many retailers require it, and FTC labeling rules for identity, net quantity and business name are mandatory.
What are the candle label requirements in the US?
The product identity, net quantity in ounces and grams, and the name and place of business under FTC rules, plus the ASTM F2058 fire safety warning.
Where should the warning label go on a candle?
On the top, bottom or a side of the candle, or on a tag. Boxed jar and freestanding candles also need it on the top or a side of the box.
Can the warning label go on the bottom of the jar?
Yes. ASTM F2058 allows the bottom of the candle, but the warning must stay visible at the point of sale and not be covered.
Does a candle box need a warning label?
Yes, for jar and freestanding candles sold in packaging, unless the packaging is clear and the warning on the candle shows through.
Is a candle safety label the same as a warning label?
Yes. Both terms usually mean the ASTM F2058 fire safety warning.
Can I add “keep away from pets” to my candle label?
Yes, as an extra statement, but place it outside the three-line ASTM warning so it does not interrupt it.
How big does the warning text need to be?
“WARNING” and the symbol at least 1.5 mm tall on panels up to 60 cm², and the statements at least 1.3 mm; both are larger on bigger panels.
Do I need pictograms on a candle label?
No. Pictograms are optional. If you use them, the three written statements must still appear next to or near them.
What is the short candle warning for small labels?
Warning panels of 21 cm² (3.3 sq in) or less, and individually labeled tapers, may use the safety alert symbol and “Burn within sight.”
How do I state net weight on a candle?
State the wax weight in ounces and grams, such as “Net Wt 6.2 oz (176 g)”, in the bottom 30% of the front panel.
How do taper candles show net quantity?
Tapers may state the count and the length in inches instead of weight or diameter, under 16 CFR 501.7.
Do candles need a Prop 65 warning?
Only if they expose California consumers to a listed chemical above safe harbor levels. Check your wax, fragrance and wick materials with suppliers.
What label material is best for candles?
Oil-resistant film such as BOPP or vinyl with a permanent adhesive. Test it on a burning candle before a full run.
Is there a candle warning label template?
Yes. Use the text-only template in this guide, which follows the ASTM F2058 wording exactly.
Final Takeaway
A compliant candle warning label uses the ASTM F2058 symbol, “WARNING” and three exact statements, in a clear sans-serif font, visible at the point of sale, on the candle and on the box. The rest of the label covers FTC basics: identity, net wax weight in ounces and grams, and your business name and address. Check Prop 65 and retailer rules, and print on oil-resistant labels that stay put.
BoxNovo prints candle labels and boxes with the warning panel built in. Browse the full candle box range, see printed candle packaging, or get a label quote.
Sources
- ASTM F2058-07(2021): Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling (preview)
- ASTM International: F2058 standard page
- CPSC: Candles business guidance
- 16 CFR Part 500: Regulations under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (Cornell LII)
- 16 CFR 500.6: Net quantity location
- 16 CFR 500.8: Units of weight or mass and measure
- 16 CFR 500.21: Type size
- 16 CFR 500.5: Name and place of business
- 16 CFR 501.7: Candles
- ComplianceGate: Candle Regulations in the United States
- Sidley: Changes to California’s Prop 65 short-form warnings
- Seattle Fire Department: NFPA home candle fire statistics
- Kohl’s: Candle testing and labeling protocol
- Lightning Labels: Candle label materials
