Label Guidelines — ASTM F2058 & NCA Standards

Mandatory Warning Statements

Per ASTM F2058 and NCA guidelines, every candle sold must include all of the following warning statements:

• "Never leave a burning candle unattended."
• "Keep away from children and pets."
• "Keep away from flammable materials."
• "Burn within sight."
• "Keep candle free of foreign materials including matches and wick trimmings."
• "Trim wick to ¼ inch before lighting."
• "Do not burn for more than [X] hours at a time." (typically 4 hours)
• "Stop use when [X] inch of wax remains." (typically ½ inch)

Label Placement & Legibility

• All warning text must be clearly legible — minimum recommended font size: 6pt.
• Warnings must be in English at minimum; bilingual labeling is recommended for broader markets.
• Labels must be permanently affixed and not easily removed during normal use.
• Warnings must be visible at the point of sale without opening packaging.
• Place warnings on the bottom of the container or in a clearly separated section of a side label.

Recommended Product Information

While not all fields are required under ASTM, best practice and many retailer requirements include:

• Net weight in oz and/or grams.
• Burn time in hours (a range is acceptable, e.g., "45–55 hrs").
• Fragrance name or scent description.
• Country of origin (required for retail sale).
• Manufacturer name and contact information.
• Batch or lot number (required for effective product recalls).

California Proposition 65

If selling in California, Prop 65 may require an additional warning if the candle contains chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or reproductive harm — including benzene (produced by burning paraffin), lead, and formaldehyde.

Consult legal counsel if selling in California. Many manufacturers add the Prop 65 warning as a precaution.