The UK safety and labelling rules every candle business needs to follow, covering fire safety standards, CLP labelling, and the ban on food-mimicking designs.
Quick answer: UK candle businesses must meet fire safety standard BS EN 15493, labelling standard BS EN 15494, and CLP regulation if the candle is scented. Candles that look like food or sweets are banned under UK product safety law. You also need product liability insurance before selling.
Why candle safety rules catch new sellers out
Most beginner guides tell you to “check the regulations” without explaining what that actually means in practice. Candle making looks simple, but selling candles makes you legally responsible for consumer safety the moment you take payment for one, even as a small side hustle.
Getting this wrong risks product recalls, trading standards action, or a claim against you if a candle causes a fire or injury.
Fire safety: BS EN 15493
This is the core UK and European fire safety standard for candles. It sets requirements for how a candle burns, including flame height, burn stability, and how the candle behaves as it nears the end of its life, since poorly designed candles can flare up or the container can overheat once the wax runs low.
Testing against this standard, or sourcing wax, wicks, and containers from suppliers who already test to it, is the practical way most small sellers meet this requirement without commissioning their own lab testing.
Labelling: BS EN 15494
This standard sets out the safety warnings your candle packaging must carry. At minimum, UK sellers are expected to include instructions such as never leaving a burning candle unattended, keeping it away from children, pets, and flammable materials, trimming the wick before each burn, and placing it on a heat-resistant surface.
Your business name and address must also appear on the packaging, since UK consumer law requires customers to know who they are buying from.
CLP regulation for scented candles
If your candles are scented, the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation applies. Fragrance oils can contain allergens and substances that require specific hazard labelling depending on concentration.
Ask your fragrance supplier for a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every scent you use. This document tells you whether the fragrance triggers any CLP labelling requirements, and reputable UK suppliers provide this as standard.
The ban on food-mimicking candles
UK product safety law prohibits selling candles that could be mistaken for food, particularly by children. A candle shaped like a cupcake, ice cream scoop, or sweet needs packaging that clearly states it is not edible and, ideally, a design that does not closely mimic the real food item.
This rule catches out more new sellers than any other, since food-scented and food-shaped candles are consistently popular, but the shape and packaging need care to stay compliant.
Insurance you need before selling
Product liability insurance covers you if a candle you sold causes injury, fire damage, or financial loss to a customer. Most UK insurers offer this specifically for candle makers, and it is worth having in place before your first sale rather than after.
If you sell at markets or craft fairs, public liability insurance is often required by the event organiser, separate from your product liability cover.
Selling online: extra requirements
Selling through your own website adds a few more legal duties. You must display your business name, address, and email address clearly, and if you are VAT registered, your VAT number as well.
UK consumer law also requires a 14-day return period for items bought online, so build this into your returns policy from the start rather than working it out after a customer asks.
A practical compliance checklist
Source wax, wicks, and containers from suppliers who test to BS EN 15493, since this removes the need for your own fire safety testing.
Add the required warning wording and your business details to every label before your first sale, not after.
Request Safety Data Sheets for every fragrance you use and keep them on file.
Avoid shapes and scents that closely mimic food unless your packaging clearly and prominently states the product is not edible.
Get product liability insurance in place before you take your first order.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to sell candles in the UK?
No specific licence is required, but you must register your business with HMRC and comply with fire safety, labelling, and product safety regulations before selling.
Can I sell food-scented candles in the UK?
Yes, but the candle’s shape and packaging must not closely resemble real food, and any packaging must clearly state the product is not edible, particularly where children could mistake it for something to eat.
Do I need insurance to start a candle business?
Product liability insurance is strongly recommended before your first sale, since it covers claims if a candle causes injury or damage. Many UK insurers offer policies specifically for candle makers.
What information must appear on a candle label?
Safety warnings covering unattended burning, distance from children and flammable materials, wick trimming, your business name and address, and any CLP hazard labelling required for scented candles.