Are you interested in starting your own scented candle and wax melt business? A wonderful creative and entrepreneurial adventure awaits you, and you won't regret it. But before you get started, it's essential to be well-informed: several standards and regulations govern the manufacture and sale of artisanal candles and wax melts.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step by step to help you gain clarity. You'll find reliable and freely accessible resources in our detailed articles.
Why start your own handmade candle business?
Now that you know the obligations to respect, let's look at the advantages of being self-employed as well as the potential of the candle market... and the prospects are more than promising!
The advantages and disadvantages of being self-employed
- You exercise your activity freely and remain flexible
But keep in mind that you remain the business owner, which means you are the main point of contact for your company in case of problems.
- You remain deeply stimulated
You need to stay constantly alert to keep your business moving forward. And as Warren Buffett, one of the richest businessmen in the world, so aptly puts it, “The more you learn, the more you earn.”
- You can express your creativity however you want
Having your own candle brand means being able to create whatever you like indefinitely.
- Low start-up cost
Creating your own candle brand requires little financial investment at the start, depending on your choices (home workshop, direct sales, etc.).
- Additional income
Selling candles is a great way to earn extra income if you already have a job or even want to make it your main source of income.
The candle market is booming
- The candle, much more than a lighting tool
Once a simple lighting tool, the candle has gradually moved away from this function to reinvent itself as a true object of emotion. Today, it lights up our rooms, enhances our spaces, and perfumes our moments. Its role has evolved, as have our expectations.
Today, a candle no longer seduces us solely by its fragrance: it touches us by the universe it embodies, by its aesthetics. In this shift towards a more emotional, sensory and aesthetic consumption, candles, scented melts, room diffusers, artisanal soaps and others redefine the codes of the olfactory universe. We select them with care, as we would choose a skin perfume or a decorative object.
- Online sales: a phenomenal evolution
According to studies conducted by FEVAD (Federation of e-commerce and distance selling), in France in 2024, online sales will reach a new record with 175 billion euros, recording an increase of 9.6% in one year. Forecasts for 2026 are already very good, they estimate a turnover of 200 billion euros, due in particular to the diversification of new offers and new online channels.
Learn about the administrative procedures and regulations required to market your candles
The very first step, and not the least, in creating your brand is to realize the importance of the legal dimension. This part is essential to be able to sell your candles, melts and other scented creations. Let's be clear: without following the steps that we will detail below, it will be impossible for you to legally market your creations.
Administrative procedures
Not declaring your activity amounts to operating illegally. Without formalities, it will be considered undeclared work. To be compliant and get off to a smooth start, the first essential step is to complete the administrative procedures for declaring your activity.
That :
- Will formalize your professional status
- Will give you access to certain social rights
- Will allow you to contract with your customers
- Will allow you to subscribe to professional insurance
Regulations and standards
You must comply with several standards to be able to market your creations. Above all, keep in mind that these standards are intended to guarantee consumer safety, as the products used can be harmful to health and the environment depending on the dosage applied. The standards to be complied with are: SDS, AFNOR standard, UFI number, CLP regulation.
To summarize, any product marketed must be accompanied by an individual safety data sheet (available free of charge for all our perfumes when the dosage is 7% or 10%) and labeling that complies with CLP and/or AFNOR standards.
The risks you face if your business is not compliant
If you fail to comply with these rules, you may risk:
- A fine of up to €50,000.
- Up to 3 years in prison.
- A ban on practicing or the administrative closure of your activity.
- A risk of costly civil litigation if a customer suffers damage caused by a non-compliant candle.
What to remember
The legal aspect is a significant one, however you can easily train yourself and do everything properly by consulting the various guides available on our website. And if you are short on time or would like more personalized support, we offer training via videoconference or in person for creative workshops, live with professionals in the field.
Unfiltered testimonies from several candle creators
To reinforce your idea, discover the testimonies of several creators with different backgrounds, but driven by the same passion and the same supplier, Terre de Bougies. These are true sources of inspiration that we are proud to support for years.
We even had the pleasure of creating a fragrance with bespoke notes for "Scarly Shop." This is a personalized service that we offer upon request. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us via our contact form.
Conclusion
Creating your own candle brand is much more than just a creative project: it's an entrepreneurial adventure in its own right, requiring rigor, audacity and a good dose of passion.
By training yourself on standards, understanding your legal obligations and taking the time to analyze your market, you are laying the solid foundations for a sustainable business.
And the good news is: you're not alone. At Terre de Bougies, we provide tools, services, and training to support you every step of the way.
So, are you ready to get started? If you need more information about the regulations you need to comply with, our legislation guide will be able to help you.
