AFNOR candles standard: safety and labelling

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AFNOR safety labels

The safety of candles is not limited to their manufacture: it also depends on clear, legible labelling that complies with current regulations (CLP, UFI, etc.). In this article, we focus on the AFNOR standard, which is an essential safety reference for both small-scale and commercial candles. If you would like to find out more about these aspects, we offer a range of training courses, services and advice to support you. With specific regard to the AFNOR standard, our dedicated legislative assistance service is best placed to guide you step by step.

In Europe, the AFNOR standards relating to candles are voluntary, but their application is strongly recommended, as they help to reduce the risk of fire and ensure safer use of candles by consumers.

To complement this voluntary standard with legal obligations, it is also important to be aware of the regulations linked to the UFI code. Unlike AFNOR standards, UFI is a regulatory requirement. We have devoted a detailed article to this subject to help you understand when UFI is required.

What is an AFNOR standard?

AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation) standards are official benchmarks created to ensure the quality, safety and conformity of products, services or organisations. Some standards are mandatory, others are not, but they are a guarantee of reliability and professionalism.

The AFNOR standard for candles covers fire safety requirements.

Since 2019, AFNOR labelling for scented candles has included 6 mandatory pictograms: a triangle with an exclamation mark, followed by 5 safety pictograms. For unscented candles, only 4 pictograms are required (including the triangle).

These pictograms are usually combined on a self-adhesive label placed under the candle or integrated directly into the CLP label. At Terre de Bougies, we offer a roll of 200 ready-to-use AFNOR labels, including the mandatory pictograms and several optional pictograms.

Is the AFNOR standard compulsory?

No. These symbols are not a strict legal obligation. They are a standard recommended by the European Union to improve fire safety. We strongly recommend its use to :

protect consumers from the risk of fire,
prevent mishandling,
protect you in the event of an incident.

Do I have to pay for the AFNOR standard?

No. You don't "pay" to use the standard, but applying it can generate indirect costs:

Printing labels: the pictograms must appear on a suitable label. Terre de Bougies offers ready-to-use labels to facilitate compliance. For customised labels, our partner Avery offers a wide range of formats.
Buying standards documents: official texts detailing standards are not free.

Here are a few examples of prices for purchasing standards documents relating to the fire safety of candles, available on the AFNOR website:

NF EN 15494 - Candles: Safety labels: €187.47 excluding VAT
NF EN 15493 - Specification relating to fire safety: 187.47 € excluding VAT
NF EN 15426 - Specification relating to soot emission: 234.21 € excluding VAT

To avoid these costs, our ready-to-use AFNOR labels are a simple, compliant and cost-effective solution.

Which pictograms should appear on my AFNOR label?

Ready-to-use labels sometimes include optional pictograms to improve safety. On the other hand, if you create your own labels, you can choose to display only the mandatory pictograms in order to optimise space and maintain a more minimalist design.

To help you quickly identify the essential pictograms, here's a clear summary:

Mandatory pictograms

If you choose to affix an AFNOR label to your creations, certain pictograms are considered mandatory to ensure safe use. Here are the ones you must display on your candles:

	Warning. The general warning pictogram must appear on the candle to immediately draw the user's attention to essential precautions.
	Never leave a candle unattended. Always extinguish the candle before leaving the room or going to bed.
	Do not allow the candle to burn on or near flammable objects. Place the candle on a stable, non-flammable, heat-resistant surface. Keep at least 30 cm away from any combustible object.
	Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Never place the candle where it could be knocked over.

Compulsory pictograms for your types of design

Some pictograms are compulsory under certain conditions.

	Avoid inhaling smoke directly. Mandatory if the candle is scented.
	Ventilate the room well after use. Mandatory if scented candle.
	Use an appropriate bowl filled with water. Mandatory for floating candles.
	Use a suitable candle-holder, as these candles liquefy as they burn. Mandatory for moulded or pillar candles.

Optional pictograms

A number of optional pictograms are also available. If you wish, you can add those that best correspond to your creations in order to offer more complete information adapted to your products.

	Always space your candles 10 cm apart. Candles too close together can cause drips.
	Don't place your candles in draughts. Avoid draughts to prevent soot and dripping.
	Cut the wick back 1 cm before each relighting. A wick that is too long can cause wax build-up, a flame that is too high or the formation of soot.
	Do not move a lit candle. Moving a lit candle can cause sooting and dripping, as can a draught.
	Do not place near a heat source. The higher the ambient temperature, the greater the risk. Tealights near a television, for example, can catch fire and melt plastic.
	Always smother the flame, do not blow it out. Use a snuffer. Never blow out a candle, especially in a container, to avoid the wax catching fire or being blown out.
	Never use liquid to extinguish a candle. If the candle is difficult to extinguish, cover it with a damp cloth. Never extinguish a candle with water, as this may cause wax to splatter.
	Always use a candleholder. Candleholders must be stable, heat-resistant, non-flammable and large enough to catch dripping wax.

Where should I stick my AFNOR labels?

Several display modes are possible: you can use pictograms only, text only or both. Note that if you choose text, it will have to be translated into the official language of the country where the candle will be sold. For this reason, it is often simpler to use pictograms only.

The AFNOR pictograms can be integrated on your CLP label if the available space allows, but this is not an obligation. You can also affix them under the candle, or on any other legible and accessible area.

Dimensions:

Single pictograms must measure at least 5 mm × 5 mm.
Double pictograms must be at least 5 mm high and 10 mm wide.

To simplify the process, you can find ready-to-use labels on our website that include the compulsory pictograms as well as some optional pictograms.

So why apply the AFNOR standard to your candles?

Although the AFNOR standard for safety labelling of candles is voluntary, its application is highly recommended. In the event of an incident, it can be used to prove that you have provided all the information needed to use the product correctly. It's quick, easy and affordable to apply, especially as we offer ready-to-use labels that can be stuck to the underside of your candles.

If you want to take further steps to ensure the safety of your creations, particularly if you produce candles that resemble food products, we have also written a comprehensive article on this topic to guide you in complying with the relevant regulatory requirements.

A small gesture for your workshop, but a big guarantee of safety, compliance and professionalism for your customers.