Warning Labels on Wax Melts and Candles
When I first set out making wax melts, one of the main things that was incredibly frustrating to get my head around was all the regulations around what warning labels were needed, where they needed to be put, and why.
Initially I just purchased the labels from a third party as that was the easiest way to ensure I was following the correct procedure, however over time I started to become curious as to exactly why the warning labels were needed. These warning labels are called CLP labels, and they are an important part of ensuring wax melts that are sold comply with UK and EU regulations.
What are CLP labels?
The term “CLP” is shorthand for the name of the legislation applicable to the selling of candles, wax melts, and anything that has a “chemical” element. The relevant regulations are the Classification, Labelling, and Packaging of Chemicals Regulations.
The CLP regulations in the UK are basically the same regulations as set out under European Union law and were incorporated in the law of the United Kingdom upon Brexit. The intention behind them is primarily to protect customers and ensure that proper safety procedures are followed when using the product.
For those of us buying our wax melts in the UK this means that the packaging should typically include a warning about certain hazards.
By contrast the USA has much fewer regulations, which is why their wax melts won’t come with warnings, despite often containing more hazardous chemicals.
What do the CLP labels mean for me?
If you are a maker of wax melts looking to sell your product in the UK or EU, it is wise to use the CLPs provided by your fragrance oil supplier initially, as this should ensure that the correct information is included.
If you are buying a wax melt and it doesn’t have a CLP label you should be wary. There may be a perfectly legitimate reason as to why one hasn’t been included, but it always pays to double-check.
Do all wax melts need CLP labels?
Contrary to some articles you may read, the answer to this question is actually no. Some websites claim that wax melts always need a CLP, however this is not always the case.
The CLP Regulations actually only require CLP labels where the wax melt meets a certain criteria. Most wax melts will meet this criteria and therefore need to have a CLP label sticker attached to them.
However, some wax melts simply do not meet those criteria and in those instances they are not included in this list of things that the regulations require to have CLP labels.
Again, this is something that your fragrance oil supplier should be on top of, and if they are not then you may want to think about whether they are the right supplier for you.
Should I be concerned about CLP labels?
CLP labels are designed to protect you and others. They enable greater visibility as to what may happen if you flushed them down the sink for example (i.e. they may be hazardous to aquatic life if it finds its way out to the sea).
The labels also warn you not to use them on your skin, i.e. they may smell nice but they are wax melts, not soaps, and should be treated as such.
If used and followed correctly, CLPs are not a cause for concern but instead offer greater transparency and protection around what you are buying and how to use them.
At Wax and Scents all of our wax melts are labelled in accordance with UK and EU regulations, so you can ensure you are getting a compliant, high quality product.
Want to know more about wax melts, including if the make good gifts? Read our blog post here