Press releases » 102. Consumer Protection Board: 16.2 % of inspected candles were not supplied with required safety information

 

In order to ensure safe and competent use, candles have to be supplied with correct and accurate labelling. In November, the Consumer Protection Board inspected the labelling of candles on 74 occasions, discovering 12 cases of non-compliance, mostly the absence of required safety information (either textual or graphical).

Pursuant to law, the labelling of candles should include:

• description of the candle (e.g., outdoor candle, water candle; if the area of application is not unambiguous);
• safety instructions;
• details of the manufacturer/importer.

Safety instructions should be based on respective standards* and provided either in textual or graphical form. The wording of common safety instructions is as follows:

• “Never leave a burning candle unattended”;
• “Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets”;
• “Keep candles away from flammable items”;
• “Leave at least … cm of free space between candles if using several candles”.

 

Foreign-language warnings have to be translated into Estonian. If warnings cannot be placed on candles or packaging (e.g., in case of table candles sold in a container), they should be displayed next to the product.

In addition to safety instructions, information on the usage environment of candles has to be provided – e.g., outdoor candle, water candle, etc. If aroma candles are sold, this should be indicated on the labelling as well.

In addition, attention should be paid to candles in special shapes (apples, cakes, etc.), which could be regarded as dangerous products due to their misleading appearance. This latter category includes products, which are not edible but possess a size or volume, odour, colour, appearance, form, packaging or labelling, such that it is likely that consumers, in particular children, may confuse them with foodstuffs and in consequence place them in their mouths or suck or ingest them, which might be dangerous and cause physical harm (§ 8 (1) and (2) of the Product Conformity Act).

The Consumer Protection Board wishes everyone a peaceful Christmas and safe burning of candles!

* The following standards have been developed to ensure safety of candles:

1.          EVS-EN 15493:2007 Candles-Specification for fire safety

2.          EVS-EN 15426:2007 Specification for sooting behaviour

3.          EVS-EN 15494:2007 Candles-Product safety labels