Exporting Candles to the USA: CPSC Wick Rules, ASTM Standards and Labelling

The US has no single mandatory federal candle standard at the time of writing. The firm federal rule is the CPSC limit on lead in metal-cored wicks, and imported candles must also meet country of origin marking rules. In practice, US retailers and importers expect candles to follow the voluntary ASTM standards, including ASTM F2058 for fire safety labelling.

This guide covers what US brands, retailers and hospitality buyers usually ask for when sourcing private label candles from India. It reflects our understanding at the time of writing. It is not legal advice, so check the current text with your importer, customs broker or a compliance adviser.

The US framework at a glance

Area	Rule or standard	Status
Lead in wicks	16 CFR 1500.17(a)(13)	Mandatory federal rule
Fire safety labelling	ASTM F2058	Voluntary consensus standard
Fire safety performance	ASTM F2417	Voluntary consensus standard
Glass candle containers	ASTM F2179	Voluntary consensus standard
Candle accessories	ASTM F2601	Voluntary consensus standard
Country of origin marking	19 CFR Part 134	Mandatory customs rule

State laws, retailer requirements and general consumer product safety duties sit on top of this. California, for example, has its own warning rules for certain chemicals. Ask your importer which state requirements apply to your channels.

The CPSC rule on metal-cored wicks

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates lead in candle wicks. At the time of writing, its guidance says metal-cored wicks, and candles made with them, must not contain more than 0.06% lead by weight in the metal core. The rule applies to products made or imported on or after 15 October 2003.

Two practical points follow:

• Shipping container marking. Each outer container or wrapper used to ship candles with metal-cored wicks must be marked "Conforms to 16 CFR 1500.17(a)(13)". CPSC guidance says this does not need to appear on retail packaging.
• Certificate of compliance. Because a CPSC rule applies, the importer typically needs a General Certificate of Conformity for candles with metal-cored wicks, citing the rule.

Many candle programmes avoid the question by using cotton, paper-cored or wooden wicks. Wick choice also affects burn performance and sooting, so it is a decision we make with you during development. Our guide on wicks, fragrance load and IFRA explains the trade-offs.

ASTM standards that US buyers expect

ASTM F2058: fire safety labelling

F2058 sets out cautionary labelling for candles. It covers a standard set of safety messages, such as burn within sight, keep away from things that catch fire and keep away from children and pets, and how they are presented. Many US retailers require it as a condition of listing.

ASTM F2417: fire safety performance

F2417 covers how a candle behaves when it burns. It looks at issues such as flame height, secondary ignition, end-of-useful-life behaviour and stability. It is usually tested by an accredited laboratory on finished samples.

ASTM F2179: glass containers

F2179 covers annealed soda-lime-silicate glass containers used for candles. If your candle uses a glass vessel, buyers often ask for evidence that the vessel was selected with this standard in mind.

ASTM F2601: candle accessories

F2601 covers accessories such as holders and lids. It matters if your range includes a lid, snuffer or holder supplied with the candle.

These standards are voluntary, but they are widely used as a benchmark in product liability and retailer audits. Test plans are agreed per brief with your importer and an accredited laboratory. Check the current edition of each standard on the ASTM website before testing.

Country of origin marking

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires most imported goods to be marked with their country of origin in a way that the "ultimate purchaser" in the US can see. For candles made in India, that usually means "Made in India" in English, legible and sufficiently permanent.

CBP rulings on candles show the detail can vary:

• Where candles are imported in retail packaging, marking the retail box can be enough if the buyer will see it.
• Where candles are imported in bulk and repacked in the US, the bulk containers need marking and the repacker takes on duties.
• Marks that are removed before the product reaches the buyer can lead to penalties.

The right approach depends on your packaging and distribution model, so agree it with your customs broker early. It affects base labels, cartons and sleeves. If your candles ship inside gift sets or hotel amenity kits, check whether the outer set packaging, the individual candle, or both need marking, because the answer depends on what the ultimate purchaser receives.

Other label content US buyers usually request

• Brand name and the name and place of business of the US distributor.
• Fragrance name and product description.
• Net quantity, where your importer confirms it is required or expected.
• Burning instructions, such as trimming the wick and burn time per session.
• Batch or lot code for traceability and recall readiness.
• Barcode and retailer-specific information.

Any wording about the fragrance should stay descriptive. Avoid health or wellbeing claims, which can trigger other regulatory requirements and are outside what a home fragrance product should say.

Reed diffusers and room sprays

Reed diffusers and room sprays are liquid products that can fall under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act labelling rules, depending on their properties. Flammability, child access and ingestion risk are the usual questions. Labelling for these products is reviewed separately from candles. We can source bases and bottles from our diffuser oils and perfume bottle ranges and develop the format to your brief.

Checklist for US buyers

• Choose a wick type and confirm whether the lead rule and certificate requirements apply.
• Agree an ASTM F2417 and F2058 test and label plan with an accredited laboratory.
• Check glass vessels and accessories against F2179 and F2601 where relevant.
• Agree the country of origin marking approach with your customs broker.
• Confirm state-level requirements for your sales channels.
• Plan batch coding and recall information on every unit.

How Harrods Health supports US candle programmes

Harrods Health develops private label candles, reed diffusers and room sprays to your brief in Ambala, India. Our facility is US FDA registered and holds other certifications listed on our quality and certifications page. These are facility-level registrations and certifications. They do not certify candles, which follow the CPSC and ASTM route described above.

Start at our private label candle manufacturer page. For freight, see shipping candles for export and our fulfilment and export page. To compare markets, read our EU candle export guide. When your brief is ready, contact our team.

Official sources

• CPSC business guidance: candles
• 16 CFR 1500.17 (eCFR)
• 19 CFR Part 134, country of origin marking (eCFR)

Frequently asked questions

Is there a mandatory federal safety standard for candles in the US?

At the time of writing, there is no single mandatory federal candle standard. The main federal rule limits lead in metal-cored wicks. The ASTM candle standards are voluntary, but retailers and importers widely expect them.

What is the lead limit for candle wicks?

CPSC rules say metal-cored wicks must not contain more than 0.06% lead by weight in the metal core. Shipping containers for these candles must be marked to show they conform to 16 CFR 1500.17(a)(13). Check the current eCFR text with your importer.

Do candles from India need to be marked Made in India?

Under CBP country of origin rules, imported goods must generally be marked so the ultimate purchaser knows the origin. For candles sold in retail packaging, the packaging is often the marked item. Confirm the marking approach with your customs broker.

Which ASTM standards apply to candles?

CPSC lists ASTM F2058 for candle fire safety labelling, F2417 for candle fire safety, F2179 for glass candle containers and F2601 for candle accessories. Check the current editions on the ASTM website.

Can you design labels to ASTM F2058?

We can lay out artwork with space for the F2058 cautionary label and other required details to your brief. Final review of the label and test plan should be done with your US importer or a compliance adviser.