CLP Labels: Essential for the Home Fragrance Industry

Is Your Supplier Compliant ?

CLP Labels: Why They’re Essential for Fragrance Product Safety

If you purchase candles, wax melts, hoover discs, diffusers and any other product that contains fragrance or essential oils they must have a CLP label. Many customers don't fully understand just how important these labels really are. Beyond being a legal requirement in the UK and EU, CLP labels help keep customers informed, safe, and confident in the products they’re bringing into their homes.

What Are CLP Labels?

CLP stands for Classification, Labelling and Packaging, part of a regulation that aligns chemical safety standards across the UK and EU. Candles and wax melts are considered “mixtures” because they contain fragrance oils—many of which include ingredients that must be disclosed for safety.

A CLP label tells consumers:

  • What ingredients may cause irritation or allergic reactions

  • How to use the product safely

  • What to do in case of an accident

  • Any environmental or health warnings

Think of it as the safety instruction manual for your candle in a compact, easy-to-read format.

Why CLP Labels Matter for Candle & Wax Melt Products

1. They’re a Legal Requirement

Selling candles or wax melts without proper CLP labeling can lead to fines, product recalls, or your business being shut down. Even small home businesses need compliant labels from the moment you start selling.

2. They Protect Your Customers

Fragrance oils often contain allergens or irritants—even natural ones. CLP labels warn customers about potential reactions, helping them make informed decisions about what they bring into their home.

3. They Build Trust and Professionalism

A well-designed, compliant CLP label shows that you take safety seriously. Customers are far more likely to trust a brand that clearly communicates ingredients and hazards than one that offers no transparency.

4. They Provide Clear Safety Instructions

Things like:

  • “Keep away from children and pets”

  • “May cause an allergic skin reaction”

  • “Avoid release to the environment”

…help users enjoy your product safely and responsibly.

5. They Protect Your Business

In the rare event of an incident, a correct CLP label helps demonstrate that you followed regulations and provided proper guidance. It's a small detail that can make a big difference in risk management.

What Information Must Appear on a CLP Label?

A compliant CLP label typically includes:

  • Product identifier (e.g., fragrance name)

  • Relevant hazard pictograms

  • Signal word (e.g., Warning)

  • Hazard statements (H-codes)

  • Precautionary statements (P-codes)

  • Allergens present above 0.1%

  • Supplier/business name and contact details

The exact information depends on your fragrance or essential oil and concentration, this information is supplied to the seller on a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which is then added to each individual product on either the main or a separate label.

Do All Candles Need a CLP Label?

Yes—every product containing fragrance oil or essential oil's needs one, even if the fragrance is considered “safe,” because allergens can still be present in tiny amounts.

The only time a CLP label isn’t required is if a wax melt contains no fragrance and no colorants, which is extremely rare.

CLP Labels: A Small Detail That Makes a Big Difference

CLP labels may seem like an extra step, but they’re an essential part of making and selling home fragrance products responsibly. They keep customers safe, protect the business, and ensure your products meet legal requirements.

 

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