CLP Labelling For Candles & Wax Melts

What does CLP stand for?

CLP stands for Classification, Labelling and Packaging, the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This legislation requires you to appropriately classify, label appropriately, and package chemicals to communicate hazards.

Do I need CLP?

If you are creating products with fragrance or essential oils of any percentage, then yes, you require a CLP label to be affixed to your product. Avoid the most common CLP mistakes so often talked about in communities and Facebook groups.

When placing your wax melts and other home fragrance products onto the UK & EU marketplace, they must adhere to the CLP regulations.

These regulations are set out to ensure that anyone who may purchase your product can make an informed decision based on all of the information present at the time of purchase.

This means that if you are selling your products through a website, the CLP information MUST be available to the customer before their completed purchase. Think about your customers who may have known allergies but still enjoy home fragrance products. They need to be able to do so safely.

The labelling of your products includes product identifiers, hazard pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, precautionary statements, and supplier information. In contrast, the packaging must ensure the products are secure to prevent leakage and appropriate containment of chemicals.

It might sound very confusing, but trust me, it will become second nature once you’ve got your head around the basics. Here is an example of a CLP label:

What goes on a CLP label?

According to CLP article 17 (section 3.2), you must include the following information on your CLP labels:

• Signal word
• Product identifier
• Allergen information
• Hazard statements
• Precautionary statements
• Pictograms
• Your business name, address & contact telephone number

BUT, every fragrance oil is different, therefore your labels will look different. This is why it’s even more important to ensure you understand CLP labelling so you can be confident that you are trading legally.

While you might be inclined to leave off your contact details, do NOT do this. Your CLP label must include your business name, address and contact telephone number in case of an emergency.

What products need a CLP label?

You must include the relevant CLP label if you create home fragrance products using fragrance or essential oils. Products include:

• Candles
• Wax Melts
• Room Sprays
• Reed Diffusers
• Scented Sizzlers
• Snow Wax
• Carpet Fresheners
• Fragrance Oils

If any of the above products contain fragrance or essential oils of any percentage, they must have the correct CLP label affixed relating to the oil in each product.

There’s lots of CLP advice to ignore. The best thing to do is to understand the legislation yourself and be in a position to create your own CLP labels from the SDS provided by your fragrance oil manufacturer.

This is why we have created a short course within the HFA membership, where we teach you how to read and understand an SDS sheet and create your own CLP labels that conform to current UK legislation.