Don't Get Burned! Know the Legal Requirements for Selling Homemade Candles
Selling homemade candles means navigating CPSC safety rules, FTC labeling requirements, and state business permits. We break down exactly what you need to know so you can sell with confidence.
Last updated: April 2026
Are you thinking about selling your homemade candles and not sure where to start with understanding the legal requirements?
This guide covers the most important things you need to know to keep your candle business compliant — labeling requirements, registration requirements, restrictions on ingredients, and the safety standards that apply specifically to candles. We’ve updated this for 2026 to make sure the regulatory references are current.
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In this article we will cover:
- General legal requirements (for your US business)
- CPSC / ASTM rules for candlemakers
- FDA requirements for candles
- FTC rules for candle labelling
- What happens if you don’t comply with the requirements?
- Using software to track your candle batches
General legal requirements (for your US business)
These laws are not unique to candlemaking, but they’re the baseline you need to cover before worrying about industry-specific regulations.
Even though there are no licenses specifically for candle businesses, you will likely need to obtain a general business license from your city or county. The requirements vary depending on where you live, so check with your local government office before you start selling.
To sell your candle products, a state sales tax permit (business tax number or tax ID number) may also be required. If you’re unsure which NAICS code applies to your candle business for registration purposes, our guide to NAICS codes for candle making covers the right codes for handmade candle makers.
Depending on your city or county regulations, you may need a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) before you can start selling candles from your home. A C of O is a document that states your business complies with all the zoning regulations in your area.
To get a C of O, you’ll need to submit an application to your local building department and pass a few inspections. The inspections will make sure your business meets the minimum requirements for health and safety, such as having enough exits in case of a fire.
Now that we have your basic requirements as a business covered, let’s look at the regulations and legal requirements specific to candlemakers.
The primary authorities in the US that have some degree of jurisdiction over candlemaking are the CPSC, ASTM, FTC, NCA, and the FDA. We’ll look at the rules, requirements, and recommendations for each now.
CPSC / ASTM rules for candlemakers
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversees candle safety in two ways: voluntary ASTM standards it helped develop, and at least one mandatory regulation.
ASTM voluntary standards
The CPSC has worked with ASTM International Subcommittee F15.45 for Candles and Candle Products to develop a series of requirements to minimize the potential for fires. The current ASTM standards for candles cover labeling, containers, burn testing, and fire safety:
- ASTM F1972 — Standard Guide for Terminology Relating to Candles and Associated Accessory Items
- ASTM F2058 — Standard Specification for Cautionary Labeling for Candles Burned in a Home
- ASTM F2179 — Standard Specification for Annealed Soda-Lime-Silicate Glass Containers Used as Candle Containers
- ASTM F2326 — Standard Test Method for Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles as They Burn
- ASTM F2417 — Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles
- ASTM F2601 — Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candle Accessories
These standards are voluntary — they’re not law. But meeting them demonstrates reasonable care and provides meaningful protection from liability if a product causes harm. Most serious candle sellers treat ASTM standards as a practical requirement, even if not a legal one.
Read more about what makes a container safe for candle making in our guide on candle safe containers — ASTM F2179 covers the specific glass heat-resistance requirements.
The mandatory CPSC rule on lead wicks
This one is not voluntary. Under 16 CFR § 1500.17(a)(13), the CPSC bans candles with lead-cored wicks. Metal-cored candlewicks must not contain lead in excess of 0.06% by weight. This rule has been in effect since 2003 and applies to all candles manufactured or imported into the US.
If you use metal-cored wicks (cotton-cored wicks do not require this), you are also required to issue a General Certificate of Compliance (GCC) stating conformance to 16 CFR 1500.17(a)(13). The citation must appear in your GCC documentation.
In practice, most handmade candle makers use cotton wicks and are not affected by the GCC requirement — but it’s worth knowing the rule exists, especially if you’re sourcing wicks from overseas suppliers.
FDA requirements for candles
The FDA also has a few requirements for candles, specifically around ingredients.
The FDA regulates cosmetics and certain consumer products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This act requires that all ingredients used in a consumer product be safe for use under labeled or customary conditions, and that they be properly labeled.
The FDA has not specifically approved a list of ingredients for candles. Your responsibility as a maker is to verify the safety of every ingredient you use and disclose them accurately on your label. Common ingredients to research carefully include synthetic fragrance oils (some contain phthalates) and certain dye pigments.
Note on lead: The prohibition on lead in candles comes primarily from the CPSC (16 CFR § 1500.17), not the FDA. If you’ve seen this attributed to the FDA elsewhere, that’s a common misattribution. Both agencies have an interest in product safety, but the enforceable lead wick rule sits with the CPSC.
FTC rules for candle labelling
In the United States, candles must be labeled with specific information under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Mandatory label information (FPLA)
The name and address of the manufacturer If you are making your candles from home, this would be your name and address.
A list of all ingredients used in the candle This should include all colors and fragrances. Creating a Bill of Materials (BoM) for each of your candles is an excellent way to make sure you have this information on hand whenever you make a batch.
The net weight of the candle The net weight is the total weight of the wax and fragrance oil, minus the weight of the container. Weigh your empty container, then weigh the finished candle — the difference is your net weight.
Related: Free Candle Load Fragrance Calculator — or read our full guide on how to calculate fragrance load when making candles for the formula, wax-specific percentages, and flash point safety.
The name of the country This is the country where the final finished candle is made, not where the raw materials originate from.
ASTM F2058 — fire warning label requirements
ASTM F2058 sets out specific requirements for fire safety labeling on candles. While voluntary, these are widely treated as the industry standard. Your warning label must include:
- A safety alert symbol — the familiar triangle with an exclamation mark
- The signal word “WARNING” — in bold uppercase, immediately following the symbol
- Three required safety statements:
- “Burn within sight.” — this must appear in text (pictogram alone is not sufficient)
- “Keep away from things that catch fire.” — text or approved pictogram
- “Keep away from children.” — text or approved pictogram
The National Candle Association (NCA) provides downloadable vector pictogram images for the second and third statements, which you can add to your labels in place of text.
Recommended burning directions (FHSA guidance) Beyond the three mandatory statements, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act recommends including burning directions on your label. Common additions:
- Trim wick to ¼ inch before each burn
- Maximum burn time per session (typically 4 hours)
- Stop use when ½ inch of wax remains
These aren’t required by law, but they set consumer expectations and reduce the chance of a fire incident — which protects both your customers and your business.
What happens if you don’t comply with the requirements?
If you sell a candle that causes harm and it can be shown you didn’t follow safety standards, you’re exposed to product liability claims. The voluntary nature of ASTM standards doesn’t protect you here — courts often look to industry standards as evidence of what “reasonable care” looks like.
The CPSC’s mandatory ban on lead wicks (16 CFR § 1500.17) is enforceable, and candles violating it can be recalled. The CPSC can also require you to pay for recall costs and issue public notices.
On the business registration side, selling without the required licenses or tax permits can result in fines, back-taxes, and — in some states — being required to stop selling until you’re compliant.
Most of these requirements come down to doing right by your customers. Accurate labeling, safe materials, and proper fire safety warnings aren’t just legal checkboxes — they’re the foundation of a business people trust. Get them right from the start and you won’t have to worry about them later.
Using software to track your candle batches
Understanding your legal obligations as a candlemaker is only one part of running a successful business. As your candle business grows, keeping track of all your batches manually gets unwieldy fast.
Batch tracking software helps you keep track of every batch of candles you make — from the ingredients used to the date it was made and shipped. This matters for quality control and for being able to trace any issues with specific batches. If a supplier issues a recall on a fragrance oil, you need to know exactly which batches used that oil and which customers received those candles.
Craftybase candle inventory software includes batch tracking built specifically for candlemaker businesses. With Craftybase, you can track your batches, ingredients, customers, and sales all in one place.
Craftybase integrates with Etsy and Shopify (plus many others) so you can automatically sync your sales data — meaning less time on admin and more time making candles.
Real-world example: Tiana from Winding Wick Candles left her corporate insurance career in 2015 to start her candle business. She now runs a successful physical storefront in Texas and uses Craftybase to track batches, manage fragrance inventory by bin location, and maintain the records required for her growing operation.
Once you have your compliance sorted, your next step is pricing your candles profitably — knowing your true cost per candle is just as important as knowing the rules around selling them.
If you’re thinking of starting to sell candles, or already selling them and want to get your records in order, start your free 14-day trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell homemade candles in the US?
There is no specific candle-making license, but you will likely need a general business license from your city or county, plus a state sales tax permit. If you're operating from home, check whether your local government requires a Certificate of Occupancy. Requirements vary by location, so it's worth checking with your local business office before you start selling.
What must be on a homemade candle label to comply with FTC requirements?
Under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, a candle label must include: the manufacturer's name and address, a full list of ingredients (including fragrance and colorants), the net weight of the candle, and the country of manufacture. ASTM F2058 also requires a safety alert symbol, "WARNING" in bold uppercase, and three fire safety statements — including "Burn within sight" in text (not pictogram alone).
Are there any ingredients I cannot legally use in homemade candles?
The CPSC bans lead in candle wicks under 16 CFR § 1500.17(a)(13) — metal-cored wicks must contain no more than 0.06% lead by weight. This is a mandatory regulation, not a guideline. Beyond this, the FDA requires that all ingredients be safe under normal use and properly labelled. There is no exhaustive approved ingredient list — your responsibility is to verify the safety of every ingredient you use and disclose them accurately on your label.
What ASTM standards apply to homemade candles?
The CPSC and ASTM International have developed voluntary standards covering candle labeling, container specifications, burn testing, and fire safety. Key standards include ASTM F2058 (cautionary labeling), ASTM F2179 (glass container heat resistance), and ASTM F2417 (fire safety for candles). These are voluntary, not legally mandated, but following them demonstrates reasonable care and reduces liability if a product causes harm.
How can Craftybase help me stay compliant as a candle maker?
Craftybase helps candle makers maintain the records most commonly needed for compliance: full ingredient lists per batch (useful for FTC labeling and FDA safety requirements), lot number tracking (so you can trace a specific batch of materials to specific finished candles), and COGS calculations for accurate tax reporting. If a supplier ever issues a recall, your batch records in Craftybase tell you exactly which products are affected.
