If you are making and selling candles, wax melts or room sprays in the UK, CLP compliance is not optional - it is the law. Yet it remains one of the most confusing parts of running a small candle business. This guide breaks it down clearly so you know exactly what you need and how to get it sorted.
What is CLP?
CLP stands for Classification, Labelling and Packaging. It is a UK regulation that requires any product containing hazardous chemical substances to be clearly labelled with safety information before it can be sold to the public. For candle makers, this means that if your candles or wax melts contain fragrance ingredients that meet certain hazard thresholds - which most essential oils do - your product must carry a CLP-compliant label.
Do I need a CLP label on my candles?
Almost certainly yes, if you are selling them. The vast majority of essential oils and fragrance oils contain compounds such as limonene, linalool or geraniol that are classified as skin sensitisers, eye irritants or environmental hazards at certain concentrations. A CLP assessment will tell you whether your specific blend at your specific usage rate triggers any hazard classifications, and if so, what label information is required.
What must a CLP label include?
- Product name and identifier
- Supplier name and address - your business details
- Hazard pictograms - the standardised GHS symbols
- Signal word - either Warning or Danger depending on severity
- Hazard statements (H-statements) - e.g. May cause an allergic skin reaction
- Precautionary statements (P-statements) - e.g. Keep out of reach of children
- Allergen declaration - any fragrance allergens present above 0.01% must be listed by name
- Net quantity
- UFI code - Unique Formula Identifier, required since 2021
What is an SDS sheet?
An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) is a detailed technical document describing the hazardous properties of your fragrance and how to handle it safely. It is required for B2B sales. All of our essential oil blends come with SDS sheets available to download from each product page.
What is IFRA and why does it matter?
IFRA stands for the International Fragrance Association. It sets maximum permitted usage levels for fragrance ingredients across different product categories including candles, leave-on skin products and rinse-off products. These limits are set based on safety testing to protect against skin sensitisation. When we provide an IFRA certificate for one of our blends, it tells you the maximum percentage at which that blend can be used in each product category. Always check your IFRA certificate before finalising your fragrance load.
How to get CLP compliant
There are three main routes:
- Use a supplier that provides CLP documentation - All of our essential oil blends come with pre-prepared CLP labels, SDS sheets and IFRA certificates for standard usage rates (typically 5%, 8% and 10% in candles). If your formulation matches one of these rates, you can download and use the documentation directly.
- Use a CLP software tool - Tools like Scentfusion allow you to input your formula and generate compliant labels automatically.
- Commission a bespoke CLP assessment - Our CLP service provides full CLP, SDS and IFRA documentation for our essential oil blends in your specific product formulation.
Common CLP mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong percentage - Your CLP must be calculated at the exact percentage of fragrance in your finished product.
- Missing the UFI code - The UFI is a legal requirement and must appear on your label.
- Forgetting allergen declaration - Any of the 26 listed fragrance allergens present above 0.01% must be named on the label.
- Label too small to read - CLP regulations specify minimum font sizes based on container size.
- Not updating when you change your formula - If you change your fragrance percentage or supplier, your CLP may need updating.
We can help
All our essential oil blends come with ready-made CLP documentation for standard candle rates. Our bespoke CLP service is available for custom formulations.
Browse our full range of CLP-compliant essential oil blends for candle making.