New European standards for outdoor candles

In December 2021, two new European standards for outdoor candles were published to help ensure a reasonable degree of safety during their use: “EN 17616:2021 Outdoor candles – Specification for fire safety” and “EN 17617:2021 Outdoor candles – Product safety labels.”

These documents specify requirements, testing methods, and labeling requirements for the fire safety of candles intended to be burned outdoors. The European standards will be given the status of a national standard, either by the publication of an identical text or by endorsement, by latest June 2022, and conflicting national standards will be withdrawn by latest June 2022.

The major new requirements for outdoor candles include:

Container candles

• The candle shall not tip over when tested on a slope of 10°
• The wind resistance shall have a value > 1
• The temperature at the surface below the container shall not exceed 350°C
• No secondary ignition shall occur for more than 10 seconds
• The container shall not ignite or break during testing
• The container shall not burn for longer than 15 seconds on average and 30 seconds in any individual test during the testing
• The container shall not be completely burned away during testing
• The candle shall not spontaneously relight after extinguishing 

Freestanding candles

• The candle shall not tip over when tested on a slope of 10°
• No secondary ignition shall occur for more than 10 seconds
• The candle shall not spontaneously relight after extinguishing

Garden torches

• Shall be designed to be set up and stay in a stable manner
• No secondary ignition shall occur for more than 10 seconds
• No burning or smoldering material shall fall off during testing
• Candles placed on a stick shall also meet the requirements relevant for the respective candle type, except stability

Floating candles

• No secondary ignition shall occur for more than 10 seconds
• The candle shall not spontaneously relight after extinguishing

Mandatory supplementary safety information (symbols or text)

• For outdoor use only.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Keep a distance of min. x m beside and y m above to things that can catch fire.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• Use a heat-resistant base. (Not mandatory if the container itself has a heat-resistant base)
• Candle gets lighter during burning, protect from strong wind by using a suitable holder.” (For container candles that didn’t comply with the wind resistance requirement as specified in EN 17616)
• Only use at cemeteries outdoors. (For grave lights only)
• Use in a suitable bowl filled with water. (For Floating candles only)
  

Layout of the product safety label:

At API, we can support our customers to comply with these or other requirements for candles to further secure the safety and quality of your products.