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conflicting national standards will be withdrawn by latest June 2022.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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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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 heatresistant 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.