ASTM F2058 Explained for Candle Makers
Short answer
ASTM F2058 is the voluntary US standard for candle fire safety labels. It asks for a safety alert symbol followed by either the word WARNING with short statements, or pictograms, placed on the unit of sale where a buyer can see it. It does not cover other label rules. Read the standard itself for exact wording.
ASTM F2058 is the standard for the fire safety warning on a candle. The current edition on ASTM's store is F2058-07(2021), titled "Standard Specification for Candle Fire Safety Labeling." It says what the warning has to look like and where it goes. It is a voluntary standard, which means a law does not make you follow it, but shops, marketplaces and insurers may ask for it. I am a candle maker, not a lawyer. The paid standard is the only complete source, and I could not open it, so use this guide to understand it and the standard to write your label.
What is it, and who wrote it?
ASTM International publishes consensus standards. The National Candle Association (NCA) says it has led the development of candle safety standards since 1997 with ASTM, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fire officials and safety experts, and candle makers, and that F2058 took effect in 2000. The NCA says it sets out the specifications for the warning label that cautions consumers to burn a candle within sight.
CPSC lists six voluntary candle standards on its candle business page. F2058, labeling, is one of them. The others cover terminology (F1972), glass containers (F2179), visible emissions (F2326), candle fire safety (F2417) and accessories (F2601).
Is it a law?
No, F2058 itself is voluntary. CPSC calls these "industry consensus standards (also known as voluntary standards)." That is different from the lead wick rule, which is a regulation. CandleScience also says safety labeling is not legally required but strongly suggested. CPSC does say candles that contain a hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act must carry cautionary labeling. If you are not sure whether that applies to your product, ask a product safety professional.
What does the standard cover?
ASTM's store page says F2058 "covers requirements for fire safety information to be placed on candle units of sale." It also sets requirements for retailers and distributors, and it does not address other labeling requirements. That last point matters: F2058 will not tell you how to state net weight or where to put your business name.
What formats does it allow?
Two, and each starts with the safety alert symbol (ASTM's page does not describe how it looks; it is the warning triangle you see on many product labels, so check the standard for the exact symbol):
- Text only. The symbol, then the signal word "WARNING" in uppercase boldface letters, then the statements.
- Text and pictograms. The symbol, followed immediately by pictograms.
The warning goes on the unit of sale and has to be visible at the point of sale. The standard also says it cannot be covered, obstructed or removed by the manufacturer, distributor or retailer.
What does the warning tell people?
The NCA says a cautionary label or tag should list three key rules:
- Burn within sight. Keep an eye on every burning candle and put it out before you leave the room.
- Keep away from things that catch fire. Furniture, bedding, paper and similar items.
- Keep away from children (the NCA adds pets).
CandleScience says the first rule has to be written out, while the other two can be shown as a pictogram. I could not confirm that from the standard. The exact words and pictogram art are in the paid document. Do not copy a competitor's label from a photo.
Worked example: where does the warning go?
This is how I think about "unit of sale," not a legal reading. Check each case against the standard.
| How you sell it | What the buyer picks up | Where I would put the warning |
|---|---|---|
| One jar candle, no box | The jar | On the jar itself, or a label attached to it |
| One jar candle in a box | The box | On the jar, so it is still there after the box is gone, and visible on the box at the shelf |
| Gift set of three candles | The set | On every candle, plus the outer packaging if that is what shoppers see |
If the answer is not clear for your product, ask the standard, your insurer, or the shop you sell through. Never cover the warning with a second sticker, a ribbon or the lid.
Common mistakes
- Putting the warning only on the shipping box.
- Covering it with a ribbon, wrap, or price sticker.
- Writing your own wording from memory.
- Assuming F2058 covers the whole label. It covers fire safety information only.
- Never updating the label after a change in jar or product shape.
Questions
Is F2058 the same as F2417?
No. F2058 is the label standard. F2417 is a separate standard on fire safety for candles themselves. One of the NCA's pages describes F2417 as setting maximum flame height, tip-over limits, secondary ignition and end-of-life limits. Our F2417 guide covers it.
Do I need to buy the standard?
To copy exact wording and pictograms, you need the real text. ASTM's store page is where you buy it. It listed $72.00 when I checked on November 3, 2026, and prices change by edition and format, so check the page.
Does a care card count?
I did not find a source that says it does. The standard speaks about the unit of sale. Use a care card for extra tips, not as a replacement.
How BatchLab helps
The maker behind Ark & Dove built BatchLab for his own candle business. Starter and Maker both include warning and product labels. BatchLab does not decide what your warning must say and does not confirm your label meets F2058, so check the wording against the standard before you print.
Sources
Reviewed , including a safety check against the sources above.