Global Candle Export Faces Upgraded Environmental and Safety Standards: How Can Enterprises Meet New Challenges?

——International Certification, Green Packaging, and Sustainable Production Become Industry Focus  

 

As global environmental awareness rises and trade barriers become more refined, the candle export industry is facing a new wave of standard upgrades. From safety certifications to packaging materials, and from combustion emissions to production sustainability, regulatory agencies and consumers worldwide are imposing increasingly stringent requirements on candle products. How to adapt to changes in international standards and seize the initiative in green trade has become a core issue for export enterprises.  

 

---

 

 **Tightening International Safety Standards: Updates to ASTM and CE Certifications**  

Recently, the international candle safety certification system has undergone significant adjustments. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) updated the **ASTM F2417** standard, strengthening testing requirements for candle burn time, flame height, and stability, while adding restrictions on heavy metal content in wicks. Meanwhile, the EU CE certification has further lowered the control thresholds for harmful substances such as **phthalates** and **lead (Pb)** in candle products, with some category limits reduced by 30% compared to previous levels.  

 

“The new standards are forcing enterprises to upgrade their raw material supply chains,” said Markus Schmidt, head of consumer product testing at TÜV Rheinland Group in Germany. “Especially for candle manufacturers using recycled materials, additional attention must be paid to the risk of impurity residues.”  

 

---

 

### **Eco-Friendly Packaging: From ‘Recyclable’ to ‘Zero Waste’**  

In the packaging sector, the EU’s **Green Deal** has taken the lead in requiring candle export enterprises to adopt **biodegradable materials** or packaging solutions made from **at least 70% recycled paper pulp**, while banning the use of non-eco-friendly plastics such as PVC. Similar regulations have been introduced in California, USA, and Canada, with violators facing hefty fines or even market bans.  

 

Some leading enterprises have already experimented with innovative solutions. For example, Swedish candle brand EcoLume has introduced **reusable glass jar packaging**, allowing consumers to return the containers to the factory for refilling after use. A Ningbo-based export enterprise in China has developed **plant fiber molds** to replace traditional foam cushioning materials, reducing costs by 15% while achieving 100% natural degradation.  

 

---

 

### **Combustion Emission Standards: Regulatory ‘Temperature Differences’ Across Europe, America, and Asia**  

Particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during candle combustion have become new regulatory focuses, but standards vary significantly across regions:  

- **European Union**: According to the EN 15426 standard, PM2.5 emissions per gram of candle burned must not exceed 0.1 mg, and benzene series concentration must be below 50μg/m³.  

- **United States**: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet set mandatory limits, but the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recommends controlling VOC emissions below 0.2g/h.  

- **Asia**: Emerging markets such as China and India have not yet established unified standards, but some importers are beginning to require third-party emission test reports.  

 

“These differences force enterprises to adjust formulations on a country-by-country basis,” said Laura Chen, Technical Director of the International Candle Association (ICA). “For example, candles exported to the EU need to reduce paraffin content and switch to blended bases like soy wax or palm wax.”  

 

---

 

### **Sustainable Production: From Cost Burden to Competitive Engine**  

Faced with standard upgrades, leading enterprises are transforming sustainable practices into export advantages.  

- **Raw Material Innovation**: Brazilian company CeraVerde extracts natural wax from discarded palm leaves in the Amazon region, achieving a 20% product premium after obtaining a carbon footprint certification.  

- **Process Upgrades**: A factory in Zhejiang, China, introduced a solar-powered wax melting system, reducing energy consumption by 40% and earning ESG procurement points from Walmart.  

- **Circular Economy**: French brand Maison des Bougies established a waste wax recycling network, reprocessing returned candle remnants into new products and reducing waste by over 800 tons annually.  

 

“Sustainability has become a hard requirement for international buyers,” emphasized Zhang Wei, an analyst at global supply chain consulting firm EcoChain. “In 2023, export orders for candles meeting green standards increased by 35% year-on-year, while non-compliant enterprises are gradually exiting high-end markets in Europe and America.”