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Standards fire safety and safety labeling of candles renewed!

On October 1 and November 1, 2019, the new versions of European standards EN 15493:2019 and EN 15494:2019 were published. These standards contain specifications for the fire safety and safety labeling of candles. All conflicting national standards must be withdrawn by April 2020. The new versions of the standards contain a number of significant changes and will affect your technical documentation. We have highlighted the most important changes for you.

EN 15493:2019 (specifications for fire safety of candles), replaces EN 15493:2007

1. Clarification of terms and definitions used.

The definitions of the following existing terms have been added to clarify the interpretation of the standard:

  • Floating candle
  • Indoor candle
  • Non-freestanding candle

The terms below have been added to clarify testing requirements:

  • Residual height
  • Aftersmoke time

2. Introduction of a specified test method for self-extinguishing candles.

A test method has been added for self-extinguishing candles:

  • Freestanding self-extinguishing candles must extinguish automatically at the end of the specified burn time. The candles shall leave no burn marks on the paper placed under the candle throughout the test.
  • Non-freeze self-extinguishing candles, up to 14mm in diameter, must have a remaining height of at least 12mm after extinguishing. A minimum height of at least 18mm applies to larger sized candles.

3. Relaxation of maximum aftersmoke time.

The maximum time the candle is allowed to re-smoke has been extended by 10 seconds:

  • The new version of EN 15493 specifies that the wick must not continue to glow or smoke for more than 30 seconds after being extinguished. Previously, this was subject to a limit of 20 seconds. As of the new version, the average of all individual measurements of all candles and burn times will apply as the aftersmoke time to be evaluated.

4. Adaptation in the test method and test procedure for conducting a fire test

For practical implementation of the fire test and uniformity with the specifications from standard EN 15426:2018 (soot behavior specification), the following modifications were made:

  • The defined weight of the candle in the fire test procedure has been changed to candles up to 25g and over 25g (without container). In the previous standard, this weight was 40g.
  • For candles over 25g, a break of 60 minutes has been introduced after every 4 hours of burning. This should be repeated until the end of the burn test.

5. Addition of additional attachments

The following appendices have been added to the standard:

  • Annex A: the hourly fuel consumption calculation.
  • Annex B: the required analytical method for measuring the surface temperature of a container.

EN 15494: 2019 (product safety labeling of candles), replaces EN 15494:2007

1. Custom layout and new safety symbols.

All safety symbols have a new layout, also a number of new symbols have been added:

  • A new safety symbol has been introduced which is mandatory for floating candles.
  • New, optional-to-use symbols have been added for such things as; removing the label before use, instructions for trimming the edges of the candle and a warning about heat for container candles.

2. A minimum height for safety symbols is defined

Safety symbols should have a minimum height of 5mm. Previously, it was only defined that the symbols must be clearly visible.

3. New rules regarding the safety label

New rules have been defined for candles with limited space for the safety label:

  • When space is limited, the optional symbols may be placed elsewhere on the package, this is allowed only if the mandatory symbols are also repeated again.

It is no longer permitted to provide safety information by leaflet with the candle.

Need support?

Do you sell candles on the European market and wonder how these changes will affect your technical dossier? Precon can offer you support on:

  • Reviewing or compiling security labels
  • Understanding the impact of changes on your technical file

Contact us at +31 (0)30 - 65 66 010 or info@precongroup.com. You will then receive our no-obligation quotation. Would you like to know more about product safety? Go to the product safety expertise page
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