Amazon Canada Candle and Candle Holder Compliance

Introduction: Why Do Candles and Candle Holders Need Certification?

Amazon has increasingly tightened safety regulations for home products, particularly those involving open flames such as candles and candle holders. Recently, large batches of candle products have been delisted from Amazon Canada and US marketplaces for failing to comply with SOR/ASTM certifications—causing significant losses for sellers. This guide provides an in-depth look at Amazon’s regulatory requirements for candles and holders to help sellers achieve full compliance for international sales.

Regulatory Background and Scope

1.1 Key Regulations and Standards

Amazon Canada:

Candles:Must comply with:

SOR/2016-165 (Canada Consumer Product Safety Regulations for candles),

ASTM F2417-17 (Standard Specification for Fire Safety for Candles),

ASTM F2058-07 (Standard Specification for Candle Labeling).

Candle Holders:Must meet:

ASTM F2601-18 (Standard for Fire Safety for Candle Accessories).

Amazon US:

Similar standards to Canada, with additional attention to:

ASTM F2417-17, and

FCC certificationif electronic components are included.

1.2 Covered Product Types

Candles:Includes scented candles, birthday candles, religious or ceremonial candles.

Candle Holders:Includes holders made of metal, ceramic, glass, as well as tealight cups and accessories.

Core Compliance Requirements

2.1 Fire Safety Performance

Flame Height:Must not exceed safe thresholds during burning (e.g., ≤3 inches as per Canada’s SOR standards).

Afterglow Time:Any afterglow must completely extinguish within 30 seconds to prevent reignition risks.

Stability Testing:Candle holders must remain stable at a 10° tilt to avoid fire hazards due to tipping.

2.2 Labeling and Instructions

Bilingual Warning Labels:Must include both English and French. Example: "Never leave burning candles unattended."

Mandatory Information:Product model, manufacturer’s name, compliance marks (e.g., IC-ID), and hazard icons.

2.3 Testing Report Requirements

Testing must be conducted by ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, covering:

Fire safety performance,

Material toxicity (e.g., lead, mercury content).

Certification Process and Timeline

3.1 Four-Step ComplianCE certification

1. Sample Preparation:Submit 3–5 unopened samples identical to the retail version.

2. Laboratory Testing:

 Flame height and afterglow time tests,

 Heavy metal content and chemical analysis,

 Stability and fire resistance of accessories.

3. Report Review:Lab provides a draft test report; finalized after seller confirmation.

4. Submission to Amazon:Upload testing reports and compliance label images to Amazon Seller Central.

3.2 Timeline and Cost

Testing Duration:Typically 5–7 business days (if documents are complete).

Cost Estimate:Around \$698 USDper candle SKU (including testing and reports).

Common Pitfalls and Best Practices

4.1 How to Certify Multiple SKUs?

If variants differ only by color or size, submit a "variation declaration"to combine tests and reduce costs.

4.2 Common Label Design Oversights

Warning font size must be ≥1.5mm, with clear contrast against the background.

Ensure high-resolution imagesof all label sides are provided to avoid rejection due to poor visibility.

4.3 Risk of Regulatory Updates

Canada’s SOR candle regulations may be updated every 2 years. Regularly review the latest version to stay compliant.

Amazon’s strict oversight of candle-related categories aims to reduce fire hazards and consumer complaints. Sellers must integrate compliance thinking from the product design stage, partner with accredited labs (e.g., JJR Labs in China), and allow at least 2 weeksfor certification. Only through full compliancecan sellers avoid product delisting, fines (up to CAD 100,000), and damage to brand reputation.