CLP Labels: A Complete Guide

As an aspiring business owner or even a seasoned market trader looking to sell candles, wax melts, or reed diffusers, this guide is for you.

As a business owner, it's likely you've come across the term "CLP" at least once in your research.

CLPs are an extremely important part of the selling process, but it can be difficult to figure out exactly what's required of them if you've never come across the term before.

To ease your stresses, we'll be running through everything you need to know about CLP meanings, where CLP labels belong, and what you need to include in order to help your small business thrive.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of CLP Labels remember you can also sign-up as a wholesaler to access all of our bulk business prices.

Signing up for access to our wholesale products is completely free and will not require any minimum order quantities to qualify.

Why are essential oils and fragrance oils deemed as "hazardous"?

Essential oils and fragrance oils generally contain ingredients that may pose a risk of irritation to the skin or eyes. They may also contain substances that are considered environmentally hazardous.

If present in certain concentrations, these oils will trigger health and environmental warnings as well as precautionary statements and safety pictograms. All this information must be included in your CLP label (more on this later).

Why are CLP labels important?

Failure to appropriately label any non-cosmetic product with the correct CLP label can result in legal action and loss of insurance for your company.

Incorrect CLP labelling is considered an offence in the UK, and it's down to you as the business owner to ensure your labels are displaying the necessary and correct information.

What should a CLP label look like?

All CLP information should be legible horizontally and firmly affixed to your product at all times. Here's what they should look like.

CLP labels should display the following information relative to the essential oil or fragrance oil you're using:

• Product Identifiers: These are essential for identifying the specific product being labelled. This includes the name of the essential oil or fragrance oil, any specific variant or blend, and possibly a batch or lot number for traceability purposes.
• Allergen Information: Many essential oils and fragrance oils contain compounds that could trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. It's important to clearly label any known allergens present in the product to ensure consumers can make informed decisions about their use.
• Single Word Markers (e.g. "warning"): Single word markers such as "warning" or "caution" serve as quick indicators of the potential hazards associated with the product. These markers grab attention and prompt individuals to read the accompanying warning and precautionary statements.
• Warning Statements: Warning statements provide specific information about the potential hazards of the product. This could include warnings about skin irritation, eye irritation, flammability, or other potential risks associated with the use or handling of the essential oil or fragrance oil.
• Precautionary Statements: Precautionary statements offer guidance on how to safely handle, store, and use the product to minimise risks. This may include advice on avoiding contact with skin or eyes, ensuring adequate ventilation during use, and proper storage instructions.
• Warning/Hazard Pictograms: Pictograms are graphical symbols used to convey specific information about the hazards associated with the product. Common pictograms include symbols for flammable substances, corrosive materials, irritants, and environmental hazards. These pictograms provide quick visual cues about the potential dangers of the product.
• Supplier Information (i.e. your business name, address, and contact details): Supplier information is essential for traceability and accountability. This includes your business name, physical address, and contact details such as phone number or email address. In the event of any issues or concerns, consumers need to know how to reach out to the supplier for assistance or clarification.

Ensuring that all these elements are clearly and accurately displayed on CLP labels helps to promote safety and transparency in the handling and use of essential oils and fragrance oils.

When customers are buying our wholesale products we often get asked if all essential oils need trigger warning pictograms or statements.

The answer is no, not all essential oils or fragrance oils will trigger warning pictograms or statements, so don't be alarmed if your label looks a little empty for some scents.

It will very much depend on the ingredients or natural components within the oil.

If there are no warning pictograms on your label, then a yellow warning triangle will need to be included instead.

How should I position my CLP candle labels?

Candle CLP labels should be affixed to the packaging that immediately contains the hazardous substance. In most cases, this is the candle glass itself.

For this reason, many candle makers prefer to use round labels that can be comfortably affixed to the bottom of the candle.

If you're boxing your candles in any way, then your CLP label should also be visible on the outer side of the box. This allows customers to view the information without having to touch the candle itself.

If your candle is too small or has a unique shape, it still requires a CLP. In these cases though, you may be able to use ties, tags, or fold-out labels as alternatives.

Where do I place CLP labels for wax melts?

As with candles, CLP labels for wax melts should be attached to the immediate packaging where the product is visible.

Any outer packaging that does not show the wax melts should also have a label clearly affixed in a horizontal, legible position.

What fragrance load percentage should I use for my CLP labels?

When creating your CLP label, you must use the correct fragrance load percentage present in your product. This can be an overestimated percentage (e.g. a marker of 10% on your label when the value is actually 9%) but never an underestimated one.

The maximum recommended fragrance load for candles and wax melts is 10%. Reed diffusers, room sprays, or plugins can fall in a range between 15-25% depending on the product.

Any hazardous bases used in your product - like augeo or ethanol - must also be present at the appropriate percentage in your CLP label.

If I'm not selling my products, do I still need a CLP label?

If you're not selling your products directly to an end user, then a CLP label is not required.

Any non-cosmetic products made for personal use only will not need to comply with the regulations as they're at the risk of the maker themselves.

What else is required of me as a seller?

This information is a common question asked by our wholesaler customers. Alongside your CLP label, you will also need an up-to-date Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for your essential oils or fragrance oils in order to be compliant with regulations.

This information does not need to appear anywhere on your physical product, but you should still have it to hand.

The Safety Data Sheet will outline all the ingredients and allergens in your oils as well as any potential hazards, storage methods, or emergency information. It should also contain your supplier's contact details.

SDSs will always be provided by your essential oil or fragrance oil supplier, and it is their responsibility to ensure these documents are easily accessible and available to customers at all times.

If you're using Nikura oils, you can find these technical documents here.

Most of the time, Safety Data Sheets can be made up to accommodate for the particular fragrance load and base of your product (such as 10% in candle wax).

There will also be a 100% version that is relevant to the raw oil itself.

Where can I find the information I need for my CLP label?

Most CLP information can be found via the SDSs of your chosen oils, but it can be quite confusing and time-consuming to locate the relevant hazards if you're just starting out.

Thankfully, if you're using Nikura oils in your products, then you needn't look any further than right here for all the information you need.

We provide CLP documents free of charge for all our oils (these can be found on our technical documents page). Contact us at support@nikura.com to request information for your business.

Do you supply CLP labels for your blends?

If you're looking to add one of our bespoke essential oil blends to your product collection, we're here to help provide you with all the CLP information you need.

This goes for custom blends too, so feel free to send us your creations for a detailed breakdown of what's required to help your business flourish.

CLP labelling may seem like an uncertain venture in the beginning, but with the right amount of time and research, the process will soon become easy to repeat.

If you're ever unsure about anything regarding your CLPs, contact the Nikura Support Team for further guidance on how to make your products safe for trade.

You can also sign-up for wholesale to access all of our bulk business prices. Signing up is completely free and will not require any minimum order quantities to qualify. Happy selling!

Please note that we are offering this advice to the best of our own knowledge. This post is for guidance purposes only. It is ultimately the responsibility of the business owner to conduct their own research and to ensure their products are compliant with UK legislation.