BRUSSELS / STUTTGART (17 January 2019) ̶ In December 2018, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency Miljøstyrelsen published a comprehensive research report[1] on their website that provides a number of important new findings on particles emitted by candles and their evaluation. The most important findings are probably that these particles almost entirely consist of water-soluble salts […]
Industry Report in Autumn/Winter 2019
No recovery in sight yet after significant decline of candle consumption After candle consumption in the European Union had increased continuously for many years, it dropped by almost seven percent to 740.000 tons or 1,44 kg per head in 2018. The main reason was the long hot summer that kept people from getting into the […]
Formation of formaldehyde from limonene in scented household products
BRUSSELS / STUTTGART (29 January 2016) ̶ In mid-January, BBC linked limonene in scented household products, including scented candles, to potential health hazards due to the formation of formaldehyde when the limonene reacts with ozone in their television program “Trust me I am a Doctor”. The results of the underlying experiment were reported on BBC.com, and […]
European candle industry welcomes future standardisation mandate for candles and candle accessories
BRUSSELS / STUTTGART (26 November 2015) ̶ The EU Member State experts for consumer protection recently recommended safety requirements that will pave the way for a standardisation mandate covering candles and related products. This will be the basis for developing European Standards which will further increase the level of safety for consumers. The European candle […]
ECA position on the BfR opinion from 11 November 2013 on lead, nickel and allergenic scents in candles to be restricted
On 24 January 2014, the German BfR (Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) published an opinion on lead, nickel and allergenic scents in candles to be restricted (BfR opinion No 004/2014, 11 No-vember 2013). The European candle industry, represented by AECM, A.I.S.E. and ECA, questions the scientific basis of BfR´s opinion with regard to all three […]
Azo dyes in candles are no problem – a candle is no baby toy after all
What is an azo dye? Azo dyes are the biggest group within the dyes. They are widely used because they are particularly light-fast and stable and have vivid colours. Azo dyes themselves are normally not unhealthy. Some of them can be split into their components in the human body however and some of these so-called […]
Risks caused by inappropriate candle containers and burners
The suitability of containers and candle holders for the respective type of candle is most crucial for avoiding fire risks. The way consumers use candles has changed over the past years to the effect that more and more tea lights and also other candles are burned in containers and candle holders made of glass, metal […]
Particle emissions from candles are no health hazard
Just like any other open combustion, candles emit fine particles but do not pose a health hazard if some rules are respected. From time to time, the media reports on the high emission of fine particles from candles and the supposed health hazard connected with it. If some basic rules for handling candles are respected, […]
ECA statement refuting study by South Carolina State University researchers suggesting candles may release harmful or even carcinogenic pollutants
The European Candle Association seriously questions the scientific validity of a report by two South Carolina State University researchers* suggesting that candles, especially paraffin candles, can release harmful amounts of indoor air pollutants or even carcinogens. The assertions of Drs. Massoudi and Hamidi totally contradict the overwhelming body of scientific evidence of the topic. They […]