CLP compliance is a legal requirement for many fragranced products sold in the UK. If your wax melts, candles, diffusers or sprays contain classified fragrance oils, your finished product may require CLP classification and labelling under GB CLP.
This guide covers what CLP is, what belongs on a CLP label, and the key size and legibility rules makers often get caught out by.
1. Understand When CLP Applies
CLP applies to substances and mixtures that are classified as hazardous. In home fragrance, this is commonly triggered by fragrance oils or essential oils (because they contain classified components).
Once you turn a raw material into a finished product and place it on the UK market, you’re responsible for ensuring the finished mixture is correctly classified and labelled where required.
2. What Must Be on a CLP Label?
A CLP label must communicate hazards clearly and consistently. The exact pictograms and H/P phrases depend on the classification outcome for your specific mixture (and your actual fragrance load).
A compliant CLP label typically includes:
- Product identifier (mixture name)
- Supplier details (business name, UK address and contact number)
- Hazard pictograms (red diamond symbols)
- Signal word (“Warning” or “Danger”)
- Hazard statements (H-phrases)
- Precautionary statements (P-phrases)
- Supplemental information where required (for example, certain sensitiser wording)
- UFI (Unique Formula Identifier) where applicable
One of the most common compliance issues is trying to compress required text to fit a preferred label size. If it isn’t readable, it isn’t compliant.
3. Label Size, Pictogram Size & Font Rules
CLP sets minimum presentation requirements based on the package capacity. For most small retail items, the “up to 3L” category is the one that matters.
Minimum label dimensions (by package capacity):
- Up to 3L: label at least 52 × 74 mm
- Over 3L up to 50L: label at least 74 × 105 mm
- Over 50L up to 500L: label at least 105 × 148 mm
- Over 500L: label at least 148 × 210 mm
Minimum pictogram sizes
- Up to 3L: at least 10 × 10 mm (16 × 16 mm recommended where possible)
- Over 3L up to 50L: at least 23 × 23 mm
- Over 50L up to 500L: at least 32 × 32 mm
- Over 500L: at least 46 × 46 mm
Minimum font size is measured using x-height (the height of a lowercase “x”). The key point is that text must remain clearly readable — especially hazard and precautionary statements.
4. Small Packaging Doesn’t Mean “No CLP”
Small packaging is where makers often get caught out. There are limited provisions for difficult-to-label packaging, but they depend on the hazard classification and do not automatically remove the requirement to communicate hazards.
If your packaging can’t physically carry what’s required, the solution is usually a different format (wrap label, peel/reseal label, fold-out, tag, outer carton) — not deleting hazard content.
5. Common CLP Mistakes Makers Make
- Using supplier CLP text without matching it to your actual fragrance load
- Reducing pictograms below minimum size
- Compressing text below minimum legibility
- Trying to force CLP onto a preferred “aesthetic” label size
- Forgetting supplier UK address/contact details on the label
Label size is a compliance decision, not a design preference.
STIKCA prints artwork exactly as supplied. If required compliance information cannot fit within a requested size while meeting minimum readability standards, label dimensions may need to increase. Classification accuracy and compliance remain the responsibility of the brand placing the order.
CLP Labelling FAQs
Do wax melts and candles always require CLP labels?
If the finished product is classified as hazardous due to its fragrance/essential oil content, yes.
Can I make my CLP label smaller to fit my packaging?
Only if minimum label dimensions, pictogram sizes and text legibility requirements are still met.
What if the packaging is too small?
Use an alternative format (wrap, peel/reseal, fold-out, tag, or outer packaging). Deleting hazard elements can create compliance risk.
Does STIKCA verify classification or generate CLP text?
No. We print artwork exactly as supplied. Classification and compliance remain the responsibility of the brand owner.
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