mark sanger
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Hi all
In response to a conversation on another forum about candle sticks etc. I thought my findings may be of interest.
A while ago in another thread it was mentioned that in Australia you could not sell candle holders that did not have a metal insert and that if you were then you could have your stand closed down.
Different countries obviously have differing legislation in the ways that products are made and sold.
So based on this I wanted to find out where we stand in the UK in relation to the making and selling of candle sticks/holders.
Contact was made with Trading Standards a while ago with me asking for specific legislation in relation to Candle sticks etc.
There are No regulations specifically covering candle sticks. And there is nowhere in UK regs or law that says you have to include a metal insert for a candle stick.
However the product will come under the General Product safety Legislation 2005 ( copy of the link and others I have included below. )
Each is responsible for making sure that they conform to any legislation and I will not take responsibility for the information I post here or use of in anyway. Each should make sure they read and comply and I only post to help point others in the direction of this legislation.
Basically of course to be on the side of safety is the best option is to include a metal shield.
However there has been discussion also about "T" lights and that a shield should still be included.
This is not the case.
You could make a candle stick without a metal shield. Whether you do or do not if you are selling any product which is likely to cause injury or damage then you
"Must also supply safety information"
This safety information could be " This product does not include a candle shield , Do not allow the candle to burn down to the holder, do not leave burning unattended, etc etc etc etc" Again this is just an example of what may or may not be suitable advice. ( much more detail and industry standards are included in the links)
If you are selling Candles with candle sticks then you must buy law/regs include candle safety information. If you are not to date then you ARE breaching UK law and could be hung up by something painful if your item burns down someone's house or causes injury.
So in short you do not have to include an insert ( but best to I think). If you do or do not then you must supply safety information.
If you sell an item without a candle then you do not have to supply the candle safety advice. ( But I would suggest is would be prudent to do so.)
You have to think what will happen if something goes to court as the court will in my experience use the " what a reasonable member of the public would consider"
If suitable info is given then this is deemed to be satisfactory ( as I was told the consumer also has to apply common sense) and if they have been given all the info then we as makers can not do a lot more.
So if you are selling at a craft fair and someone comes to shut you down as you do not have metal inserts, ( they can not, as long as you have the safety info which is given out with each and every item). Even if you do not have the safety info to hand then you can voluntarily remove the items which is the preferred cause of action.
However as I said earlier aiming for best scenario is always better than trying to fight something in court and for a few pence for an insert then I would personally use them. But I do not use them for "T" lights as they already have a metal shield. ( again do what you want based on your own research of the info below, as saying " well Mark Sanger doesn't use one" to a solicitor won't hold much weight. I don't think !!)
I hope this info helps.
Safety of T lights and Candles
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file21807.pdf
Trading Standards candle safety
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tradingsta...sumeradvice/tradingstandards-candlesafety.htm
Bristish Candle Makers Safety
http://www.britishcandlemakers.org/Safety.htm
General Product Safety regulations 2005
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file22713.pdf
In response to a conversation on another forum about candle sticks etc. I thought my findings may be of interest.
A while ago in another thread it was mentioned that in Australia you could not sell candle holders that did not have a metal insert and that if you were then you could have your stand closed down.
Different countries obviously have differing legislation in the ways that products are made and sold.
So based on this I wanted to find out where we stand in the UK in relation to the making and selling of candle sticks/holders.
Contact was made with Trading Standards a while ago with me asking for specific legislation in relation to Candle sticks etc.
There are No regulations specifically covering candle sticks. And there is nowhere in UK regs or law that says you have to include a metal insert for a candle stick.
However the product will come under the General Product safety Legislation 2005 ( copy of the link and others I have included below. )
Each is responsible for making sure that they conform to any legislation and I will not take responsibility for the information I post here or use of in anyway. Each should make sure they read and comply and I only post to help point others in the direction of this legislation.
Basically of course to be on the side of safety is the best option is to include a metal shield.
However there has been discussion also about "T" lights and that a shield should still be included.
This is not the case.
You could make a candle stick without a metal shield. Whether you do or do not if you are selling any product which is likely to cause injury or damage then you
"Must also supply safety information"
This safety information could be " This product does not include a candle shield , Do not allow the candle to burn down to the holder, do not leave burning unattended, etc etc etc etc" Again this is just an example of what may or may not be suitable advice. ( much more detail and industry standards are included in the links)
If you are selling Candles with candle sticks then you must buy law/regs include candle safety information. If you are not to date then you ARE breaching UK law and could be hung up by something painful if your item burns down someone's house or causes injury.
So in short you do not have to include an insert ( but best to I think). If you do or do not then you must supply safety information.
If you sell an item without a candle then you do not have to supply the candle safety advice. ( But I would suggest is would be prudent to do so.)
You have to think what will happen if something goes to court as the court will in my experience use the " what a reasonable member of the public would consider"
If suitable info is given then this is deemed to be satisfactory ( as I was told the consumer also has to apply common sense) and if they have been given all the info then we as makers can not do a lot more.
So if you are selling at a craft fair and someone comes to shut you down as you do not have metal inserts, ( they can not, as long as you have the safety info which is given out with each and every item). Even if you do not have the safety info to hand then you can voluntarily remove the items which is the preferred cause of action.
However as I said earlier aiming for best scenario is always better than trying to fight something in court and for a few pence for an insert then I would personally use them. But I do not use them for "T" lights as they already have a metal shield. ( again do what you want based on your own research of the info below, as saying " well Mark Sanger doesn't use one" to a solicitor won't hold much weight. I don't think !!)
I hope this info helps.
Safety of T lights and Candles
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file21807.pdf
Trading Standards candle safety
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tradingsta...sumeradvice/tradingstandards-candlesafety.htm
Bristish Candle Makers Safety
http://www.britishcandlemakers.org/Safety.htm
General Product Safety regulations 2005
http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file22713.pdf