Candles with lead wicks

Candles with wicks that contain more than 0.06% of lead and candle wicks that contain more than 0.06% of lead are subject to a permanent ban. 

Hazards

Lead poisoning

Candles containing more than 0.06% of lead when burned in an enclosed area for a long time can release high levels of lead into the atmosphere.  Emissions from candles containing lead are considered hazardous to the health, particularly for unborn babies, small children and pregnant women who can experience:

• impaired growth
• hearing loss
• behaviour problems
• respiratory problems
• impaired short term memory
• reproductive disorders
• memory loss
• nerve disorders

Ban

Consumer Protection Notice No. 7 of 2002 prescribes requirements for this ban. This ban came into effect on 22 October 2002.

Does this apply to your business?

Under the ACL supply includes:

• in relation to goods - (including re-supply) by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire-purchase and
• in relation to services - provide, grant of confer. 

This ban applies to anyone in the business of supplying candles with lead wicks, including:

• manufacturers
• importers
• distributors
• retailers
• hirers.

Complying with the ban

To fully understand how to comply with the ban, suppliers must read Consumer Protection Notice No. 7 of 2002. 

Penalties and consequences

Supplying candles with banned lead wicks can make you liable for heavy fines and product recalls. For more details, view Penalties and consequences.