Things have to be put into perspective”, says Sébastien Roy, R&D Manager at Bougies La Française, “the media have seized upon this announcement in a very alarmist way, but we still don’t know about the future regulation guidelines”. People globally seem confident and welcome this initiative which, while improving the quality of interior air, could also improve the offer. Audrey Haupt, Marketing Manager at Terre d’Oc and Guilhem Rousseau, founder of Manufacture Française de Bougies, both think “it’s good there is a demand for transparency, especially on import products”.

What should be expected?

According to Sébastien Roy, French regulations might rely on European work in terms of labelling and standardization. Some of the standards published in 2007 for information only might become mandatory within the next two or three years. In addition to these standards, which are related to smoke quantification, anti-inflammatory safety and labelling, a project for the standardization of analysis methods is ongoing. Sébastien Roy adds that “it’s actually about methodology, how to analyse a candle, given the fact that combustion variations may alter results, and how to extrapolate given the various parameters (size of the item, ventilation level, burn time…). This project aims at universalizing the analysis method, and the limit values will then be left to each country’s own free will”.

The hypothetical limit values on benzene exposure laid down by the French authorities do not seem to worry manufacturers. “Our results on candles were obtained in accordance with the analyses in force, and they are much inferior to the values recommended by the WHO,” explains Sébastien Roy. “We constantly tool up to improve our tests and keep providing quality”, adds Julien Pruvost, Executive Director of CIR. Terre d’Oc claims the same, as they have conducted a two-year study, along with Natures & Découvertes, which was destined for real-time measuring of the impact of their candles in the CSTB’s experimental house MARIA [1]. Results proved inferior to risk values.

As for olfactory compositions, Carla Romagnosa, Marketing Manager of Switzerland-based Cosmo Fragrances International, explains she has not received any specific request from her customers.

A blooming market

Therefore complying with standards should not represent any obstacle to the great growth increase in the sales of high-end perfumed candles (+ 15 % per year since 1995). “Luxury candles are winning acclaim, and perfume brands are growing aware of the fact that it is a powerful image driver that is likely to generate some turnover”, explains Julien Pruvost.

If Europe – mainly France and the UK – represents about half the market, Asia is increasing its share with an uncompromising demand for quality. “The market is mainly thriving in Japan but, paradoxically, awareness is being raised about the problems related to air quality in China, where consumers look for well-made products”, adds Guilhem Rousseau.

We will have to wait until spring 2014 to find out about the content of the new regulation, which should reassure French consumers and reinforce the Asian clientele.