Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting the Intertek lab (where safety assessments are carried out) and meeting with some of the lovely, hospitable people that work there.  Anyway, I was taken into the candle test area (because I mentioned about some of you who make candles).  An incredibly peaceful area, lots of candles all lit up (admitedly wired up to testing equipment) and the air smelling of a fusion all sorts of fragrances.  All it needed was some nice soft music and I could easily have spent the week there  :mwaha:  I met with a guy called John Horsler who is the team leader for candles (testing) who was very informative indeed.  He explained that there were some standards that candles should meet:

BS EN 15426
BS EN 15493
BS EN 15494

I have added a resource to the site that gives an overview of these standards.  While these are not part of a directive and are therefore not compulsory, obviously large scale companies require them to meet these standards.  John and his team test candles for many things (such as burn time, efficiency etc...) and that they meet with  the standards of safety.  

It was funny, there was one candle in particular that caught my eye, very comtemporary and pretty.  I was told that it had apparently set fire to a house    (probably why it was being put through its paces) but that forced me to ask 'If someone bought a candle from me that I had made and it caused a fire, could I be sued?'  I was told it was possible.  Apparently, I would be in a much better position if I could prove that my candle met the standards though.  If you do make candles, it might be worth having a look at these standards (as well as the overview in resources).  

Thanks for that info H.  Will have a good read.  Just a bit sad that there are yet more regulations for making things. 

Do you think my crochet needs to meet H&S regulations in case it unravels and strangles somebody? 

Well, this is your crochet we are talking about aren't we JJ  :mwaha:   

I'm having a spot of bother getting the resource on the site so is not there yet    But don't worry too much, it is not compulsory it's just worth keeping in mind.  The info that John gave me (that will be in the legal section when I get the darn thing on there) is a useful guideline and outlines labelling in a very straightforward way. 

Point taken H.  Damn, you know me too well now.  :mwaha:

Be interesting to read that then when you solve the problem.

 :mwaha:

Have never made candles but that's not to say I won't but interesting to know about these things. Sounds like a nice day out H.

It was really great.  I saw the testing labs and all the staff were reallly friendly.  They do safety assessments and my reason for going was on behalf of the members here.  I have discussed your general needs with them and I think they are going to do their best to accomodate.  I will be adding their details to site as soon as kes sorts this problem out.  But all in all, I spent a goodly amount of time with them and they were all really lovely people and I was amazed at the time they gave me and how hospitable they were.  The facilities were great and it is large company.  All in all, I did come away a little more enlightened.  They also run seminars on safety assessment and EU directive stuff.

Sounds like a very good contact H.  I'd love to go to something like that.

Do you mean work in a lab JJ?  I would love it.  I love science, particularly physiology

Just to have a look round something like that and see what really goes on. 
Slightly off track, but we went round the Harley Davidson factory in the US years ago  (I have NO interest in bikes whatsoever) and it was really really interesting just to see how they actually make the things.  I love stuff like that - learing something different instead of the daily drudge.

I know what you mean.  Kes is a design engineer for a very well known car company.  We went to a family day at his work a couple of years ago and the facilities were really interesting, even though I have absolutely no interest in cars (apart from whether they look good or not)

I remember when I was little (probably only 6 or 7) being taken on a school trip to a batik factory and traditional jewellery place in Malaysia.  I've never forgotten it, and can still see it clearly now if I stop and think!  Can't remember what day it is or what I'm supposed to be doing most of the time, but I still remember that
 :mwaha:

Funny how some things just stick in your head isn't it 

Not alot else does these days - I think it's full  :mwaha:

Wow Helen that sounds really exciting, I find labs very fascinating I think because they deal in such small particles. I'm more of the big-picture gal and am in awe of anyone who works with the miniature  :mwaha: