EN 16740:2015

Overview

EN 16740:2015 is a European Standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that specifies user safety labelling requirements for combustible air fresheners. This standard aims to ensure that the emissions from these products do not pose health risks by providing clear and standardized safety information to consumers. It defines essential safety messages, pictograms, and the layout of product safety labels to promote safer usage practices and reduce potential harm related to inhalation or improper handling.

Key Topics

• User Safety Labelling
  EN 16740:2015 mandates clear and conspicuous safety labels on combustible air fresheners. The labels must include relevant safety symbols or texts to inform users about emission risks.

• Safety Information Symbols and Texts
  The standard lists specific safety information such as:

  • Ventilate the room after use
  • Avoid direct inhalation of smoke
  • Reference to enclosed or attached safety instructions

• Label Design and Layout
  Product safety labels must incorporate the general warning sign (ISO 7010-W001) prominently, accompanied either by the safety symbols or explanatory texts. Labels should be clearly visible on the product packaging or product itself, employing the safety color yellow to enhance noticeability as per ISO 3864-2:2004 guidelines.

• Multilingual Requirements
  For products marketed in multiple countries, safety information texts must appear in the official language(s) of each country to ensure effective communication.

• Risk-Based Labelling
  The extent and number of symbols or texts included on the label depend on a risk assessment of each product’s emission characteristics.

Applications

• Manufacturers of Combustible Air Fresheners
  Businesses designing and producing air freshening products that use combustion must comply with EN 16740 to meet regulatory safety requirements and avoid legal or market access issues.

• Retail and Distribution
  Point-of-sale displays and product packaging should carry all mandated safety information to educate consumers and promote safe usage.

• Consumer Safety and Public Health
  Clear labelling helps reduce indoor air quality risks by reminding users to ventilate rooms and avoid direct smoke inhalation from air fresheners, supporting healthier living environments.

• Regulatory Compliance
  EN 16740 supports alignment with European cosmetic product regulations and harmonizes safety labelling across EU member states, facilitating smoother market integration.

Related Standards

• EN 16738:2015 – Emission safety test methods for combustible air fresheners, providing the technical basis for risk assessment.
• EN 15494 – Product safety labels for candles, relevant for products combining fragrance and combustion functions.
• EN ISO 7010:2012 – Standardized graphical safety symbols essential for uniform hazard communication.
• ISO 3864-2:2004 – Safety colors and sign design principles to enhance label visibility and comprehension.
• Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 – European cosmetic product regulation informing requirements for consumer safety information.

EN 16740:2015 provides practical guidance for manufacturers and distributors to help ensure combustible air fresheners are safely labelled, effectively communicated, and compliant with EU safety directives. Compliance promotes consumer health by encouraging proper use and precautionary measures regarding emissions in everyday indoor environments.