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Have you ever wondered 'Do I Need Trade Scales?' If you’re a small business making and selling wax melts, candles, or other handmade products, you might have come across the term trade-approved scales (also known as legal-for-trade scales, or trade scales). But do you actually need them?
The short answer is no, not if you’re making wax melts, candles, or similar products - as long as you don’t put the weight on your label. However, there are exceptions, and in some cases, you may be legally required to use trade-approved scales.
In this blog, we’ll explain:
✅ What trade-approved scales are.
✅ When you do and don’t need them.
✅ How the law applies to wax melts and candles.
✅ Why some cosmetic products require trade scales.
✅ How to stay compliant with UK trading standards.
So, if you're wondering, "Do I need trade scales?", this blog will clear up the confusion!
What Are Trade-Approved Scales?
Trade-approved scales (also called legal-for-trade scales) are weighing scales that have been certified for commercial use. They are required when selling products by weight to ensure accuracy and fairness for consumers.
These scales must meet UK Weighing and Measuring Regulations, meaning they:
🔹 Have been tested and verified for commercial transactions.
🔹 Display the official ‘M’ marking, showing they meet EU/UK weighing standards.
🔹 Cannot be tampered with or manually adjusted once certified.
If you’re selling pre-packaged products with a weight label, you may need these scales - but that also depends on the type of product you sell.
Do I Need Trade Scales for Wax Melts?
No, you don’t need trade-approved scales for wax melts as long as you don’t include the weight on your label.
🔹 If you sell wax melts as "sold by piece" or "sold by unit", without listing weight, you are not legally required to use trade-approved scales.
🔹 If you choose to include the weight on your packaging or marketing materials, then you must use verified trade-approved scales to ensure accuracy.
💡 Example:
✅ Correct: "Pack of 6 wax melts – no weight mentioned" (No trade scales required).
❌ Incorrect: "100g pack of wax melts" (Trade scales required).
Why Does the Law Work This Way?
Wax melts are considered single-use products under UK law. Unlike food items, their weight does not impact the customer’s experience - people buy wax melts for their scent, not their weight.
As long as you don’t claim a weight on the packaging, you don’t need trade scales.
What About Candles?
Candles follow the same rules as wax melts:
✅ If you don’t list the weight, you don’t need trade-approved scales.
✅ If you state the weight on the label (e.g., "200g Soy Candle"), you must use trade-approved scales to ensure accuracy.
However, most candle makers choose to list the burn time instead of weight (e.g., “Approx. 40-hour burn time”). This avoids the need for trade scales while still giving customers a useful product description.
When Do You Need Trade Scales?
You will need trade-approved scales if:
✔️ You sell products by weight (e.g., "100g wax melts").
✔️ You manufacture cosmetic products that are not single-use (e.g., lotions, scrubs, bath salts).
✔️ You sell loose items by weight (e.g., refill wax beads, bulk bath salts).
If your product falls into any of these categories, then UK law requires you to use trade-approved scales to ensure that the weight is accurate and consistent.
Why Cosmetic Products Often Require Trade Scales
If you sell bath and body products, such as:
🛁 Bath salts
🛀 Body butter/Whipped soap/Body polish
🫧 Creams and lotions
🛁 Bath bombs (when not single-use)
Then you will need trade scales.
💡 The Key Factor: Is the product single-use?
✅ If it’s single-use (e.g., a single bath bomb used all at once), you don’t need to list weight, and trade scales aren’t required.
❌ If the product is used over time (e.g., a 250g jar of bath salts), weight must be listed, meaning trade scales are required.
What About Bath Bombs?
Bath bombs are a little bit of a grey area. If you sell them as single-use items, you can list them by unit instead of weight. However, if you sell a multi-use bath bomb that customers can break into pieces, then trade scales are required.
💡 Example:
✅ "Large bath bomb – one use" (No trade scales needed).
❌ "200g bath bomb" (Trade scales needed).
How to Stay Compliant Without Trade Scales
If you don’t want to invest in trade-approved scales, the easiest way to stay compliant is to sell your products by unit instead of weight.
🚀 Simple Ways to Avoid Trade Scale Requirements:
✔️ Sell wax melts and candles by unit (e.g., “Pack of 6” instead of “100g pack”).
✔️ Use burn time instead of weight for candles (e.g., “40-hour burn time”).
✔️ Avoid listing weight on bath bombs and similar products unless required.
By making these small adjustments, you can avoid unnecessary costs and compliance requirements while still providing clear product descriptions.
Should You Invest in Trade-Approved Scales Anyway?
Even though trade scales aren’t always required, some businesses choose to invest in them for peace of mind.
🔹 If you regularly sell by weight, having trade scales ensures accuracy and professionalism.
🔹 If you plan to expand into cosmetics, it might be a good long-term investment.
🔹 Some marketplaces (like Etsy or wholesale suppliers) may require weight verification.
However, for most wax melt and candle businesses, trade scales aren’t necessary unless you specifically choose to list weight on your products.
Final Verdict: Do I Need Trade Scales?
❌ NO – If you sell wax melts, candles, or single-use bath bombs without listing weight.
✅ YES – If you sell products by weight (e.g., "100g wax melts") or cosmetics that aren’t single-use.
💡 The easiest way to stay compliant? Simply sell your products by unit (e.g., “Pack of 6 wax melts” instead of “100g of wax melts”).
At House of Scent, we help small businesses understand compliance while providing premium fragrance oils and craft supplies to help you create amazing products.
Still Unsure? Join Our Community!
If you have more questions about trade scales, compliance, or fragrance oils, join our House of Scent Facebook Community - a supportive space for makers just like you!
