If your company is dedicated to producing and selling essential oils, you have to think carefully about the custom labels on those items. The American Herbal Products Association maintains a list of recommended information to include on product packaging.

The AHPA suggests every manufacturer of essential oils follow its guidance on labeling, whether those companies are members of the trade group or not. Compliance will enforce a consistent set of policies across the sector, which can help consumers make purchases confidently, increasing awareness of warnings and directions associated with the items they're buying.

Aromatherapy authority Robert Tisserand explained when the rules passed that they were meant to create "responsible commerce" in the herbal supplement industry.

What Does the AHPA Suggest?

The custom warning labels on essential oils should include both storage and usage cautions. The former consists of directions about where consumers should keep the products. To get in line with the AHPA policy, it's required that you clearly state when oils should be kept away from children. You may also warn buyers if they should keep items away from flame, though this is guidance rather than a requirement.

Usage cautions direct people in the safe application of essential oils. There are a few ways to say that substances should only be used externally and not ingested, and your company will have to pick one of them. Furthermore, oils should be labeled with the information that they may harm eyes or mucous membranes and should not be applied undiluted. To be exempt from the warning about undiluted application, a manufacturer needs to have expert support for that usage being "appropriate and safe."

Optional warnings include directions in case the oils are swallowed, or what to do when skin irritation occurs. Some oils may have photosensitizing effects, warranting additional cautions. Specific oils also come with their own cautions from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials or the International Fragrance Association.

Where Can You Order High-Quality Custom Essential Oil Labels?

Lightning Labels is an ideal partner for your brand's next batch of essential oil product labels. By producing sharp, high-resolution images on all-digital printers, Lightning Labels allows companies to display the most important branded information on their essential oil packaging, from the AHPA's required and recommended warnings to logos and other product imagery.

Attractive essential oil packaging can convince first-time buyers to try a new supplement, and staying in compliance with industry organization guidelines is a way to align your company with the rest of the field while building customer confidence.

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