PCN & UFI for Automatic Dishwashing Detergents

How does the UFI creation and PCN notification service work?

After purchasing this service, you will receive access to the secure portal. This portal contains an overview of all steps. You fill in your product details and we will get to work.

Poison Center Notification & UFI

We will provide:

• Your product’s Unique Formula Identifier (UFI)
• A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) report
• Registration of your product with the relevant national Poison Centres via ECHA.

Countries for PCN registration

You can count the number of countries in which you want to register your product. This is the number of countries you need to purchase. You will be able to select the specific countries within the portal. If you plan to expand the sales of your products to new countries at a later date, then you can always order additional PCN country registrations.
The EU has 27 countries and the EEA has 30 (EU+Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland) In the portal you can select these countries:

*For Switzerland we can create the PCN dossier, with all the needed information to make a submission in the Swiss portal. Contact us for more information.

CLP Label Information

We offer the option to purchase a CLP compliant product label, containing all mandatory information as required by the EU CLP Regulation. This will be provided as a PDF. This is not a design, but a summery of the required information. This will enable you to integrate the necessary information into your product label design. You can also order the CLP label creation separately. Already have a label? — We can do a CLP label compliance check of your label in accordance with current CLP requirements. We will provide detailed feedback and corrections to ensure your label meets all regulatory standards.

Poison Centre Notification for Automatic Dishwashing Detergents (Household Use)

Automatic dishwashing detergents formulated for household use often include powerful cleaning agents, such as enzymes, bleaches, and surfactants, to remove tough residues and achieve spotless results. Because these components can be hazardous if accidentally ingested or mishandled, any automatic dishwasher detergent classified as hazardous under EU regulations requires a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). By submitting a PCN, manufacturers and distributors allow poison centers to access critical safety details—such as the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, and recommended first aid—ensuring fast and accurate responses in the event of accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links a hazardous product to its exact chemical formulation. For automatic dishwashing detergents deemed hazardous, the UFI must appear on the product label, typically near hazard symbols or safety warnings. In an emergency, poison centers use this code to identify the product’s precise makeup quickly, guiding them to the correct medical or first-aid measures.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a legal requirement under EU law for hazardous chemical mixtures. Submitting a PCN for a household automatic dishwashing detergent ensures poison centers have immediate access to essential product data—like chemical ingredients, hazard ratings, usage guidelines, and first-aid instructions—so healthcare professionals can rapidly and effectively handle exposure incidents.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are identified and labeled across EU member states. Automatic dishwashing detergents that meet hazardous classification thresholds must display hazard symbols, risk/precautionary statements, and the UFI on their labels. This labeling system alerts users to potential risks and encourages safe product handling.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers that offers urgent guidance and medical support for chemical exposure situations. By registering hazardous dishwashing detergents with a PCN, companies enable these centers to retrieve product safety data instantly, enhancing the accuracy and speed of interventions when accidents occur.

Why Is This Needed?

Household automatic dishwashing detergents can contain substances that may cause eye or skin irritation, respiratory issues, or other health hazards if accidentally ingested or improperly used. A PCN ensures poison centers have thorough knowledge of the detergent’s composition, reducing risk for consumers and aligning with EU regulations aimed at consistent safety practices.

Since When Is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture—including certain automatic dishwashing detergents—must be registered via a PCN under EU CLP regulations. This mandate secures uniform safety measures and effective emergency response protocols throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all automatic dishwashing detergents require a PCN?

Answer: Only those detergents classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need a PCN. Products considered non-hazardous do not require registration.

Question: Where should I place the UFI on the product label?

Answer: The UFI typically appears near any hazard symbols or safety instructions, making it easy for poison centers to identify the product quickly in an emergency.

Question: What does a PCN submission involve for dishwashing detergents?

Answer: A PCN must include the detergent’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging details, usage instructions, and recommended first-aid measures. This data ensures prompt and accurate responses to exposure incidents.

Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?

Answer: The product’s manufacturer, importer, or distributor is typically obliged to file the PCN if the detergent meets hazardous classification criteria.

Question: What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Answer: Failure to submit a PCN when required can lead to fines, product recalls, or restrictions on selling the detergent until the PCN requirements are fulfilled.

Question: Are professional-use dishwashing detergents also subject to PCN regulations?

Answer: Yes. Any detergent classified as hazardous under CLP must comply with PCN rules, regardless of its intended user base (consumer or professional).

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory?

Answer: The PCN requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, for all hazardous chemical mixtures under EU CLP regulations.

Question: How long does it take to submit the UFI and PCN notification?

It takes us a few days’ work. As soon as you upload the documentation, we will get started right away.

Question: Am I the owner of the PCN notification?

Yes, you are the owner of the PCN notification. You retain full ownership of the data you provided. The PCN notification will be accessible in your ECHA account.

Question: Is this service for one product or more?

The service is for one product.

Question: Why do I have to pay to create a UFI?

The service we offer is not just about providing a UFI. The UFI is a component within a much more extensive process. The core service we provide is the preparation and submission of your Poison Centre Notification (PCN) to national appointed bodies through ECHA portal, which is a mandatory requirement under the EU CLP Regulation for placing hazardous mixtures on the market. Generating a UFI is simplest part.  The PCN report, however, is complex. It demands detailed ingredient review—chemical classifications—formatted precisely for Poison Centre submission via ECHA.

Question: My company is not based in the EU, how can I submit a PCN?

We provide a solution for companies which are not based in the EU. You can find more information on the PCN & UFI for non-EU companies page.

Question: Can you provide Safety Data Sheets in full compliance with EU Regulation (REACH & CLP)?

Yes, we can create Safety Data Sheets (SDS)— also known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)— tailored to your product and compliant with the latest EU regulations. Whether you are manufacturing chemical mixtures, importing products into the EU, or distributing under a private label, a compliant SDS is legally required and essential for safe use throughout the supply chain. You will find more on the Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) Creation Service page.