PCN & UFI for Auxiliary Artists’ Materials

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.

Registering Auxiliary Materials for Artists with the Poison Centre

Auxiliary materials for artists, such as oils, solvents, thinners, special effect agents, tinting mediums, drying gels, fixatives, and varnishes, play an essential role in the creative process. However, these materials often contain chemicals that can pose health risks if misused, especially if they come into contact with the skin, are inhaled, or are ingested. To ensure the safety of both professionals and consumers, these products must be registered with the Poison Centre. A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is required to provide emergency responders with essential safety information should an incident occur.

What is a UFI?

A UFI (Unique Formula Identifier) is an alphanumeric code that identifies the specific formulation of a product. For auxiliary materials used by artists, the UFI provides a clear and unique way to identify the product in case of emergency exposure. This code allows healthcare professionals to rapidly access the product’s safety data, which can be vital for treating accidental exposure to the chemicals contained within the product.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a legally required report submitted to the Poison Centre, detailing the composition, hazards, and emergency handling procedures for a product. For auxiliary artist materials like oils, solvents, and varnishes, the PCN ensures that accurate safety information is available in case of emergency. This information helps emergency responders provide quick and effective treatment, minimizing harm in case of accidental exposure.

What is CLP?

CLP (Classification, Labelling, and Packaging) is a European regulation that requires products, including auxiliary materials for artists, to be classified according to their potential hazards. This regulation mandates that products like solvents and varnishes be properly labelled with hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and safety instructions to ensure that users are fully aware of any risks associated with the product. The CLP regulation helps ensure safe handling and use of these materials, especially in artistic environments where they are frequently used.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is an organization that facilitates the collection and dissemination of safety information about chemical products within the European Union. It serves as a central resource for emergency responders, providing them with vital product data to assist in the management of health risks. By registering auxiliary materials for artists with the Poison Centre, manufacturers ensure that essential safety information is readily accessible in case of an emergency, which can be crucial for effective treatment.

Why is This Needed?

Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is necessary for auxiliary materials used in the artistic process to ensure that essential safety information is accessible to medical professionals in the event of accidental exposure or ingestion. These materials often contain hazardous substances such as solvents and thinners, which can cause health issues if not handled properly. Registering these materials helps safeguard the health of users and ensures that emergency responders have quick access to detailed safety data.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

Since January 1, 2021, it has been mandatory for manufacturers of hazardous chemical products, including auxiliary materials for artists, to submit a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) to the EU. This regulation is part of the European Union’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safe use of chemicals and protect public health.

FAQ

Question: Do auxiliary materials for artists need to be registered with the Poison Centre?

Answer: Yes, auxiliary materials for artists, such as oils, solvents, thinners, varnishes, and special effect agents, must be registered with the Poison Centre if they contain hazardous substances. This ensures that emergency responders have access to vital safety information in case of accidental exposure.

Question: What is the purpose of the UFI for auxiliary artist materials?

Answer: The UFI (Unique Formula Identifier) is a unique code that identifies the specific formulation of an auxiliary material for artists. It ensures that emergency responders can quickly find the product’s safety information in the event of an emergency, improving the speed and accuracy of treatment.

Question: Why is a PCN required for auxiliary materials for artists?

Answer: A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) provides emergency responders with essential safety data, such as the chemical composition, hazards, and first-aid measures for a product. This ensures that the appropriate medical response can be made in case of exposure to harmful substances in the product.

Question: How does CLP apply to auxiliary materials for artists?

Answer: The CLP regulation requires auxiliary materials like paints, solvents, and varnishes to be classified based on their hazards, labelled with safety information, and packaged accordingly. This ensures that users are informed of any risks and are able to handle the products safely.

Question: When did it become mandatory to submit a PCN for auxiliary artist materials?

Answer: Since January 1, 2021, it has been mandatory for manufacturers of hazardous chemical products, including auxiliary materials for artists, to submit a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) to the EU. This regulation helps improve chemical safety and public health protection across the European Union.

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.