PCN & UFI for Brake Cleaners

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 Brake Cleaners

Brake cleaners are specialized chemical products used to remove dirt, brake fluid, grease, and other contaminants from brake assemblies. Due to the presence of potentially hazardous solvents and additives, these cleaners can pose health risks if they are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with skin or eyes. Under EU regulations, brake cleaners that are classified as hazardous require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). Submitting a PCN ensures that poison centers have quick access to detailed information about the product’s formulation, hazard classification, and safety measures, enabling a rapid and effective response if an accidental exposure or misuse occurs.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links a hazardous product to its precise chemical composition. For brake cleaners deemed hazardous, the UFI must be clearly displayed on the product’s label, typically near hazard symbols or safety warnings. This code is critical for poison centers to identify the product’s composition rapidly in an emergency, allowing for accurate medical guidance.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission under EU law for hazardous chemical mixtures. By submitting a PCN for brake cleaners, manufacturers and distributors provide poison centers with detailed data on the product’s composition, classification, packaging, usage instructions, and first-aid measures. This information is vital for healthcare professionals to address exposure incidents swiftly and effectively.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation harmonizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. If a brake cleaner meets certain hazard thresholds, it must display hazard symbols, risk phrases, and the UFI on its label. This labeling framework ensures users and emergency responders can recognize potential risks and take appropriate precautions when handling the product.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers dedicated to providing medical advice and emergency assistance in chemical exposure incidents. When brake cleaners are registered via a PCN, these centers can quickly retrieve safety data and composition details, ensuring prompt, targeted interventions if accidental exposures occur.

Why is This Needed?

Brake cleaners often contain solvents and additives that can be harmful if used incorrectly. A PCN allows poison centers to access critical product information, guiding proper first-aid and medical responses if someone inhales, ingests, or comes into contact with these substances. This requirement underpins EU safety regulations and protects both consumers and professionals working with automotive chemicals.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical product—including certain brake cleaners—must be registered via a Poison Centre Notification in accordance with EU CLP regulations. This measure enhances consistency in safety standards and emergency responses throughout the EU.

FAQ

Question: Do all brake cleaners need a PCN?

Answer: Only brake cleaners classified as hazardous under CLP regulations require a PCN. Non-hazardous products do not need registration.

Question: Where should the UFI be placed on the label?

Answer: The UFI is typically displayed near hazard symbols or safety statements on the product label, ensuring swift identification during emergencies.

Question: What information is required in a PCN for brake cleaners?

Answer: A PCN submission should include the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, recommended first-aid measures, packaging details, and usage instructions.

Question: Are professional-use brake cleaners also subject to PCN requirements?

Answer: Yes. Whether intended for consumer or professional use, if a brake cleaner is classified as hazardous, it must comply with PCN and CLP obligations.

Question: What happens if a PCN is not submitted for a hazardous brake cleaner?

Answer: Non-compliance can result in fines, product recalls, or restrictions on placing the product on the EU market until the PCN requirements are met.

Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market is in charge of filing the PCN if it meets the hazard classification criteria.

Question: When did the PCN requirement come into effect?

Answer: The PCN requirement for hazardous chemical products took effect on January 1, 2021, as per the EU CLP regulation.

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.