PCN & UFI for Cement Products

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 Cement

Cement, a hydraulic binder made of finely ground inorganic materials, reacts with water to form a paste that sets and hardens via hydration processes. Because cement can contain hazardous components (such as calcium oxide or chromium compounds), any cement product deemed hazardous under the EU’s CLP regulation requires a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). Filing a PCN ensures that poison centers have immediate access to critical product information—like chemical composition, hazard classification, and recommended first-aid measures—enabling swift and effective support in the event of an 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 cement products classified as hazardous, this code must be displayed on the label, typically near hazard statements or safety instructions. In an emergency, poison centers rely on the UFI to quickly identify the product’s precise composition and deliver accurate medical advice or 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 cement, manufacturers or distributors provide poison centers with detailed product data, including chemical ingredients, classification, packaging, and recommended first-aid measures. This information allows healthcare professionals to respond effectively and promptly to incidents of accidental contact or ingestion.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation ensures that all chemicals within the EU are consistently classified, labeled, and packaged according to their hazards. If cement is classified as hazardous, the label must display hazard symbols, risk/precautionary statements, and the UFI. This labeling scheme communicates potential risks to users and professionals, promoting safe handling and storage.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a cooperative network of national poison centers across member states. Its role is to provide expert guidance during chemical exposure emergencies. By registering a hazardous cement product via a PCN, manufacturers guarantee that poison centers can quickly retrieve the product’s formulation and hazard data, enabling healthcare staff to administer precise care in time-sensitive situations.

Why is This Needed?

Cement can cause skin irritation, respiratory issues, or eye damage if misused or accidentally ingested or inhaled. Submitting a PCN ensures that poison centers have immediate access to vital safety information, minimizing health risks for workers, end-users, and emergency responders alike.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical product, including certain cements, must be registered with the Poison Centre via a PCN. This measure helps harmonize emergency responses and supports high standards of consumer and worker safety across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all cements require a PCN?

Answer: Only cement products classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need a PCN. If a cement mixture is not deemed hazardous, it is exempt from this requirement.

Question: Where do I place the UFI on cement packaging?

Answer: The UFI is typically located near any hazard symbols or safety warnings on the label, enabling poison centers and users to find it quickly in emergencies.

Question: What data is included in a PCN for cement?

Answer: A PCN submission provides details such as the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging format, and recommended first-aid measures, ensuring comprehensive safety information is on file.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: The obligation generally lies with the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the cement product on the EU market if it meets the CLP hazard criteria.

Question: What are the consequences of failing to submit a PCN for hazardous cement?

Answer: Non-compliance can lead to legal penalties, fines, and restrictions on placing the product within the EU. The product may be recalled or prevented from sale until requirements are met.

Question: Are professional or industrial cements also subject to these regulations?

Answer: Yes, if a cement product is classified as hazardous, it must comply with PCN rules, regardless of whether it is used professionally, industrially, or by consumers.

Question: When did the PCN requirement take effect?

Answer: The PCN requirement for hazardous chemical mixtures was enforced on January 1, 2021, in alignment with 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.