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:
| Belgium | (BE) | Spain | (ES) | Hungary | (HU) | Slovakia | (SK) |
| Bulgaria | (BG) | France | (FR) | Malta | (MT) | Finland | (FI) |
| Czechia | (CZ) | Croatia | (HR) | Netherlands | (NL) | Sweden | (SE) |
| Denmark | (DK) | Italy | (IT) | Austria | (AT) | Germany | (DE) |
| Cyprus | (CY) | Poland | (PL) | Iceland | (IS) | Estonia | (EE) |
| Latvia | (LV) | Portugal | (PT) | Liechtenstein | (LI) | Ireland | (IE) |
| Lithuania | (LT) | Romania | (RO) | Norway | (NO) | Greece | (EL) |
| Luxembourg | (LU) | Slovenia | (SI) | Switzerland* | (CH) |
*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 Washing Machine Care Agents
Washing machine care agents, which are designed to clean and maintain the internal parts of washing machines (e.g., removing limescale or residue), can contain chemicals such as acids, surfactants, or other active ingredients that may be classified as hazardous under EU regulations. If these products meet the criteria for hazard classification, they require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). By submitting a PCN, manufacturers and distributors ensure that poison centers can rapidly access vital safety data—such as the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, and first-aid recommendations—thereby enabling fast, accurate medical advice in the event of accidental exposure or misuse.
What is a UFI?
The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code used to link a hazardous product to its exact chemical formulation. For washing machine care agents deemed hazardous, the UFI must be displayed on the product label, generally near any hazard symbols or cautionary statements. In emergencies, poison centers utilize this code to pinpoint the product’s composition quickly, advising on correct first-aid or treatment measures.
What is a PCN?
A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a compulsory submission under EU law for any chemical mixture classified as hazardous. Submitting a PCN for a washing machine care agent provides poison centers with critical details—covering the product’s chemical makeup, hazard classification, packaging details, and safe usage instructions. This information equips medical professionals and emergency responders to address exposure incidents effectively and promptly.
What is CLP?
The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation establishes a standardized framework for identifying and communicating chemical hazards across EU member states. Washing machine care agents that meet hazardous classification thresholds must display hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on the label. This labeling practice alerts users to potential risks and guides them toward safe handling procedures.
What is the Poison Centre?
The Poison Centre is a coordinated network of national poison centers dedicated to providing urgent advice and treatment recommendations during chemical exposure events. By registering a hazardous washing machine care agent via a PCN, manufacturers ensure that these centers can instantly retrieve essential product data, leading to more accurate and rapid emergency responses.
Why is This Needed?
Washing machine care agents can contain strong cleaning substances or anti-limescale components that may cause harm if inhaled, ingested, or if they come into contact with skin or eyes. A PCN guarantees that poison centers have quick, comprehensive access to chemical and safety information, minimizing risks and ensuring compliance with EU safety regulations. (Note: This does not apply to products designed solely for deodorizing, which are regulated under “Ambient deodorisers.”)
Since When is This by Law Obligatory?
As of January 1, 2021, all hazardous chemical mixtures, including certain washing machine care agents, must comply with Poison Centre Notification requirements under the EU CLP regulation. This promotes standardized emergency response protocols across EU member states.
FAQ
Question: Do all washing machine care agents require a PCN?
Answer: Only those classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need a PCN. Products without hazardous components do not require registration.
Question: Where is the UFI typically displayed on the product?
Answer: The UFI is typically printed near hazard symbols or safety statements on the product label, making it easy for poison centers to locate during an emergency.
Question: What does a PCN submission involve for washing machine care agents?
Answer: A PCN covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage instructions, packaging information, and recommended first aid measures, aiding in swift and accurate responses to exposure incidents.
Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?
Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market is generally responsible for PCN submission.
Question: What are the implications of not submitting a PCN if required?
Answer: Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, such as fines or product recalls, or a suspension of sales within the EU until PCN requirements are met.
Question: When did PCN requirements become mandatory for hazardous products?
Answer: The requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, under EU CLP regulations, ensuring consistent safety measures and emergency responses across member states.
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.
