PCN & UFI for Concrete 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 Concrete

Concrete is formed by mixing cement, coarse and fine aggregate, water, and potentially additional admixtures. As the cement in the mixture hydrates, the concrete develops strength and durability. While concrete itself is commonly seen as an inert material once it has set, it often contains chemical components—such as cement and specific additives—that can be hazardous in their fresh (unhardened) state. Under EU regulations, if a fresh concrete mixture is classified as hazardous, it requires a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). By submitting a PCN, manufacturers and distributors ensure that poison centers can access all relevant data about the mixture’s composition and potential hazards, which is crucial for providing rapid, effective medical assistance in cases of accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code used to link a hazardous product to its specific chemical formulation. For concrete mixtures deemed hazardous, the UFI must be printed on the product label or documentation, typically near safety warnings or hazard symbols. In an emergency, poison centers use this UFI to identify the precise composition of the fresh concrete mix, guiding accurate first-aid or medical treatment.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission under EU law for any hazardous chemical mixture. By registering a fresh concrete product with a PCN, manufacturers and distributors provide poison centers with essential product data—including chemical makeup, classification, and recommended first-aid measures. This speeds up healthcare providers’ ability to respond effectively if accidental contact, ingestion, or inhalation of the mixture occurs.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are identified and labeled across EU member states. If a fresh concrete mixture meets hazard classification thresholds, labels must include hazard symbols, risk/precautionary statements, and the UFI. This labeling framework helps individuals recognize and manage potential risks associated with handling fresh concrete.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers responsible for delivering medical guidance and emergency support in the event of chemical exposure. By submitting a PCN for a hazardous fresh concrete product, producers ensure that these centers can swiftly access the product’s safety profile, thereby ensuring accurate treatment recommendations in emergencies.

Why is This Needed?

Although concrete hardens into a seemingly inert material, its components in fresh form—cement, admixtures, and additives—can cause serious skin or eye irritation, chemical burns, or respiratory issues. A PCN allows poison centers immediate reference to the product’s composition, reducing health risks through prompt, focused medical guidance.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

The requirement to file a PCN for hazardous chemical mixtures, including fresh concrete, has been in force since January 1, 2021, in accordance with the EU’s CLP regulations. This ensures consistency in safety and emergency response protocols throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Does all concrete require a PCN?

Answer: Only concrete classified as hazardous—due to certain additives or admixtures—requires a PCN. If it does not meet the hazardous criteria, no PCN is needed.

Question: Where should I place the UFI for a hazardous concrete mixture?

Answer: The UFI should appear on the product label or accompanying documentation, typically near any hazard symbols or safety statements, so it’s easily identifiable during emergencies.

Question: What details must be included in a PCN for fresh concrete?

Answer: A PCN covers the mixture’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage instructions, packaging information, and recommended first-aid procedures.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN if a concrete product is hazardous?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market must file the PCN.

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

Answer: Non-compliance can result in fines, legal actions, or the restriction of product sales within the EU. The product could be recalled or blocked from the market until requirements are met.

Question: Are industrial-scale concrete producers also subject to these regulations?

Answer: Yes, if the fresh concrete mixture contains hazardous components, the same PCN obligations apply, regardless of whether the product is sold for consumer or industrial purposes.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory for hazardous mixtures?

Answer: The requirement was implemented on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation, ensuring uniform safety and emergency response measures across EU 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.