PCN & UFI for Construction Chemicals

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 Construction Chemicals

Construction chemicals, which include additives and products added to or applied on construction materials (such as concrete and mortar) at the construction site, can significantly enhance the performance and functionality of these materials. Examples include chemical admixtures (e.g., polycarboxylates, cellulose ethers), modified mineral mortar systems (e.g., repair mortars, renders), sealing and bonding agents (e.g., polymer dispersions, epoxy resins, polyurethanes), and protective solutions (e.g., hydrophobing agents, reactive resins, membranes for waterproofing). While these products offer improved workability, protection, and specialty features, many contain hazardous components. Under EU regulations, if a construction chemical is classified as hazardous, it requires a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). By submitting a PCN, manufacturers and distributors enable poison centers to access the product’s detailed chemical composition, hazard classification, and recommended safety measures, ensuring an effective emergency response in case of accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that uniquely links a hazardous product to its chemical formulation. For construction chemicals, this code must be displayed on the product label, typically near hazard symbols or safety instructions. In an emergency, poison centers use the UFI to quickly reference the exact product composition, helping them provide precise medical or first-aid recommendations.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission for hazardous chemical mixtures placed on the EU market. By filing a PCN, manufacturers or distributors of construction chemicals share essential product data—such as composition, packaging, intended use, and first-aid measures—with poison centers. This allows healthcare professionals to respond rapidly and accurately to exposure incidents on construction sites or elsewhere.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. Construction chemicals deemed hazardous under CLP regulations must display the proper hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on their labels. This standardized labeling informs users of potential risks and promotes safe handling practices.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a collective network of national poison centers tasked with offering medical advice and emergency assistance when chemical exposures occur. By submitting a PCN for hazardous construction chemicals, companies provide poison centers with the knowledge needed to deliver accurate and expedient care if an accident happens, ensuring both worker and public safety.

Why Is This Needed?

Construction chemicals often include reactive resins, solvents, or other substances that pose health risks if improperly handled. A PCN ensures poison centers can instantly retrieve the product’s critical information (e.g., chemical makeup, hazards, and rescue measures). This leads to swift, targeted interventions and helps maintain compliance with EU safety standards.

Since When Is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, under the EU’s CLP regulation, any hazardous chemical mixture, including construction chemicals, must be registered via a PCN. This requirement enforces consistent safety protocols and emergency responses throughout all EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all construction chemicals require a PCN?

Answer: Only those construction chemicals classified as hazardous under CLP regulations are subject to PCN registration. Products deemed non-hazardous do not require it.

Question: Where should I place the UFI on the product label?

Answer: The UFI is typically displayed near hazard symbols or precautionary statements, ensuring quick access to essential data if an incident arises.

Question: What information is included in a PCN for construction chemicals?

Answer: A PCN submission covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage instructions, packaging, and first-aid measures, enabling poison centers to respond effectively to incidents.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN for these chemicals?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market must file the PCN. This ensures emergency responders have all necessary safety data.

Question: What are the penalties for failing to submit a PCN for a hazardous construction chemical?

Answer: Non-compliance can lead to legal actions, fines, or the removal of the product from the EU market until the PCN obligations are met.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory?

Answer: The requirement went into effect on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation, ensuring consistent safety 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.