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 Detergents and Auxiliaries for Laundry and Dishwashing
Detergents and auxiliaries for laundry and dishwashing, excluding biocidal products, are formulations containing soaps, surfactants, or other cleaning agents. These products, which may come in various physical forms (e.g., liquids, powders, pastes, bars), are used in household, professional, or industrial settings to cleanse and sanitize fabrics, dishes, and utensils. If any such product is classified as hazardous under EU regulations, it must undergo a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). This ensures poison centers have immediate access to the product’s chemical details, hazard classifications, and safe handling guidelines, speeding up their ability to provide accurate advice in cases of accidental exposure.
What is a UFI?
The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that ties a hazardous detergent or auxiliary product to its exact chemical formulation. If a detergent mixture meets hazard criteria, the UFI must be displayed on the product label, generally near any hazard or safety statements. In an emergency, poison centers use this code to pinpoint the product’s composition swiftly and guide proper medical or first-aid measures.
What is a PCN?
A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory registration process for hazardous chemical mixtures under EU law. Submitting a PCN for detergents or cleaning auxiliaries provides poison centers with essential product details—covering the chemical composition, risk classification, packaging, usage instructions, and recommended first aid. This data is critical for healthcare professionals to respond effectively to exposure incidents.
What is CLP?
The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes the classification and labeling of chemicals across EU member states. Detergent and auxiliary products deemed hazardous must feature appropriate hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on their labels. This labeling ensures users are informed of potential risks and handle the products responsibly.
What is the Poison Centre?
The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers tasked with offering prompt guidance and medical assistance when chemical exposures occur. By registering hazardous detergent products through a PCN, manufacturers and distributors allow these centers to rapidly retrieve the product’s safety data and recommend accurate interventions in emergencies.
Why is This Needed?
Detergents and cleaning auxiliaries can incorporate strong surfactants or other active substances which may be hazardous if accidentally ingested, inhaled, or exposed to skin/eyes. Submitting a PCN ensures poison centers have instant access to detailed composition and hazard information, enabling faster, more targeted responses to exposure situations. This compliance also upholds EU safety regulations and protects both consumers and professionals.
Since When is This by Law Obligatory?
As of January 1, 2021, all hazardous chemical mixtures, including detergents and auxiliaries for laundry and dishwashing, must be registered via a Poison Centre Notification under EU CLP regulations. This measure fosters consistent safety and emergency procedures throughout EU member states.
FAQ
Question: Do all detergent and auxiliary products require a PCN?
Answer: Only products classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation require a PCN. Non-hazardous products do not need registration.
Question: Where should the UFI be placed on detergent packaging?
Answer: The UFI is typically printed near any hazard symbols or safety precautions on the label, ensuring swift recognition in emergencies.
Question: What information must a PCN submission include for these products?
Answer: A PCN covers details such as the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, recommended first aid, packaging, and usage instructions, enabling poison centers to respond accurately during exposure incidents.
Question: Does this requirement apply to professional or industrial detergents?
Answer: Yes. If the product is classified as hazardous, it must adhere to PCN obligations whether intended for consumer, professional, or industrial use.
Question: What are the penalties for not submitting a PCN for a hazardous product?
Answer: Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, including fines, product recalls, or restrictions on selling the product within the EU until the PCN is filed.
Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?
Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market is typically responsible for filing the PCN if the product meets hazard criteria.
Question: When did PCN requirements for hazardous products become mandatory?
Answer: The requirement has been in force since January 1, 2021, aligned with the EU CLP regulation for hazardous chemical mixtures.
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.
