PCN & UFI for Dishwashing Rinse Aids

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 Rinse Agents for Dishes

Rinse agents for dishes, formulated to enhance the rinsing process and prevent filming or spotting on dishware, can contain surfactants, anti-foaming agents, or other chemicals that may be deemed hazardous under EU regulations. If a rinse agent meets the EU’s hazardous classification criteria, it must undergo a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). Submitting a PCN enables poison centers to quickly access critical details—such as the product’s composition, hazard rating, and recommended first-aid measures—ensuring rapid, accurate intervention if an accidental exposure or misuse occurs.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that connects a hazardous product to its precise chemical makeup. For rinse agents classified as hazardous, this code must appear on the label, typically near hazard symbols or safety instructions. In emergencies, poison centers rely on the UFI to identify the product’s exact composition and advise on the correct first-aid or medical steps.

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 dish rinse agents, manufacturers or distributors furnish poison centers with essential product data—covering chemical components, hazard classification, packaging details, and recommended safety measures. This resource is vital for healthcare professionals to respond effectively to accidental ingestion, contact, or inhalation incidents.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. If rinse agents for dishes are deemed hazardous, they must carry hazard symbols, risk/precaution statements, and the UFI on the product label. This labeling helps users and emergency responders identify potential hazards and practice safe handling.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers dedicated to providing urgent medical support and guidance in situations of chemical exposure. Submitting a PCN for hazardous rinse agents ensures these centers can retrieve all relevant safety data promptly, improving the speed and accuracy of emergency interventions should an exposure occur.

Why is This Needed?

Dish rinse agents commonly include chemicals that enhance drying and reduce spotting on dishes. However, these chemicals can irritate skin or eyes, or cause other harm if ingested or misused. A PCN ensures poison centers have immediate access to the product’s hazard profile, minimizing risks to consumers and aligning with EU standards on chemical safety.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture—including rinse agents for dishes—must be registered via a Poison Centre Notification, in compliance with EU CLP regulations. This measure helps uphold uniform safety guidelines and emergency response procedures across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all rinse agents for dishes require a PCN?

Answer: Only rinse agents classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation must submit a PCN. Non-hazardous products do not require this notification.

Question: Where can the UFI be found on a rinse agent’s label?

Answer: The UFI is generally placed near hazard symbols or safety warnings, ensuring poison centers and responders can easily identify it in an emergency.

Question: What information is included in a PCN submission for rinse agents?

Answer: A PCN submission typically details the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging format, usage instructions, and recommended first-aid procedures. This comprehensive data supports effective responses to accidental exposures.

Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?

Answer: The product’s manufacturer, importer, or distributor is obligated to file the PCN if the rinse agent is classified as hazardous under CLP regulations.

Question: What are the penalties for not submitting a PCN when required?

Answer: Non-compliance may result in fines, legal penalties, or product recalls until the PCN obligations are met, preventing sales within EU member states.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory?

Answer: The requirement has been in effect since January 1, 2021, per the EU CLP regulation on 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.