PCN & UFI for End-Use Chemical 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 Products Used in Mining, Oil, or Gas Exploration Processes

Products used in mining, oil, or gas exploration processes, excluding production products like raw materials, can pose significant risks due to their hazardous chemical properties. These products are often used in drilling, exploration, and refining processes, and ensuring their safety is critical for preventing accidents or exposure. In the European Union, such products require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) to ensure they are properly regulated and that poison centers have access to essential safety information in case of emergencies.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links the composition of a product, such as those used in mining, oil, or gas exploration, to its PCN. It must be included on the product label to enable poison centers to quickly identify the product during emergencies and provide accurate guidance on handling incidents involving exposure to hazardous chemicals.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a submission to the Poison Centres that includes detailed product information such as chemical composition, hazard classification, and intended use. This ensures that emergency responders have access to critical data in case of accidental exposure or incidents. For products used in mining, oil, or gas exploration, the PCN provides essential information that supports safe handling and emergency response procedures.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation ensures that hazardous substances, including those used in mining, oil, or gas exploration, are classified, labeled, and packaged in a way that communicates potential hazards. This regulation requires companies to include hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on product labels to inform users of the risks and to ensure safety when handling such chemicals.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national organizations responsible for handling cases of chemical exposure and poisoning. They rely on the data submitted through PCNs to provide accurate, rapid medical advice during emergencies, ensuring proper treatment and response to hazardous exposure. By submitting a PCN, companies enable poison centers to access essential safety data during incidents involving mining, oil, or gas exploration products.

Why is This Needed?

Products used in mining, oil, or gas exploration can contain chemicals that are hazardous to human health or the environment. In case of an emergency, having the product’s information readily available allows poison centers to respond quickly and effectively. A PCN ensures that critical data, including chemical composition and safety measures, is accessible to emergency responders, enhancing public safety and minimizing the risks associated with exposure to such chemicals.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

The obligation to submit a Poison Centre Notification for hazardous mixtures, including those used in mining, oil, or gas exploration, became mandatory on January 1, 2021, under Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation. This requirement helps ensure that poison centers have access to detailed product data for effective emergency management and public health protection.

FAQ

Question: Do all products used in mining, oil, or gas exploration require a PCN?

Answer: No, only products classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation require a PCN. If the product contains hazardous substances, a PCN must be submitted to the Poison Centres.

Question: What information is required for a PCN submission?

Answer: A PCN submission requires information about the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, intended use, and packaging. The UFI must also be included as part of the product label to ensure quick identification in emergencies.

Question: Where must the UFI be displayed?

Answer: The UFI must be clearly visible on the product label, typically alongside hazard symbols and precautionary information, to allow for quick identification by poison centers during emergencies.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting a PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or downstream user placing the product on the EU market is responsible for submitting the PCN to the Poison Centres.

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

Answer: Non-compliance with PCN regulations can result in fines, product recalls, or restrictions on the sale of the product in the EU market. It is crucial to submit a PCN to avoid penalties and ensure proper regulatory compliance.

Question: Are raw materials used in mining, oil, or gas exploration exempt from PCN requirements?

Answer: Yes, raw materials that are not intended for use as finished products or chemical mixtures are generally exempt from PCN requirements. However, products containing hazardous mixtures used in the exploration processes must submit a PCN.

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.