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 Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners are added during or after the washing process to enhance the feel of fabrics, making them softer and easier to iron. These products can contain chemical agents such as surfactants, fragrances, or conditioners that may be hazardous under certain conditions. If a fabric softener meets the criteria for hazardous classification as per EU regulations, a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is required. By submitting a PCN, manufacturers ensure that poison centers have immediate access to critical product information, including chemical composition, hazard classification, and first-aid recommendations, enabling a prompt and accurate response if accidental exposure occurs.
What is a UFI?
The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links a product classified as hazardous to its exact chemical formulation. For fabric softeners deemed hazardous, this UFI must be displayed on the product label, typically near hazard symbols or precautionary statements. If an accidental exposure incident arises, poison centers utilize this code to identify the product rapidly and advise on the best course of medical treatment or first aid.
What is a PCN?
A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a legally required submission under EU regulations for hazardous chemical mixtures. Filing a PCN for a fabric softener ensures that poison centers receive the essential details about the product—its chemical composition, hazard classification, usage instructions, and recommended first-aid measures. This knowledge is indispensable for healthcare professionals to provide swift and effective care in emergencies.
What is CLP?
The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. Fabric softeners that meet hazardous criteria must include hazard symbols, risk/precautionary statements, and the UFI on their labels. This labeling framework alerts users to potential dangers and promotes safe handling practices.
What is the Poison Centre?
The Poison Centre is a collective network of national poison centers that offers rapid medical advice in chemical exposure events. By registering hazardous fabric softeners through a PCN, manufacturers and importers enable these centers to quickly retrieve the product’s details, ensuring accurate and timely interventions during accidental exposures.
Why is This Needed?
Although fabric softeners are typically used to improve the tactile qualities of fabrics, some formulations may contain surfactants or other chemicals capable of causing skin, eye, or respiratory irritation. A PCN guarantees poison centers have direct access to the necessary safety data, thus minimizing health risks for both consumers and emergency responders.
Since When is This by Law Obligatory?
Since January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture—including certain fabric softeners—must be registered via a PCN in line with the EU’s CLP regulation. This ensures consistent emergency response protocols and safety measures throughout EU member states.
FAQ
Question: Do all fabric softeners require a PCN?
Answer: Only those classified as hazardous under CLP regulations require a PCN. Products not deemed hazardous are exempt from this obligation.
Question: Where should I place the UFI on the label?
Answer: The UFI is commonly situated near any hazard warnings or safety instructions on the product label, allowing poison centers and emergency responders to identify it quickly if needed.
Question: What information is included in a PCN for fabric softeners?
Answer: A PCN submission covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging details, usage instructions, and recommended first-aid measures, enabling effective responses to exposure incidents.
Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?
Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market must handle the PCN if it meets the CLP hazard criteria.
Question: What happens if a PCN is not submitted for a hazardous fabric softener?
Answer: Non-compliance may result in legal penalties, including fines or product recalls, or the restriction of the product’s sale within the EU until the PCN is filed.
Question: Are professional-use fabric softeners also subject to the same regulations?
Answer: Yes, if a product is classified as hazardous under CLP, it must comply with PCN requirements regardless of whether it is intended for household or professional use.
Question: When did these PCN requirements officially come into effect?
Answer: The requirement to submit a Poison Centre Notification has been in force since January 1, 2021, aligning with EU CLP regulations 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.
