PCN & UFI for Hand Dishwashing Detergents

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 Hand Dishwashing Detergents

Hand dishwashing detergents, typically used in household and professional kitchen settings to clean dishes by hand, can contain a variety of active agents (such as surfactants, enzymes, fragrances, and dyes). These ingredients may pose health or environmental risks if the product is misused or accidentally ingested. As a result, hand dishwashing detergents meeting the EU’s hazardous criteria require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). Submitting a PCN ensures poison centers have instant access to crucial safety data—such as chemical composition, hazard classification, and first-aid instructions—so that they can provide swift, accurate assistance if an accidental exposure occurs.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that precisely links a hazardous product to its chemical formulation. For hand dishwashing detergents deemed hazardous, the UFI must appear on the product label, typically near hazard symbols or warning statements. In an emergency situation, poison centers rely on this UFI to identify the detergent’s exact composition and dispense proper medical or first-aid advice.

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 a hand dishwashing detergent, manufacturers, importers, or distributors share essential information such as the product’s chemical components, hazard classification, packaging details, and recommended safety measures. This enables healthcare professionals and first responders to address accidental exposures effectively and rapidly.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. Any hand dishwashing detergent deemed hazardous must display hazard symbols, risk/precautionary statements, and the UFI on its label. This labeling system helps users recognize potential hazards and practice safe handling procedures.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers dedicated to providing urgent medical support and advice in the event of chemical exposure. By registering a hazardous hand dishwashing detergent with a PCN, companies ensure these centers can swiftly access the product’s hazard data, thus facilitating immediate and accurate interventions if an accidental exposure occurs.

Why is This Needed?

Hand dishwashing detergents, although common in households and professional settings, can cause skin or eye irritation, and in some cases more severe health issues if ingested or mishandled. A PCN guarantees that poison centers have detailed product knowledge, reducing risk and ensuring compliance with EU safety standards.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

From January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture—including certain hand dishwashing detergents—must be registered via a PCN under EU CLP regulations. This measure enforces standardized safety requirements and efficient emergency response protocols across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all hand dishwashing detergents require a PCN?

Answer: Only products classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation need to be registered with a PCN. Non-hazardous detergents do not require notification.

Question: Where should the UFI be displayed on the label?

Answer: The UFI is commonly printed near any hazard symbols or safety instructions, ensuring poison centers can identify the product quickly during an emergency.

Question: What information must a PCN submission include for hand dishwashing detergents?

Answer: A PCN should provide the detergent’s chemical composition, hazard classification, recommended first-aid measures, packaging details, and usage instructions, supporting effective medical intervention when needed.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market must handle the PCN if the product meets hazard classification criteria.

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

Answer: Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, such as fines or product recalls, or a restriction on placing the product within the EU until PCN obligations are fulfilled.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory for hazardous products?

Answer: The requirement came into effect on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation for all hazardous chemical mixtures, including certain hand dishwashing detergents.

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.