PCN & UFI for In-Wash Laundry Boosters

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 Detergency Boosters and In-Wash Stain Removers

Detergency boosters and in-wash stain removers are specialized products added to laundry cycles to enhance the cleaning performance of detergents or to tackle tough stains on textiles. These products often contain powerful active agents (e.g., enzymes, bleaches, or surfactants) that may be classified as hazardous under EU regulations. If so, a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is mandatory, ensuring that poison centers can quickly access critical data such as chemical composition, hazard classification, and safe handling advice in case of accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that precisely links a hazardous product to its chemical makeup. For detergency boosters and in-wash stain removers deemed hazardous, the UFI should be on the label, typically near hazard symbols or risk/precaution statements. In the event of an incident, poison centers use this code to identify the specific formulation quickly and advise on the correct medical or first-aid measures.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a compulsory submission under EU law for hazardous chemical mixtures. By submitting a PCN for these laundry additives, manufacturers and distributors provide poison centers with details on the product’s components, classification, recommended first aid, and usage guidelines. This information allows healthcare professionals to respond promptly and accurately to accidental exposures.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation harmonizes how chemicals are classified and labeled throughout EU member states. If a detergency booster or in-wash stain remover meets hazardous criteria, its label must include hazard symbols, risk statements, and the UFI. This labeling helps users recognize potential risks and implement safe handling practices, whether the products are used domestically or professionally.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a collective network of national poison centers dedicated to providing emergency advice and treatment in chemical exposure incidents. When detergency boosters and in-wash stain removers are registered through a PCN, these centers can immediately retrieve product information—enabling them to offer precise and timely guidance if an accidental exposure arises.

Why is This Needed?

Detergency boosters and in-wash stain removers may contain potent chemicals that enhance stain removal or detergent performance. While effective, these chemicals can irritate skin or eyes, or pose health risks if swallowed or inhaled. A PCN ensures poison centers have direct access to comprehensive safety data, reducing risks for consumers and emergency responders alike and helping maintain regulatory compliance across the EU.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

Since January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture—including detergency boosters and in-wash stain removers—must be notified through a PCN, as mandated by EU CLP regulations. This measure upholds standardized safety practices and emergency response protocols throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all detergency boosters and in-wash stain removers require a PCN?

Answer: Only those products classified as hazardous under CLP regulations are subject to a PCN. Products without hazardous classifications do not need to be registered.

Question: Where should I locate the UFI on the product label?

Answer: The UFI should be printed near any hazard warnings or safety instructions on the label, ensuring easy identification in case of an emergency.

Question: What information does a PCN submission typically contain?

Answer: A PCN includes the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, first-aid recommendations, usage guidelines, and packaging details, enabling poison centers to respond effectively during exposure incidents.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: Typically, the product’s manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous mixture on the EU market must submit the PCN.

Question: What are the consequences of not submitting a PCN for a hazardous product?

Answer: Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, fines, or product recalls until the product fulfills PCN obligations under EU regulations.

Question: Are professional-use boosters and stain removers also included?

Answer: Yes. If classified as hazardous, the same PCN and CLP requirements apply regardless of whether the product is intended for household or professional use.

Question: When did these PCN requirements come into effect?

Answer: The regulations have been in force since January 1, 2021, under EU CLP rules for all 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.