PCN & UFI for Jewellery & Metal Cleaners

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 Metal Polish/Tarnish Removers

Metal polishes and tarnish removers, including those formulated for jewelry, silverware, and other metals like brass and copper, often contain chemical agents (e.g., acids, solvents) to effectively dissolve tarnish or oxidation. Because these chemicals can be hazardous if accidentally ingested, inhaled, or come into contact with skin or eyes, these products may fall under the Poison Centre Notification (PCN) requirements if they meet the hazard classification criteria. Submitting a PCN ensures that poison centers can access critical product information, helping medical professionals respond swiftly and accurately to incidents involving exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that directly links a hazardous product to its specific chemical formulation. For metal polishes/tarnish removers, the UFI must appear on the product label, usually near the hazard symbols or safety instructions. In case of an emergency, poison centers use this code to quickly identify the product’s composition and offer appropriate guidance.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a regulatory submission required in the EU for products classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation. This submission contains detailed information about the product, including its chemical ingredients, potential hazards, and usage instructions. For metal polishes/tarnish removers, a PCN ensures that poison centers have instant access to all necessary data, enabling them to provide effective advice and medical treatment in case of accidental exposure.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how hazardous chemicals are classified and labeled across the EU. Metal polishes/tarnish removers classified as hazardous must feature clear hazard symbols, risk phrases, and precautionary statements on their labels, helping users handle the product responsibly and safely.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a collective network of national poison centers throughout the European Union. These centers offer advice and treatment recommendations during chemical exposure incidents. When a PCN is submitted for metal polish/tarnish removers, poison centers can quickly retrieve product-specific details, ensuring a more efficient and accurate response in emergencies.

Why is This Needed?

Metal polishes and tarnish removers often contain substances like acids or abrasive agents that can cause skin irritation, chemical burns, or more severe health issues if misused. A PCN ensures poison centers have comprehensive information about these products, enabling them to provide prompt and precise medical guidance to protect consumers, professionals, and first responders.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

Under EU legislation, the requirement to submit a PCN for hazardous chemical mixtures (including metal polish/tarnish removers) has been in force since January 1, 2021. This applies to products marketed for consumer, professional, or industrial use across the EU.

FAQ

Question: Do all metal polishes require a PCN?

Answer: Only those classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation need a PCN. Products that do not meet the hazard criteria are exempt.

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

Answer: The UFI must be printed on the product label, usually near the hazard or safety instructions, ensuring it can be easily spotted during emergencies.

Question: What information is included in a PCN for metal polish/tarnish removers?

Answer: A PCN contains details on the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, recommended first aid measures, packaging, and intended use.

Question: Are professional-grade metal polishes subject to the same requirements?

Answer: Yes, if a metal polish or tarnish remover is classified as hazardous, it requires a PCN, whether intended for consumer or professional use.

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

Answer: Failure to comply can result in fines, legal penalties, or restrictions on the sale of the product within the EU market.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous product on the EU market is responsible for submitting the PCN.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory?

Answer: The PCN requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation 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.