PCN & UFI for Lacquers, Polishes & Waxes

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 Exterior Care Products (All Vehicle Types)

Exterior care products for vehicles, including lacquers, polishes, waxes, and similar formulations, often contain chemical agents designed to protect and enhance the finish of cars, motorcycles, boats, or other vehicles. These chemicals can pose potential health or environmental risks if mishandled or used incorrectly. Under EU regulations, any exterior care products classified as hazardous require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) to ensure poison centers have ready access to detailed safety information, helping them respond effectively in emergencies.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that ties a hazardous product to its specific chemical formulation. For polishes, waxes, lacquers, or other exterior care products, the UFI must be clearly displayed on the product label, typically near any hazard symbols or warning statements. If an emergency arises, poison centers use this code to identify the exact formulation and provide targeted medical advice.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission under EU law for hazardous chemical mixtures. When a PCN is filed for exterior care products, manufacturers and distributors provide poison centers with essential data on the product’s composition, risk classifications, packaging, and recommended first-aid measures. This comprehensive information enables medical professionals to respond swiftly and accurately in accidental exposure scenarios.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemical hazards are identified and communicated across EU member states. If an exterior care product is deemed hazardous, it must include hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on its label. This labeling helps consumers and professionals alike recognize potential risks and handle the product safely.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a collaborative network of national poison centers that offers guidance and medical assistance in chemical exposure incidents. By registering hazardous vehicle exterior care products through a PCN, manufacturers ensure these centers can quickly retrieve the product’s composition and hazard data, thus facilitating precise interventions during emergencies.

Why Is This Needed?

Vehicle lacquers, polishes, and waxes may include chemicals that can cause respiratory issues, skin or eye irritation, or other health concerns if misused. Submitting a PCN guarantees that poison centers have detailed product information readily available, reducing risks to users by enabling immediate medical guidance when exposure occurs.

Since When Is This by Law Obligatory?

Since January 1, 2021, all hazardous chemical mixtures have been required to undergo a PCN according to EU CLP regulations. This requirement extends to vehicle exterior care products such as polishes, waxes, and lacquers, ensuring uniform safety measures and effective responses across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all lacquers, polishes, and waxes need a PCN?

Answer: Only those classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation require a PCN. Non-hazardous products do not need registration.

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

Answer: The UFI must be located near hazard symbols or warning statements, allowing poison centers and emergency responders to quickly identify the product’s chemical formulation.

Question: What details must be included in a PCN for exterior care products?

Answer: A PCN submission should include information such as the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage instructions, packaging specifications, and recommended first-aid procedures.

Question: Are motorcycle or boat waxes also subject to these requirements?

Answer: Yes, if a product is classified as hazardous, it must comply with PCN and CLP regulations regardless of the vehicle type it is intended for.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market is responsible for completing the PCN submission if the product is deemed hazardous.

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

Answer: Failure to comply can lead to legal penalties, fines, or a ban on selling the product in the EU until the PCN requirement is met.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become legally binding?

Answer: The requirement has been in effect since January 1, 2021, covering any hazardous chemical mixtures under EU CLP regulations.

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.