PCN & UFI for Laundry Detergents & Conditioners

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 Laundry Detergents

Laundry detergents, whether used in household washing machines, launderettes, common laundries, or industrial washing machines, often contain chemicals such as surfactants, enzymes, and fragrances that may be classified as hazardous under EU regulations. If a laundry detergent meets these hazard criteria, a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is mandatory. This notification ensures that poison centers have swift access to the product’s essential data—like its chemical composition, hazard classification, and first-aid measures—enabling faster, more accurate assistance when exposure incidents occur.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links a hazardous product to its exact chemical formulation. For laundry detergents deemed hazardous, the UFI must be placed on the product label, often near any hazard symbols or safety warnings. In an emergency, poison centers reference this UFI to determine the precise composition of the detergent and provide appropriate medical or first-aid guidance.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a legally required submission under EU law for hazardous chemical mixtures. By registering a hazardous laundry detergent with a PCN, manufacturers and distributors furnish poison centers with critical information, including composition, classification, packaging details, and recommended first aid measures. Healthcare professionals rely on this data for rapid, accurate interventions during exposure incidents.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation harmonizes how chemicals are classified and labeled within EU member states. Laundry detergents that meet certain hazard thresholds must carry appropriate hazard symbols, risk/precaution statements, and the UFI on their labels. This labeling framework ensures that users and emergency responders can identify potential risks and adhere to safe handling practices.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a collective network of national poison centers tasked with offering immediate guidance and medical assistance in cases of chemical exposure. By submitting a PCN for your laundry detergent, you ensure these centers can promptly retrieve the necessary safety and composition data, expediting medical response and improving outcomes if an incident arises.

Why is This Needed?

Laundry detergents often incorporate substances like enzymes, bleaches, or surfactants that can irritate skin, eyes, or, if ingested, cause harmful reactions. A PCN ensures poison centers can instantly access the product’s detailed safety information, reducing the likelihood of severe consequences and bolstering EU safety regulations and standards.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

Since January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture, including certain laundry detergents, must be registered via a PCN under EU CLP regulations. This standardization of safety protocols helps safeguard users and emergency personnel throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all laundry detergents require a PCN?

Answer: Only those classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation need a PCN. Non-hazardous detergents are exempt from this requirement.

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

Answer: The UFI is typically printed near any hazard statements or warning symbols, ensuring quick identification for poison centers during emergencies.

Question: What details must be included in a PCN for laundry detergents?

Answer: A PCN submission covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging data, first-aid recommendations, and usage guidelines. This allows poison centers to respond effectively in exposure incidents.

Question: Are professional or industrial laundry detergents also subject to these regulations?

Answer: Yes, if a detergent is classified as hazardous, it must comply with PCN and CLP requirements whether it is for household, professional, or industrial use.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market must file the PCN for hazardous detergents.

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

Answer: Non-compliance may lead to legal penalties, including fines, product recalls, or the restriction of selling the detergent within the EU until the PCN obligations are satisfied.

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

Answer: The requirement has been in effect since January 1, 2021, as part of 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.