PCN & UFI for Laundry Starch Products

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 Starch

Laundry starch, used to add stiffness and crispness to fabrics, can contain chemical additives that pose health or environmental risks if improperly handled. While starch is primarily a natural substance, certain formulations may include additional agents, such as preservatives or fragrances, which could be classified as hazardous under EU regulations. If laundry starch products are deemed hazardous, a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) must be submitted to ensure poison centers can quickly access vital details—such as composition, hazard information, and recommended first-aid measures—thus enabling swift medical advice in case of accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that explicitly connects a hazardous product to its specific chemical composition. For laundry starch classified as hazardous, this UFI must appear on the product’s label, typically near any hazard or safety warnings. In an emergency, poison centers reference the UFI to identify the exact formulation and advise on the most appropriate medical or first-aid treatment.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory registration for hazardous chemical mixtures marketed within the EU. By filing a PCN for laundry starch products, manufacturers and distributors provide poison centers with vital data regarding the product’s composition, hazard classification, packaging, usage guidelines, and first-aid measures. This thorough documentation allows healthcare professionals to respond accurately if an accidental exposure incident occurs.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation unifies how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. If a laundry starch is classified as hazardous, its label must include hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI. This standardized labeling approach not only informs users of potential dangers but also helps them handle the product with the necessary care.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers providing swift medical assistance and guidance in chemical exposure scenarios. By submitting a PCN, companies guarantee that poison centers have immediate access to key safety data for a hazardous laundry starch product, enabling rapid and precise instructions for any accidental contact or misuse.

Why is This Needed?

Although starch itself is commonly perceived as harmless, certain laundry starch formulas might include chemicals capable of causing irritation or other adverse effects if ingested, inhaled, or exposed to skin and eyes. A PCN ensures that poison centers have comprehensive safety and first-aid information at their disposal, preserving consumer well-being and maintaining EU regulatory compliance.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

From January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical product, including specific laundry starch formulations, must be registered under a PCN in accordance with EU CLP regulations. This alignment ensures consistent safety measures and emergency response protocols across all EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all laundry starch products require a PCN?

Answer: Only those laundry starch formulations deemed hazardous under CLP regulations must submit a PCN. Non-hazardous products do not require registration.

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

Answer: The UFI typically appears near hazard symbols or safety instructions, ensuring poison centers can easily identify the product’s composition if an emergency arises.

Question: What information must a PCN submission include for laundry starch?

Answer: A PCN details the product’s chemical makeup, hazard classification, packaging information, recommended first-aid measures, and usage guidelines—helping poison centers respond promptly during exposure incidents.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing a hazardous laundry starch product on the EU market is typically accountable for filing the PCN.

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

Answer: Non-compliance may lead to legal actions, including fines and potential bans on marketing the product within EU member states until PCN obligations are fulfilled.

Question: Are professional-use starch products also regulated under these requirements?

Answer: Yes, if the product is classified as hazardous, it must comply with PCN regulations regardless of whether it is intended for consumer or professional use.

Question: When did the PCN requirement for hazardous products start?

Answer: The requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation, ensuring standardized safety and emergency response procedures EU-wide.

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.