PCN & UFI for Metal Working Fluids

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 Working Fluids

Metal working fluids are essential for the manufacturing and machining processes, as they help to cool, lubricate, and prevent corrosion of metal parts. These fluids can include oils, emulsions, and pastes that are used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery. Due to the potential hazards associated with metal working fluids, they must be registered with the Poison Centre through a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) to ensure that poison centers can access critical safety information in case of accidental exposure or misuse.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the chemical composition of a product, such as metal working fluids. The UFI is required to be displayed on the product label to make it easier for poison centers and emergency responders to quickly identify the substance in case of an emergency.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a submission required by EU law, where detailed product information is submitted to the Poison Centres. For metal working fluids, this includes data about the chemical composition, hazard classification, intended use, and packaging. This ensures that poison centers are equipped with accurate and complete information to provide effective medical advice in case of exposure.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation requires that hazardous substances and mixtures be classified according to their health, environmental, and physical hazards. For metal working fluids, this regulation ensures that appropriate hazard symbols, warning labels, and precautionary statements are applied to alert users to the risks associated with the product.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national organizations that handle cases of poisoning and chemical exposure. They play a critical role in providing timely and accurate information during emergencies. With access to data submitted in the PCN, they are able to respond quickly and offer guidance regarding the risks and treatment for exposure to hazardous substances, including metal working fluids.

Why is This Needed?

Metal working fluids often contain chemicals that can pose significant health risks if mishandled or exposed to humans. A PCN ensures that poison centers have the necessary data to respond effectively during an emergency, protecting public health and safety. It is important to have accurate information available to manage accidental exposure and prevent potential harm.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

The requirement for submitting a PCN for hazardous mixtures, including metal working fluids, became mandatory under Annex VIII of the CLP regulation on January 1, 2021.

FAQ

Question: Do all metal working fluids require a PCN?

Answer: No, only those metal working fluids that are classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation require a PCN submission.

Question: What kind of information is needed for the PCN submission for metal working fluids?

Answer: The PCN submission for metal working fluids requires information about the chemical composition, classification, intended use, packaging, and the Unique Formula Identifier (UFI).

Question: Where should the UFI be displayed on the metal working fluid packaging?

Answer: The UFI should be clearly displayed on the product label, along with other hazard information, to ensure it is easily accessible during emergencies.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN for metal working fluids?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or downstream user placing the metal working fluid on the EU market is responsible for submitting the PCN.

Question: What are the consequences of not submitting a PCN for metal working fluids?

Answer: Non-compliance with the PCN requirement can result in penalties, product recalls, or restrictions on the sale of the product within the EU.

Question: Are there any exemptions for specific types of metal working fluids?

Answer: Some metal working fluids that are not classified as hazardous may be exempt from the PCN requirement, but it is important to verify whether the product is hazardous under the CLP regulation.

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.