PCN & UFI for Mortar 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 Mortars

Mortars encompass a broad range of cement-based mixtures, including masonry and repair mortars, plaster and renders, screeds, and cement-based adhesives. These products often contain cement, aggregates, and various additives that may present health hazards if accidentally inhaled, ingested, or allowed direct contact with skin or eyes in their fresh (unhardened) state. Under EU regulations, if these mortars are classified as hazardous, they must undergo a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). By submitting a PCN, manufacturers and distributors enable poison centers to access crucial safety data—such as chemical composition, hazard classification, and recommended first-aid measures—in the event of an accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that precisely identifies a hazardous product’s chemical formulation. For mortars that meet hazardous criteria, this code must be displayed on the product label (often near safety statements or hazard symbols). In emergency scenarios, poison centers reference the UFI to determine the product’s exact makeup, ensuring accurate and swift medical or first-aid guidance.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission under EU law for hazardous chemical mixtures. By submitting a PCN for mortars, producers and importers furnish poison centers with detailed information about the product’s composition, hazard classification, packaging details, and usage instructions. This knowledge base equips healthcare professionals and emergency responders to effectively address accidental exposures, whether due to inhalation or skin/eye contact with fresh mortar.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes chemical hazard communication across EU member states. Mortars deemed hazardous must feature appropriate hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on their labels. This labeling approach helps users understand potential risks and implement safe handling practices.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers that offer urgent advice and medical direction when chemical exposures take place. By registering mortar products (that are classified as hazardous) with a PCN, companies enable poison centers to retrieve the product’s hazard and safety data rapidly, streamlining the response to accidental contact or misuse.

Why is This Needed?

Mortars typically contain cement and other active additives that may cause skin irritation, chemical burns, or respiratory issues in their fresh state. A PCN ensures poison centers can instantly access vital safety details, reducing health risks for workers, end-users, and others who handle these materials. This also maintains compliance with EU safety regulations.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

Since January 1, 2021, the EU CLP regulation stipulates that all hazardous chemical mixtures, including certain mortars, must be registered via a PCN. This harmonized requirement upholds consistent emergency response and safety protocols across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all mortar products require a PCN?

Answer: Only mortars classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need to undergo a PCN. Non-hazardous mixtures do not require this notification.

Question: Where should the UFI be located on mortar packaging?

Answer: The UFI is generally placed near hazard symbols or safety instructions on the product’s label, making it easily accessible during emergencies.

Question: What details must a PCN submission include for mortars?

Answer: A PCN contains data on the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage directions, recommended first aid, and packaging format, which poison centers use for accurate emergency guidance.

Question: Are non-cementitious adhesives included under mortars?

Answer: No, non-cementitious adhesives fall under “Adhesives and sealants – building and construction works.” Mortars specifically refer to cement-based mixtures.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor that places the hazardous mortar on the EU market typically must file the PCN if the mixture meets CLP hazard criteria.

Question: What could happen if I do not submit a PCN for a hazardous mortar?

Answer: Non-compliance may result in legal penalties, fines, or the inability to market the product until PCN requirements are met.

Question: When did this PCN requirement for hazardous products become mandatory?

Answer: The obligation started on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation, ensuring cohesive safety measures and emergency responses 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.