PCN & UFI for Optical Brighteners

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 Whitening Agents or Optical Brighteners

Whitening agents or optical brighteners are fluorescent compounds designed to reflect ultraviolet rays as visible white light, making fabrics appear brighter and whiter. Although they enhance the perceived cleanliness of textiles, these products may contain chemical ingredients that can be deemed hazardous under EU regulations. If a whitening agent or optical brightener meets hazard classification criteria, it requires a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). Submitting a PCN ensures that poison centers have immediate access to the product’s essential details—such as chemical composition, hazard classification, and recommended first aid—allowing for swift and precise medical intervention should an accidental exposure arise.

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 whitening agents or optical brighteners deemed hazardous, this code should be placed on the label, typically near hazard symbols or safety messages. Poison centers utilize the UFI to identify the product’s exact makeup in the event of an emergency, guiding appropriate first-aid measures.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission for chemical mixtures classified as hazardous within the EU. By submitting a PCN for whitening agents or optical brighteners, manufacturers and distributors provide poison centers with key data including composition, usage instructions, hazard classification, and packaging details. This allows healthcare professionals to respond swiftly and accurately if accidental exposure occurs.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across all EU member states. Any whitening agent or optical brightener classified as hazardous must feature hazard symbols, risk/precautionary statements, and a UFI on the label. This labeling framework alerts users to potential risks and encourages safer handling.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a coordinated network of national poison centers that offers quick, informed guidance when chemical exposures arise. Submitting a PCN for whitening agents or optical brighteners ensures these centers can retrieve the product’s safety and hazard information immediately, leading to faster and more precise treatment recommendations.

Why is This Needed?

While whitening agents or optical brighteners are formulated to be effective in making clothing appear whiter, certain chemical components may cause harm if inhaled, ingested, or contact skin or eyes. A PCN guarantees poison centers have thorough safety data at their disposal, reducing the likelihood of adverse health outcomes and supporting compliance with EU regulations.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, any product meeting the EU’s hazardous classification thresholds—such as certain whitening agents or optical brighteners—must be registered via a PCN under CLP regulations. This uniform safety requirement enhances emergency response measures and protects both consumers and professionals throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all whitening agents or optical brighteners require a PCN?

Answer: Only those classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need a PCN. Products not deemed hazardous are exempt from this requirement.

Question: Where is the UFI placed on the product label?

Answer: The UFI is usually printed near hazard symbols or precautionary statements, ensuring poison centers can quickly locate it in an emergency.

Question: What must be submitted in a PCN for whitening agents?

Answer: A PCN submission covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, first-aid instructions, packaging details, and usage guidelines, supporting accurate poison center responses.

Question: Who must file the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market is generally responsible for registering a hazardous product via a PCN.

Question: What penalties apply if a PCN is not submitted for a hazardous product?

Answer: Non-compliance may lead to fines, product recalls, or restrictions on selling the product within EU member states until the PCN obligations are fulfilled.

Question: When did PCN requirements for hazardous products come into effect?

Answer: The requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, aligning with EU CLP regulations for all hazardous chemical mixtures, including whitening agents or optical brighteners.

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.