PCN & UFI for Pre-Wash Stain Removers

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 Pre-Treatment Stain Removers

Pre-treatment stain removers, designed to be applied directly to fabric before washing, can contain potent chemicals like enzymes, surfactants, or bleaches. These active agents increase cleaning efficacy but may also classify the product as hazardous under EU regulations. If so, a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is required to ensure that poison centers can quickly access detailed safety data—including chemical composition, hazard classification, and recommended first aid—in an emergency situation.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that connects a hazardous product to its precise chemical formulation. For pre-treatment stain removers deemed hazardous, the UFI must appear on the product label, generally near any hazard icons or safety statements. If an exposure incident happens, poison centers use this code to pinpoint the exact formulation and provide appropriate medical or first-aid guidance.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission under EU regulations for hazardous chemical mixtures. Submitting a PCN for pre-treatment stain removers gives poison centers essential information, such as the product’s ingredients, hazard level, and safe handling instructions. This data enables healthcare providers and emergency responders to manage accidental exposure with speed and accuracy.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation standardizes how chemicals are classified and labeled across EU member states. If a pre-treatment stain remover meets the hazard criteria, it must display hazard symbols, risk statements, and the UFI on its packaging. This labeling educates users on potential risks and promotes safe product usage.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a collective network of national poison centers that offers urgent medical advice and guidance when chemical exposure incidents occur. By registering a hazardous pre-treatment stain remover with a PCN, manufacturers and importers enable these centers to retrieve the product’s hazard information promptly, ensuring fast and accurate treatment suggestions.

Why is This Needed?

Pre-treatment stain removers can contain concentrated chemicals that may irritate skin, eyes, or cause harm if ingested. A PCN ensures poison centers have direct access to the product’s comprehensive safety profile, reducing health risks through immediate, specialized guidance in emergency scenarios. This compliance is also crucial for meeting EU safety requirements.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture—including specific pre-treatment stain removers—must undergo registration via a Poison Centre Notification under EU CLP regulations. This harmonized approach aims to maintain consistent safety measures and swift emergency protocols across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all pre-treatment stain removers require a PCN?

Answer: Only products classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need a PCN. Non-hazardous items are not required to register.

Question: Where should the UFI be placed on the product label?

Answer: The UFI is typically displayed near hazard symbols or precautionary statements to ensure it is easily located in an emergency.

Question: What does a PCN submission include?

Answer: A PCN covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging details, usage instructions, and recommended first-aid measures, helping poison centers respond effectively to exposures.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market is responsible for submitting the PCN if the product meets hazard classification criteria.

Question: Are professional-use stain removers also subject to these regulations?

Answer: Yes, if the product is classified as hazardous, it requires PCN registration, regardless of whether it is intended for consumer or professional use.

Question: What are the consequences if a PCN is not submitted for a hazardous product?

Answer: Non-compliance can lead to legal penalties, including fines, product recalls, or restrictions on marketing the product in the EU until PCN obligations are fulfilled.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory?

Answer: The requirement came into effect on January 1, 2021, aligned with the EU CLP regulation for all 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.