PCN & UFI for Textile Footwear Cleaners

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 Textile Footwear Cleaning Products

Cleaning products formulated for textile footwear, such as sneakers, fabric shoes, and other cloth-based footwear, often contain chemical agents (e.g., surfactants, solvents) to remove dirt, stains, and odors. Although these products improve shoe hygiene and appearance, they may pose health risks if misused. Therefore, those classified as hazardous under EU regulations require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). Submitting a PCN ensures poison centers can rapidly access detailed safety data in emergencies, helping protect consumers and professionals alike.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code linking a chemical product to its exact formulation. For textile footwear cleaning products, the UFI must be prominently displayed on the product label, near any hazard or safety information. In the event of exposure, poison centers use this code to identify the product and provide precise medical or first-aid guidance.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a regulatory requirement for products containing hazardous chemical mixtures sold in the EU. By filing a PCN for textile footwear cleaning products, manufacturers and distributors supply poison centers with essential details about the product’s composition, hazards, and safe handling practices. This database entry allows emergency responders to deliver accurate advice if an accidental incident occurs.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation sets uniform rules across the EU for identifying and communicating chemical hazards. If textile footwear cleaning products meet CLP hazard criteria, their labels must include hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI. This labeling helps users recognize potential risks and apply the product safely.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of institutions that offer assistance in cases of chemical exposure, providing immediate medical guidance and treatment recommendations. Submitting a PCN allows these centers to access critical product information, ensuring swift action to prevent or mitigate harm from hazardous textile footwear cleaning products.

Why is This Needed?

Textile footwear cleaning products can contain substances that cause skin or eye irritation, respiratory issues, or other health problems if improperly used or ingested. A PCN guarantees that poison centers have the data needed to respond quickly and accurately, enhancing consumer safety and maintaining regulatory compliance for manufacturers.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

Under EU legislation, as of January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixtures—such as certain textile footwear cleaning products—must be registered through a PCN if they meet CLP hazard classification requirements. This rule promotes uniform safety standards and efficient emergency response across EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all textile footwear cleaning products require a PCN?

Answer: Only products classified as hazardous under CLP regulations require a PCN. Products not meeting the hazard criteria do not need registration.

Question: Where should the UFI be printed?

Answer: The UFI must appear on the product label, typically near any hazard symbols or precautionary statements, to ensure quick identification in emergencies.

Question: What does a PCN submission include?

Answer: A PCN contains details such as the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, packaging, intended use, and first-aid measures, enabling poison centers to respond effectively.

Question: Are leather footwear cleaners covered here?

Answer: No, leather footwear cleaning products fall under a separate category and are not included in this discussion regarding textile footwear cleaning products.

Question: What happens if a manufacturer fails to submit a PCN for a hazardous cleaning product?

Answer: Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, fines, or removal of the product from the EU market until compliance is achieved.

Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?

Answer: Typically, the manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market must submit the PCN if the product is classified as hazardous.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become effective?

Answer: The requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, for all hazardous chemical produ

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.