PCN & UFI for Textile Processing Aids

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 Paper and Board Treatment Products (Excluding Dyes)

Paper and board treatment products, which include items such as bleaches, finishing agents, impregnation products, and other processing aids, are essential in the paper and packaging industry. These products help enhance the quality, appearance, and durability of paper and board materials. To comply with EU regulations and ensure proper safety in case of accidental exposure, these products must be registered with the Poison Centre through a Poison Centre Notification (PCN).

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that identifies the chemical composition of a product, such as paper and board treatment products. The UFI must be included on the product label and is used to link the product to its corresponding Poison Centre Notification. It enables emergency responders and poison centers to quickly identify the product in case of exposure or poisoning incidents.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a submission that provides detailed information about the chemical composition, hazard classification, and intended use of a product. For paper and board treatment products, this includes details about the ingredients, packaging, and classification of hazards. The PCN ensures that poison centers are equipped with critical information to offer accurate medical advice in the event of accidental exposure to the product.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation is designed to ensure that hazardous substances and mixtures are properly classified and labeled according to their health, environmental, and physical hazards. For paper and board treatment products, the CLP regulation mandates that the product label clearly communicates any potential hazards, precautionary statements, and the UFI, ensuring the safe use of these products.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national organizations that specialize in managing cases of chemical exposure and poisoning. By accessing the data submitted in the PCN, poison centers can quickly respond to incidents and provide the necessary guidance on treatment and safety measures during emergencies involving hazardous chemicals, including paper and board treatment products.

Why is This Needed?

Paper and board treatment products, particularly bleaches and impregnation agents, can contain substances that may pose health risks if improperly handled or accidentally exposed. A PCN ensures that the Poison Centres have accurate and readily available product information, enabling them to provide appropriate medical assistance in case of exposure. This enhances safety for workers handling these products as well as consumers who may come into contact with treated materials.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

The requirement to submit a PCN for hazardous mixtures, including paper and board treatment products, became mandatory on January 1, 2021, under Annex VIII of the CLP regulation. This law applies to all hazardous products, regardless of whether they are used in industrial or consumer applications.

FAQ

Question: Do all paper and board treatment products need a PCN?

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

Question: What kind of information is required to submit a PCN for paper and board treatment products?

Answer: The PCN requires details about the product’s chemical composition, classification, intended use, packaging, and the Unique Formula Identifier (UFI).

Question: Where should the UFI be displayed on paper and board treatment products?

Answer: The UFI must be printed on the product label, along with hazard and precautionary information, ensuring it is easily visible in an emergency situation.

Question: Who is responsible for submitting the PCN for paper and board treatment products?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or downstream user who places the paper and board treatment product on the EU market is responsible for submitting the PCN.

Question: What are the consequences of not submitting a PCN for paper and board treatment products?

Answer: Failing to submit a PCN can lead to penalties, product recalls, or restrictions on the sale of the product within the EU market.

Question: Are dyes also subject to the same PCN requirements?

Answer: No, dyes are categorized separately and fall under the “Dyes” section. The PCN requirement does not apply to dyes for paper and board treatment but applies to the other chemical products in this category, such as bleaches and finishing agents.

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.