PCN & UFI for Unit-Dose Detergent Capsules

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 Household Laundry Detergents (Including Unit-Dose Capsules)

Laundry detergents intended for household use, such as powders, liquids, and single-dose capsules, often contain chemical ingredients (e.g., surfactants, enzymes, bleaches) that can pose health or environmental hazards if accidentally ingested, inhaled, or in contact with skin or eyes. If these detergents meet the EU’s hazardous classification criteria, they require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN). By submitting a PCN, manufacturers ensure that poison centers can access critical product data—such as composition, hazard classification, and recommended first-aid steps—allowing them to provide timely and accurate guidance in case of accidental exposure.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links a hazardous product to its exact chemical formulation. For household laundry detergents considered hazardous, the UFI should be present on the label, typically near hazard symbols or safety statements. In the event of an emergency, poison centers use this code to identify the detergent’s makeup quickly and offer suitable medical or first-aid advice.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a legally mandated submission for hazardous chemical mixtures in the EU. For household laundry detergents, including unit-dose capsules, filing a PCN provides poison centers with the detergent’s essential information—covering ingredients, packaging details, usage instructions, and first-aid measures—so healthcare professionals can respond rapidly in an accidental exposure incident.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation harmonizes chemical hazard communication across EU member states. Detergents meeting the hazardous classification must display appropriate hazard symbols, risk/precaution statements, and the UFI on their labels. This labeling ensures users can identify potential risks and follow safe handling practices, whether they’re dealing with powders, liquids, or single-dose capsules.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers that provides emergency medical advice in cases of chemical exposure. By registering hazardous detergents with a PCN, manufacturers enable poison centers to swiftly retrieve relevant safety details, ensuring accurate advice and more effective treatment if someone accidentally ingests or misuses the product.

Why is This Needed?

Single-dose capsules, liquids, and powders for household laundry can contain potent ingredients capable of causing irritation or harm if handled improperly or ingested. A PCN guarantees that poison centers have immediate access to the product’s safety profile, minimizing health risks and ensuring compliance with EU regulations across all household detergent forms.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

From January 1, 2021, any hazardous chemical mixture, including certain household laundry detergents and capsules, must be registered via a Poison Centre Notification according to EU CLP regulations. This rule harmonizes safety standards and emergency protocols throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all household laundry detergents require a PCN?

Answer: Only detergents classified as hazardous under CLP regulations need a PCN. Non-hazardous formulations are exempt from this requirement.

Question: Where should the UFI appear on the product label?

Answer: The UFI typically appears near hazard statements or precautionary warnings, ensuring quick visibility for poison centers and emergency responders in case of accidents.

Question: What information must be included in a PCN for these detergents?

Answer: A PCN includes the detergent’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage recommendations, packaging specifics, and recommended first-aid measures.

Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the hazardous detergent on the EU market must submit the PCN if it meets the hazard classification criteria.

Question: What happens if I don’t submit a PCN for a hazardous household detergent?

Answer: Non-compliance can lead to legal penalties, including fines or product withdrawal from the EU market until the PCN requirements are fulfilled.

Question: Are single-dose “pod” detergents also subject to these regulations?

Answer: Yes. If the single-dose detergent meets the hazardous criteria under CLP, it also requires a PCN submission, just like liquid or powder forms.

Question: When did the PCN requirement become mandatory for hazardous detergents?

Answer: The requirement took effect on January 1, 2021, under the EU CLP regulation for 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.