PCN & UFI for Windscreen Wash Products

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 Windscreen/Windshield Cleaners

Windscreen/windshield cleaners, which are applied directly to vehicle glass surfaces to remove dirt, grime, and insect residues, can contain solvents, surfactants, or other chemicals that may pose a health or environmental risk if used improperly. Under EU regulations, these products require a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) if they meet hazardous classification criteria under the CLP regulation. Filing a PCN ensures that poison centers have immediate access to product-specific data—such as chemical composition and hazard information—allowing them to deliver timely guidance in emergencies and maintain consistent safety standards across EU member states.

What is a UFI?

The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) is a 16-character alphanumeric code that links a hazardous product to its precise formulation. For windscreen/windshield cleaners, the UFI must appear on the product label, typically near hazard statements or safety warnings. This code helps poison centers quickly identify the product’s composition during an incident and provide accurate medical or first-aid advice.

What is a PCN?

A Poison Centre Notification (PCN) is a mandatory submission for hazardous chemical mixtures sold in the EU. By registering a windscreen/windshield cleaner under PCN, manufacturers or distributors provide poison centers with information about the product’s chemical composition, risk classification, usage instructions, and first-aid measures. In turn, this data enables healthcare professionals and emergency responders to manage any exposure or accidental ingestion more effectively.

What is CLP?

The Classification, Labelling, and Packaging (CLP) regulation ensures that chemicals and their hazards are classified and communicated uniformly throughout EU member states. Windscreen/windshield cleaners classified as hazardous must feature hazard symbols, precautionary statements, and the UFI on their labels, enabling users and emergency responders to quickly identify and handle potential risks.

What is the Poison Centre?

The Poison Centre is a network of national poison centers responsible for giving rapid and informed guidance in cases of chemical exposure. When a PCN is submitted for hazardous products like windscreen/windshield cleaners, poison centers can promptly retrieve the product’s essential data, allowing them to dispense targeted medical advice in emergency scenarios.

Why is This Needed?

Windscreen/windshield cleaners may contain chemicals that can irritate skin or eyes, or cause harm if inhaled or ingested. By filing a PCN, poison centers gain the information they need to respond quickly and effectively, safeguarding users from potential health threats and meeting EU safety regulations.

Since When is This by Law Obligatory?

As of January 1, 2021, the EU CLP regulation mandates that any hazardous chemical product, including certain windscreen/windshield cleaners, must be registered through a Poison Centre Notification. This ensures uniform safety protocols and emergency responses throughout EU member states.

FAQ

Question: Do all windscreen/windshield cleaners require a PCN?

Answer: Only cleaners classified as hazardous under the CLP regulation must undergo PCN submission. Non-hazardous products are not subject to this requirement.

Question: Where should the UFI be displayed on the product?

Answer: The UFI is usually placed near hazard statements or safety symbols on the product label, ensuring easy visibility for emergency responders.

Question: What data is included in a PCN for windscreen/windshield cleaners?

Answer: The PCN covers the product’s chemical composition, hazard classification, usage instructions, packaging details, and recommended first-aid measures.

Question: What happens if a company fails to submit a PCN for a hazardous cleaner?

Answer: Non-compliance may lead to legal penalties, fines, or restricted access to EU markets until the PCN obligations are fulfilled.

Question: Who is responsible for filing the PCN?

Answer: The manufacturer, importer, or distributor placing the product on the EU market is typically in charge of PCN submissions if it’s classified as hazardous.

Question: Do professional-use windscreen/windshield cleaners also require PCN?

Answer: Yes, if a cleaner is classified as hazardous under CLP, it falls under PCN obligations regardless of whether it’s for consumer or professional use.

Question: When did the PCN requirement for hazardous products take effect?

Answer: The requirement was enforced on January 1, 2021, aligning with EU CLP regulations 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.