UFI and PCN — frequently asked questions

What is a UFI and where does it come from?

The UFI is the 16-character unique formula identifier that links a hazardous mixture's label to the exact composition held in its PCN dossier. It is generated, not chosen, from your company's VAT number and a formulation number you assign to that composition. Read the full explanation of what a UFI is.

How will the UFI be used in an emergency?

A poison centre operator taking an emergency call enters the code into the notification system, which returns the exact formulation behind it — every component, its concentration and any toxicological information declared. See how poison centres use your notification.

What do you need to create a UFI?

Two inputs: the VAT number of the company placing the mixture on the EU market, and a formulation number you choose yourself for that specific composition. A company without an EU VAT number can request a company key from ECHA instead. See how to create a UFI.

Does the UFI keep your business information confidential?

Yes. The 16 characters cannot be decoded back into a composition — the code is a pointer to a record, not an encoded ingredient list. The full composition is visible only to the poison centres your dossier is submitted to. Read how UFI confidentiality works.

How is the UFI used in the supply chain for a mixture in mixture?

Where a component of your mixture is itself a notified mixture, you can cite your supplier's UFI in your dossier instead of disclosing what is inside it — provided your supplier has already submitted their own PCN dossier for that component. See how a mixture in mixture works.

When do you need a new UFI code?

A new UFI is required when the composition itself changes — an ingredient added or removed, a supplier substitution, or a concentration moving outside the declared range. A rebrand, a pack size change or a new EuPCS category only needs the existing dossier updated. See the decision rules for when a new UFI is needed.

Can you use one UFI for multiple products, or several UFIs for one product?

One UFI can cover several branded products if they all share the same underlying composition, because the code is tied to a formulation, not a product name. The reverse never applies: one product with a single composition cannot carry more than one UFI. Read more about what a UFI links.

Does the UFI always have to be included on the label?

Almost always, alongside the other CLP hazard information, with the "UFI:" prefix. The one exception is a mixture notified for industrial use only, where the code can appear in the safety data sheet instead of the label. See the full UFI label rules.

By when should the UFI be on the label?

Before the mixture is placed on the market — the UFI is generated and printed on the label ahead of the first sale or import, not added once a customer or authority asks for it. Every classified mixture on the market today, regardless of when it launched, needs a valid UFI already in place. See where your product stands against the Annex VIII deadlines.