About UFI code

Throughout the European Union, starting in 2021, labels on hazardous chemical mixtures (except for mixtures classified solely for environmental hazards—H400, H410, H411, H412, H413) must include a 16-character code—the Unique Formula Identifier (UFI).

The UFI allows poison control centers to precisely identify a specific chemical mixture and quickly provide medical professionals with information in the event of an accident or poisoning.

Why is the UFI necessary?

The UFI system was created to: It is important to understand that the UFI is not a quality mark or certificate. It is an identification code that links the product label to the information officially provided to poison control centers.

quickly identify a specific product in the event of poisoning;

provide doctors with information on the exact composition of a mixture;

help select the appropriate treatment;

ensure uniform identification of chemical products across all EU member states.

What does Article 45 of the CLP Regulation stipulate?

Article 45 of the CLP Regulation requires:When do the UFI requirements take effect?

downstream users and importers who place hazardous mixtures on the market to submit the specified information;

to submit information to national poison control centers;

to ensure that information is available during health emergencies;

to submit information before the product is placed on the market.

Implementation deadlines for Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation: Which products require a UFI?

January 1, 2021 – mixtures intended for consumers and professionals;

January 1, 2024 – mixtures intended solely for industrial use;

January 1, 2025 – all mixtures placed on the market that are subject to Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation.

Information must be provided for mixtures classified as hazardous to human health or due to physical hazards, such as: A UFI may also be required for certain articles containing hazardous chemical mixtures, such as:When is a UFI not required?

paints;

varnishes;

primers;

construction chemicals;

automotive care products;

cleaning products;

adhesives;

solvents;

fragrance bases and other chemical mixtures.

candles;

wax melters;

scented chalks;

printer cartridges;

wet wipes;

other products in which the hazardous mixture remains in the final product.

A UFI is generally not required if: Therefore, not all essential oils, waxes, or cosmetic ingredients are automatically required to have a UFI—it all depends on their classification under the CLP Regulation.

the product is not classified as hazardous to human health;

the product does not pose any physical hazards;

the classification applies only to environmental hazards (H400–H413);

the product is not subject to Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation.

Who is responsible for obtaining a UFI?

UFI registration is generally required: It is important to note that simply repackaging a product into different packaging may trigger the obligation to submit a new notification to poison control centers, even if the composition of the mixture remains unchanged. Each situation must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

the manufacturer of the mixture;

the importer;

the company that blends or repackages chemical mixtures itself and places them on the market under its own name.

How is a UFI obtained?

To use a UFI: Simply generating a UFI is not enough—it must be linked to officially submitted product information.

A UFI code is generated;

Detailed product information (PCN notification) is prepared;

The information is submitted to the European Poisons Centers Network;

The UFI code is indicated on the product label.

Is a single notification sufficient for the entire European Union?

Yes. Information can be submitted centrally through the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) system. In this way, the data becomes available to poison control centers in selected EU member states, so the product can be legally supplied to those markets for which a notification has been submitted.

What happens if there is no UFI?

If a UFI is required for a product but: placing such a product on the EU market is considered non-compliant with the CLP Regulation and may result in sanctions imposed by regulatory authorities.

no PCN notification has been submitted;

the UFI code is not on the label;

Useful Information for Manufacturers of Candles and Home Fragrances

If you manufacture candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, or other fragranced products, the UFI requirement depends not on the product’s intended use but on the classification of the final mixture. For example, room sprays or home fragrance liquids are often classified as hazardous due to the fragrances and solvents they contain, so a UFI may be required for them. Meanwhile, for many ordinary candles, where the wax mixture is not classified as hazardous to health or due to physical hazards, a UFI may not be required. Each product must be assessed individually based on its safety data sheet and CLP classification.

UFI Registration Services

There are companies in Lithuania that provide UFI registration and PCN notification preparation services. They can assist with:

1. www.uficode.eu. The preliminary cost for processing a single UFI code starts at 50 euros. A more accurate price can be provided after evaluating the mixture’s components; a safety data sheet is sufficient for this purpose. Contact information: Audrius Jaugelavičius, email: info@uficode.eu, mobile: +370 614 11017, MB “Visa chemija,” company code 306243318, Geibonių St. 6H, Šarkinės Village, LT-26130 Elektrėnai, Lithuania.

assess whether a UFI is required for the product;

prepare the necessary documentation;

submit information to poison control centers;

ensure compliance with the requirements of the CLP Regulation in all selected EU member states.

2. www.aplinkosvadyba.lt, info@aplinkosvadyba.lt, +37061322747, UAB “Aplinkos vadyba”, Manufaktūrų St. 20-212, 11342 Vilnius, Lithuania.