What is a UFI?
UFIs, or Unique Formula Identifiers, are unique codes which will need to appear on the labels of hazardous mixtures.
These UFIs can be generated on the UFI generator ECHA created, on its website dedicated to poison centres. To do so, companies will need to provide their VAT number and a mixture-specific formulation number. This new labelling element will be made up of 16 characters and will be linked to one specific composition. The UFI does not need to change as long as the mixture’s composition does not change.
If a company produces the same mixture but commercialised under different names, it will be able to either assign the same UFI (product centric approach) or different UFIs (mixture centric approach) to each product. In any case, the company will have to communicate the right UFI to the poison centre of the country where the product is commercialised.
What are the deadlines for UFIs?
In the end, UFIs will need to appear on all hazardous mixtures. For new products, the deadlines are as follows:
- 1st January 2021 for mixtures for consumer use
- 1st January 2021 for mixtures for professional use
- 1st January 2024 for mixtures for industrial use
For mixtures already on the market, companies have until the end of the transition period to become compliant. Meaning that, on 1st January 2025, all hazardous mixtures on the European market will need to have a UFI.
Harmonised format for poison centre notification
With the amendment adding Annex VIII to the CLP regulation, new requirements in terms of information to provide to poison centres have emerged in the European Union.
Notifications will now need to be carried out in a harmonised format, and will need to be done through the harmonised submission portal published by ECHA in April. Member states will be able to link their own local submission portals to ECHA’s one. In the meantime, a double notification will be necessary.
Wish to know more more about UFIs and poison centres?
For more information, do not hesitate to contact Renaud Germain-Thomas or one of our experts by phone: +33 1 83 64 20 54 for Europe or +1 (778) 234 1607 for North America or to contact them via our contact form, selecting "Safety Data Sheets" as the purpose of your inquiry.
