If your company manufactures, imports or places hazardous mixtures on the European market, you must be aware of a key obligation under the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008: the harmonised notification to poison centres, established in Article 45 and detailed in Annex VIII.

This notification ensures that the poison centres of EU Member States have the necessary information to act effectively in case of an emergency, such as accidental poisoning or unintended exposure to chemicals.

Which products must be notified, and who is responsible?

All hazardous mixtures classified for health hazards or physical hazards must be notified.

The obligation applies to any company responsible for placing the mixture on the EU market—whether manufacturer, importer or distributor—and covers all countries where the product is made available.

Notification is not required if the mixture:

• Is not classified as hazardous.
• Is classified only for environmental hazards.
• Is a gas under pressure or an explosive.
• Falls under sector-specific legislation (cosmetics, medicinal products, food or feed).

Nevertheless, many companies choose to notify voluntarily, as a matter of responsibility or to facilitate medical response in case of exposure.

What information must the notification include?

Notifications must be submitted through the ECHA Submission Portal and contain, at a minimum, the following key elements:

• Identification of the product and the responsible company.
• Classification and associated hazards.
• Detailed information on composition.
• Toxicological data, intended uses and product type.
• The UFI (Unique Formula Identifier).

Keep in mind: if you make changes to the composition, product type or classification of the mixture, the notification must be updated before the product is placed back on the market. This guarantees that poison centres always have accurate and up-to-date information.

What is the UFI and why is it mandatory?

The UFI (Unique Formula Identifier) is a mandatory alphanumeric code that uniquely links the product to the composition information submitted in the poison centre notification.

This code allows poison centres to identify the product immediately and precisely during an emergency call, enabling a rapid and effective response.

The UFI is generated through ECHA’s UFI Generator tool, based on the company’s VAT number and an internal formulation number.

It must appear on the label of all notified mixtures, preceded by “UFI:”, in a visible, legible and indelible manner. For mixtures without packaging or intended for industrial use, the UFI may be included in the Safety Data Sheet.

What happens if you do not comply?

Failure to notify—or submitting incomplete or incorrect information—can lead to serious consequences:

• Administrative penalties.
• Prohibition from marketing the product in certain countries.
• Health risks if emergency responders cannot act quickly.

How can ServiREACH help?

At ServiREACH, we support you throughout the entire process to ensure compliance with CLP Article 45:

• We verify whether your products are subject to notification.
• We prepare and submit harmonised notifications in line with Annex VIII.
• We manage updates safely and within deadlines.
• We ensure compliance with country-specific requirements.
• We review your labelling and documentation to guarantee conformity.

Are you marketing hazardous mixtures in Europe?

Ensure compliance, avoid penalties, and guarantee an effective medical response in case of emergency.