UNIQUE FORMULA IDENTIFIER (UFI)
As of 1 January 2021, every newly marketed hazardous mixture in the EU — classified for physical hazards and/or human health hazards — must be notified to the Poison Centre through the ECHA PCN portal and bear a Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) on the label. Mixtures classified only for environmental hazards, or not classified as hazardous, may also include a UFI and be voluntarily notified.
This obligation applies to mixtures intended for consumer and professional use. For industrial use mixtures, notification becomes mandatory from 1 January 2024.
Mixtures already on the market before 1 January 2021 and previously notified via national systems (e.g., ELDIOM) are subject to a transitional period until the end of 2024. However, any updates to composition or safety data sheets (SDS) must follow the new notification requirements immediately.
Legal basis: Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1677 amending Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
UFI Code Details
- The UFI is a unique alphanumeric code divided into four blocks separated by hyphens (e.g., UFI: M720-78D2-T76Y-7742).
- It must be preceded by “UFI:” and displayed clearly, legibly, and indelibly on the label.
- The code is generated electronically based on the company’s VAT number (or national tax ID) and the internal formulation number.
Generate your UFI at: https://ufi.echa.europa.eu/#/create. Note that the tool does not store generated codes — users must retain them themselves.
- A new UFI is required if:
- The composition changes (add/remove/replace ingredients).
- The supplier changes the UFI and it affects the mixture details.
- The concentration changes outside the permitted range.
- UFI updates require notification updates via the PCN portal.
- UFI assignment options:
- By mixture – same UFI for all products with that mixture.
- By product – unique UFI for each product.
- By market – different UFI per country of distribution.
- By language – UFI linked to label language.
- The UFI becomes valid only after PCN submission to ECHA.
- It links the submitted formula information to the specific mixture or mixture group.
- The obligation to generate and place the UFI lies with the importer, formulator, or packager.
- The UFI can be printed on the label, inner packaging, or — if not feasible — on outer packaging.
- For unlabelled mixtures, include the UFI in the SDS or label copy.
- For industrial mixtures in bulk or large packaging, the UFI may appear only in the SDS.
If you’re unsure how to manage UFI or PCN requirements, request a compliance audit to identify your supply chain role. We also offer customised trainings and webinars on EU chemicals legislation.