March 24, 2023 | Reading time: 5 minutes

UFI: Everything You Need to Know

As of 2021, a new label element known as the unique formula identifier (UFI), a 16-character code, was introduced as a requirement for some product labels. This code is required by law in many countries and serves an important purpose in ensuring product safety and traceability.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about UFI. From its meaning and importance to how it’s generated, we’ll give you a complete overview of this crucial identifier. So, let’s dive in!

What is UFI?

UFI stands for Unique Formula Identifier. It’s a 16-character alphanumeric code that is now required on the labels of products classified for health and physical hazards in the EU.

The UFI system was introduced as part of the European Union’s CLP Regulation, which governs the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals. Under this regulation, companies and downstream users that manufacture or import hazardous mixtures into the EU must include a UFI on the label of their products.

The UFI code consists of four sections: a company identifier, a product identifier, a batch number, and a check digit. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) assigns the company identifier and identifies the company that has registered the product. The product identifier is assigned by the company and identifies the specific product. The batch number is optional and can be used to identify a specific product batch. The check digit is calculated using a formula to ensure the accuracy of the UFI code.

In addition to the UFI, there is the requirement to notify products to the relevant Poison Centre of the country where it is manufactured or imported. The products are notified as a Poison Centre Notification product dossier. There’s a requirement to provide other information on the mixture and associated products, such as trade name, composition, colour, packaging, product category and toxicological information.

What is the purpose of UFI?

The UFI and the other information you have provided, will primarily be used by poison centres in the event of an emergency call. For example, the UFI can be read directly from the label of a product to a poison centre operator in addition to the trade name to precisely identify the product involved in an incident.

When and where does a UFI code apply?

Mixtures classified as either human health or physical hazards require a UFI on the CLP label and in a Poison Centre Notification (PCN) dossier. On the CLP label, the UFI code must be placed in a prominent place (e.g., near the barcode or the hazard pictograms). However, some products, particularly those used in industrial settings, lack a product label, in which case the Safety Data Sheet must include the UFI code.

Hazardous mixtures are those that (a) fall into the scope of CLP and (b) have a physical or health hazard classification. So, if your product/mixture is labelled with one of the following hazard pictograms for human exposure, the UFI code must be included on the label. Mixtures classified as environmental hazards only can be notified on a voluntary basis.

How does UFI work?

Here’s how the UFI system works:

Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemical products register their products with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). As part of the registration process, they are assigned a company identifier by the ECHA.
Manufacturers and importers then generate a unique product identifier for each product. This identifier is linked to the company identifier, and together they form the first part of the UFI code.
Manufacturers and importers can also include an optional batch number in the UFI code, allowing them to identify a specific product batch if needed.
The final part of the UFI code is a check digit, which is calculated using a formula to ensure the accuracy of the UFI code.

The UFI code is then printed on the label of the hazardous chemical product.

How to generate a UFI code?

To generate a UFI code for your mixture, you will need the following:

Company’s VAT number (or ‘company key’ in specific cases)
The mixture-specific formulation number

You will then need to enter those two numbers into ECHA’s UFI Generator online tool, which will provide you with your UFI code. It’s as simple as that!

For efficiency purposes, if you manage a sizable product portfolio, you can create your own generator in your company’s IT system, enabling a more automated method for creating UFIs in bulk. You must refer to the UFI developer’s manual for this option.

Additionally, the UFI respects the integrity of your private business data as the codes are always encrypted. For example, the UFI cannot be used to decode information about the mixture composition. Only poison centres will be aware of what mixture composition matches the given UFI.

When do you need to produce a new UFI code?

The UFI code can stay the same even if additional changes to the product, such as new packaging or a new trade name, take place as long as the mixture composition remains the same. Only when a change in the mixture composition happens, such as when a component is added, removed, or substituted, or when the concentrations of components change outside of the permitted variation range, is a new UFI required to be prepared and printed on or adhered to the label.

How can UFI benefit your business?

If you’re importing or using mixtures, pay attention to some new regulations, e.g. the CLP Regulation, which has been updated and requires further information to be submitted.

The good news is that the deadline for submitting this information will vary based on the intended use of the mixture – whether it’s for consumer, professional, or industrial use. So don’t worry, you won’t need to rush to meet the same deadline as everyone else!

For those of you who still need to notify your mixtures under national legislation, there are some specific dates you should be aware of. To comply with the updated CLP Regulation, you’ll need to follow Annex VIII from the following dates:

Mixtures for consumer use – from 1 January 2020
Mixtures for professional use – from 1 January 2021
Mixtures for industrial use – from 1 January 2024

UFI in the future

As more countries adopt similar regulations to the EU, UFI codes will likely become more widespread. The United Nations has already adopted a similar system known as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). This system also requires a unique identifier to track hazardous substances across borders.

Conclusion

With the UFI code, it’s easier to identify hazardous mixtures, track their origin, and quickly respond in case of emergencies. The UFI system is mandatory for companies and downstream users that produce and distribute hazardous mixtures in the EU. As more industries adopt the UFI system, we can expect to see improved supply chain management, better compliance with regulations, and enhanced safety for consumers and the environment. Overall, the UFI system is a vital tool that benefits everyone involved in the supply chain, and its impact will continue to be felt for years to come.