The requirement to provide information to the Swedish authorities about chemical products has been in place for a long time, but since 2021, stricter legislation has been introduced and the process has fundamentally changed. The assembling of information now takes place centrally at EU level, from where the information is then disseminated to the relevant countries and authorities that deal with acute incidents involving chemical products.
In short, all chemical products that are classified as hazardous must be provided with a so-called UFI code and information about the composition must be submitted through a “poisons centre notification”, PCN. The regulations surrounding this are extensive but are largely based on existing legislation.
The basic rule is that whoever has the best knowledge of the product’s composition should be responsible for the PCN, but the exact role in the chain that has that responsibility may vary from case to case. However, anyone who places a classified chemical product on the market is obligated to ensure that a PCN is submitted.
You need to submit the PCN report before the product is released on the market for the first time. You also need to update your PCN if the product is changed according to certain criteria.
Since January 2021, the bulk of all required information about chemical products has been submitted directly to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) through their designated web tool. There is a lot of information that needs to be prepared, for example it is important to know the composition and use cases of the product you are submitting the PCN for.
The threshold to get started with PCN submissions may feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be impossible to overcome. With the right guidance and help, you will become more effective and stay clear of the most obvious pitfalls.
We assist a broad range of clients with various aspects of their toxicological information. We are involved in the entire process, from analysis of existing information and advice to the very practical steps of actually submitting PCNs to ECHA. Often, our work will also result in us providing targeted training for relevant personnel. We can be there for you too, every step of the way.