Note concerning the publication date of BfR2GO
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Small print of major importance
Listen to the article:
Have you ever taken a look at the label on your household cleaning agents? Then you may have noticed a 16-digit code.
This is the UFI code (Unique Formula Identifier). In case of emergency, it can save lives.
Imagine that a child accidentally or out of ignorance drinks some of this cleaning agent. In such cases, it’s important to immediately call one of the seven Poison Centres (GIZ) of the German federal states (“Laender”). Product names can be confusing, but the UFI code enables clear identification. With the combination of product name and UFI the GIZ can quickly and safely identify the product’s chemical composition and thus provide the best possible information about poisoning risks and the correct medical treatment.
The UFI is obligatory for all products in the European Economic Area (EEA) that are classified as harmful to health or physically harmful. Companies can generate the code themselves using a platform and then submit a notification including the UFI, product content and information to the responsible authority. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) fulfils this task in Germany.
