What is a poison centre?

Poison centres play an important role in ensuring the safe use of chemicals and formulating preventive and curative measures in case of poisoning incidents. They provide medical advice to general consumers and physicians on health emergencies arising from exposure to hazardous chemicals or to other toxic agents.

On average, poison centres in the EU answer 600 000 calls for support each year. Roughly half of the cases are related to accidental exposures involving children. Under Article 45 of the CLP Regulation economic operators placing certain hazardous mixtures on the market have to provide information to national appointed bodies. This information is used by poison centres.

This website is established by the European Chemicals Agency to facilitate the implementation of new regulations on harmonised information by companies, appointed bodies and poison centres. 

  • 18 April 2018 Webinar: using the UFI for your products and mixtures
    This webinar explains what the unique formula identifier (UFI) is and how it can be used. It also describes available tools and support for generating and using the UFI for hazardous and non-hazardous mixtures...
  • 18 April 2018 Newsletter article: get the full UFI overview
    If you or someone you know has ever been accidentally exposed to a chemical product, you can pick up the phone and call a poison centre to ask for medical advice.
  • 20 March 2018 European product categorisation system is online
    The European product categorisation system (EuPCS) describes ‘the intended use of a mixture’ for which a submission has to be made according to Article 45 and Annex VIII of the CLP Regulation. Examples of intended uses include the use as an adhesive, as a decorative paint, or as a dishwashing detergent.
  • 16 March 2018 Draft guidance published
    The first draft of the guidance on the interpretation and application of the new Annex to the CLP Regulation has been published.
  • 2 March 2018 Consultation of draft Guidance on new Annex to CLP
    The consultation of the draft guidance on the interpretation and application of the new Annex VIII to the CLP Regulation has been launched. The annex deals with harmonised information relating to emergency health response ultimately used by poison centres.