1. Why and how should you voluntarily notify your mixtures?
Certain mixtures are not subject to the obligation to submit information to poison centres under Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (the CLP Regulation), as well as under the applicable Belgian legislation.
For these mixtures, a voluntary submission (Voluntary submission) may nevertheless be made so that the Poison Centre has the necessary information available in advance in the event of exposure.
Use of the Poison Centre emergency telephone number
If you indicate the Poison Centre emergency telephone number on a safety data sheet and/or on the label of a mixture that is not subject to the notification obligation, it is strongly recommended that you make a voluntary submission.
A voluntary submission enables the Poison Centre to have the necessary information about the mixture available in advance and to quickly identify the product concerned in the event of exposure.
2. Which mixtures can be subject to a voluntary submission?
A voluntary submission may, in particular, concern:
- mixtures not classified as hazardous under the CLP Regulation;
- mixtures classified solely because of their hazards to the environment;
- certain mixtures classified solely as gases under pressure;
- custom-made paints benefiting from the exemption provided for in Annex VIII to the CLP Regulation.
3. Why make a voluntary submission?
Anticipating emergency situations and contributing to the protection of users
Even when a mixture is not classified as hazardous within the meaning of the CLP Regulation, accidental exposure may require a medical assessment, particularly in cases of ingestion, eye contact or skin contact.
A voluntary submission enables the Poison Centre to have useful information about the mixture available before an exposure occurs. This information makes it possible, in particular, to quickly identify the product concerned and to have the information necessary to guide the medical management of the exposed person.
The information relating to the composition of the mixture provided to the Poison Centre is treated in strict confidence. It is used in the context of the Poison Centre’s activities, in particular to respond to requests for assistance in the event of exposure.
A voluntary submission is therefore a preventive measure that facilitates access to the information needed in an emergency situation and contributes to appropriate medical management.
4. How should you proceed?
Voluntary submissions must be made using the harmonised notification format for poison centres (PCN format) provided for in Annex VIII to the CLP Regulation.
The company wishing to make a voluntary submission must prepare and submit the required information in accordance with the procedures established by ECHA. The notification can, in particular, be prepared in IUCLID and submitted via the ECHA Submission Portal.
When preparing the PCN notification, please select the “Voluntary submission” option under “Submission type”. This selection ensures that the notification is correctly identified as a voluntary submission.
The company making the submission remains responsible for the accuracy of the information provided and for updating it when the information changes.
5. Fee
Voluntary submissions are not subject to the fee provided for under Belgian legislation for mandatory notifications.
It is therefore important to correctly select the “Voluntary submission” option under “Submission type” when submitting the notification, so that these products are not included in the list that the Poison Centre is legally required to transmit each year to the FPS Public Health for the calculation of this fee.
6. Useful links
Legal framework and CLP guidance
Consult the legislation and guidance documents relating to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) on the ECHA website.
ECHA tools for poison centre notifications
ECHA provides the tools required to prepare and submit notifications, including the PCN format, IUCLID, the UFI Generator and the Submission Portal.
Version 10/2026