"We just wanted to update them and get UFI codes for their different names."
This is one of the most frequent questions we receive when clients update their product line or brand strategy. It’s simple on the surface but has layers when it comes to regulatory implications.
So, can you use the same UFI for products with different names?
The short answer: yes, but it depends.
If the formula and composition are 100% identical, and only the name changes, you're generally allowed to use the same UFI — especially when these changes reflect branding or market segmentation.
However, it’s not always straightforward:
- Authorities in different EU countries may interpret product identity differently.
- Use context matters: Is the product for consumers, professionals, or industrial use?
- Label consistency: The new product with the same UFI must still match the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), label, and PCN submission.
Our advice: If you're launching a renamed product under the same formula, but in different markets or use categories, it might be safer — and often smarter — to assign a separate UFI. It avoids confusion, supports traceability, and simplifies communication with Poison Notification Centres. Further, you hide the fact it is the same product, sold under a different brand or trade name.
My bonus tip: Managing these changes is much easier with tools like Chemius, where everything stays connected and auditable.
Have any more questions – send it to me at Luka.Rifelj@bens-consulting.eu.
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