Concentration ranges in a PCN explained

Direct answer: You can declare each component either as an exact concentration or within one of the ranges Annex VIII allows. The permitted width of a range depends on the component's hazard: the most hazardous components (for example acute toxicity category 1–3, CMR, STOT SE 1) must use narrow bands, while less hazardous and non-classified components may use wider ones. The bands are fixed; you cannot declare an arbitrary range.

Why ranges exist

To protect trade secrets while giving poison centres enough precision for medical advice. The more dangerous the component, the more precision is required.

Converting an SDS range

An SDS often says "5–10 %" or "≥ 10 – < 25 %". That may or may not coincide with a permitted Annex VIII band for that component's hazard class. If it does not, declare the exact typical concentration or the narrowest permitted band containing it.

Non-classified components

They still have to be declared (name, concentration), but they may be grouped by function (generic component identifiers such as "perfume" or "colourant") within limits, and wide bands are allowed.

Checks the portal makes

Ranges must be in the permitted set, qualifiers must be consistent, and the sum of typical concentrations must be plausible. PCN Ready converts SDS ranges into permitted bands and flags any component that needs a narrower declaration.