U.S. WERCS registration is a critical compliance step for products entering the North American market (particularly major retailers such as Walmart and Costco). Below is a comprehensive analysis based on the latest information:

I. Core Concepts of WERCS Registration

  1. Definition and Background
    WERCS stands forWorldwide Environmental Regulatory Compliance Solutions, a global supply chain safety management system under UL Solutions, focused on assessing chemical substance compliance and environmental risks of products.ulsolutions.com.cn. Its core function is to help retailers quickly obtain product safety data (e.g., SDS reports) and ensure products comply with North American regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA, DOT, etc.) during transport, storage, and disposal.。
  2. Scope of Application
    The following products require mandatory registration:

    • Batteries and battery-containing products (lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries only)

    • Chemicals (cleaning products, cosmetics, pesticides, etc.)

    • Electronic Products (devices containing circuit boards or copper wiring)

    • Aerosols, Liquids, or Everyday Products Containing Chemical Substances
      In addition, retailers such as Walmart may expand the registration scope according to their own policies, for instance requiring tool kits, toys, etc., to submit assessments.

II. Registration Process and Key Steps

  1. Account Creation and Supplier ID Binding

    • Visit theWERCSmart Official Website, register using a corporate email; the system automatically generates a Freshdesk support account.。

    • A Walmart Vendor ID must be linked; multiple retailer IDs can be added.。

  2. Material Preparation and Data Submission

    • English/French SDS report compliant with GHS standards (if unavailable, authoring services can be purchased through UL WERCS).

    • Product composition list, UN number (transport classification), UPC code, etc.

    • Battery products must additionally provide a UN38.3 test report.

    • Required Documents：

    • Submission Process：在平台选择产品类型（如 “Formulated Products”），填写信息并上传文件，系统自动触发合规性评估。

  3. Review and Fee Payment

    • Subscription-Based Pricing：按产品数量划分档次（如 “Up to 25 件” 年费约 6,000 美元），不按单个产品计费。

    • Additional Fees: Third-party formula registration, SDS authoring, etc., require additional payment.。

    • 审核周期: Typically 3-7 business days; complex products (e.g., those containing pesticide ingredients) may extend to 2 weeks.

    • Fee Structure：

    • Payment Method: Credit card or wire transfer accepted; fees are calculated on an annual basis from the subscription effective date.

  4. UPC Authorization and Status Tracking
    审核通过后，产品将分配唯一的 UPC/SKU 编码，供零售商识别。供应商可在平台查看注册状态（如 “Approved” 或 “On Hold”），并接收法规更新通知ulsolutions.com.cn。

III. 2025 Latest Developments and Notes

  1. Regulatory Updates and Industry Trends

    • Chemical Assessment Refinement: Retailers such as Walmart require more detailed ingredient data, including microbead content, to comply with local environmental regulations.

    • Enhanced Battery Management: Products containing lithium batteries must register battery components separately, and the UN38.3 report must be the latest version.

    • Third-Party Formula Collaboration: If a product uses an external supplier's formula (e.g., fragrances, polymers), coordinate with the formulator to create a confidential registration through WERCSmart.

  2. Fee and Subscription Strategy

    • Subscription Tier Selection：建议根据年度产品发布计划选择 “Up to 10” 或 “Up to 50” 等档次，避免超量导致额外费用。

    • Annual Fee System: The registration validity period starts from the initial payment date, not the product approval date; renewal timing must be planned in advance.

  3. Third-Party Service Providers
    If agency services are needed, you may partner with UL-certified testing organizations such as NTEK (North Testing Energy), which provide one-stop services from UN38.3 testing to registration submission. It is recommended to prioritize service providers with Walmart certification experience to improve approval rates.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions and Compliance Recommendations

  1. Q: Do all retailers require WERCS registration?
    A: Currently, over 125 retailers, including Walmart, Costco, and Sears, mandate registration. Amazon also requires assessments for certain categories (e.g., batteries).. It is recommended to confirm specific requirements with the buyer before listing products.
  2. Q: What are the consequences of non-registration?
    A: Retailers may reject shipments, impose fines (e.g., Walmart fines up to $5,000 per violation), or suspend supplier qualification.。
  3. Q: How to handle Auto-Recertification?
    A: When regulations are updated (e.g., VOC limit adjustments) or ingredients change, the system triggers re-evaluation. Data must be updated within 30 days; otherwise, products may be delisted.
  4. Q: Is periodic updating of registration information required?
    A: Yes. If product ingredients, packaging, or regulatory standards change, a revision application must be proactively submitted to avoid compliance risks.

V. Contact Information and Resource Support


By following the above steps, enterprises can systematically complete WERCS registration, ensuring smooth product entry into the North American market while mitigating compliance risks. It is recommended to regularly monitor regulatory developments and maintain communication with the UL WERCS team to address evolving market requirements.