WERCS Battery Registration Guide

The full name of wercs is Worldwide Environmental Regulatory Compliance Solutions, established by The WERCS company in the United States and currently owned by UL Solutions. It is a supply chain product data registration system tailored for major North American retailers. Suppliers submit information such as product ingredients, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and transportation classifications via the WERCSmart platform. The system automatically verifies regulatory compliance and generates a unique product registration number (WERCS-ID or WPS number), with data synchronized directly to the retailers' procurement systems.

Key Reminders

1.Nature of WERCS: WERCS is not a third-party testing project, nor is it an official certification mark. The platform does not issue certificates.

2.Core Function: Its core is a product data registration process. The primary deliverable is the unique product registration number (WERCS-ID / WPS number).

3.Purpose: Enables retailers to access and query compliance data—such as product ingredients, transportation classification, hazard information, and disposal recommendations—during procurement.

Terminology Overview

1.WERCSmart: The official platform name of WERCS and the operational backend where suppliers complete registrations. Website: ulwercsmart.com.

2.WERCS-ID / WPS Number: The unique number assigned by the system upon successful product registration. Retailers use this number to retrieve compliance information from the WERCS database.

3.SDS / MSDS: Safety Data Sheet, disclosing product chemical composition, CAS numbers, hazard classifications, emergency measures, and all 16 standardized section details.

4.un38.3: Section 38.3 of Part III of the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, outlining the eight transport safety testing standards for lithium batteries. It is a mandatory document required by the WERCS system for lithium battery products.

5.TSD: Test Summary Document, provided alongside shipments when registering lithium batteries in the WERCS system.

WHY: Why wercs registration is Necessary

Retailer compliance requirements, essential market access, and high costs of non-compliance.

Market Access

Mandatory threshold for North American retail channels

Over 100 North American retailers—including Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Target, Best Buy, Sam's Club, and Staples—make WERCS registration a prerequisite for supplier listing. Unregistered products cannot enter procurement systems.

Regulatory Alignment

Comprehensive coverage of multi-jurisdictional regulations

Built-in evaluation logic aligns with US DOT, EPA, California Proposition 65, Canadian SOR, and multiple other regulations to evaluate full lifecycle risks across storage, transportation, sales, emergency spill responses, and waste disposal.

Customs Clearance Efficiency

Provision of SDS data to prevent cargo detention

Fully discloses product ingredients and transport classifications. Customs and carriers can retrieve SDS data via the WERCS-ID, avoiding cargo delays or rejections caused by missing documentation.

Risk Mitigation

Avoiding retailer fines and product delisting

Unregistered products face potential penalties of thousands of dollars per day during retailer spot-checks or routine compliance audits, along with immediate removal from shelves.

Major North American Retailers Partnering with WERCS (Partial List)

Note: Specific product category requirements for each retailer are subject to the latest published retailer compliance policies.

SCOPE: Applicable Product Categories for WERCS Registration

Products containing chemicals, batteries, or hazardous substances are generally within the mandatory scope.

Battery Category

Batteries and battery-containing products

Lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, Ni-MH batteries, button cells, alkaline batteries, as well as power banks with built-in batteries, TWS earphones, Bluetooth headsets, power tools, robotic vacuums, hoverboards, energy storage power supplies, etc.

Household Chemicals

Cleaning and chemical daily-use products

Detergents, disinfectants, laundry detergents, hand sanitizers, dishwashing liquids, adhesives, air fresheners, auto care products, etc.

Paints & Aerosols

Paints, coatings, and aerosol spray cans

Wall paints, wood finishes, oil paints, adhesives, pesticide aerosol cans, spray paints, lubricant aerosols, etc.

Personal Care & Health

Cosmetics and personal care items

Cosmetics, skincare products, essential oils, OTC over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, etc.

Agricultural & Gardening

Pesticides and lawn care items

Pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, gardening fertilizers, etc.

Electrical & Electronics

Electrical products with circuit boards

Electrical equipment containing PCB circuit boards, chips, copper wires, and other electronic components; mercury-containing products such as fluorescent lamps, HVAC, switches, thermostats; products containing compressed gases or free-flowing liquids.

Common categories NOT requiring WERCS registration: General apparel, general food items, pure solid wood furniture, and pure metal non-electrical tools (subject to specific retailer policies).

DOCUMENTS: Mandatory Document Checklist for WERCS Registration

Lithium battery requirements are the strictest; model consistency is critical.

Mandatory Documents for Lithium Batteries and Battery-Containing Products

Mandatory Documents for Non-Battery Chemicals

MODES: Registration Modes — Component Mode vs. Retail Mode

Different sales scenarios require different document inputs.

Key Rules: Battery First, Host Device Second

1.Battery-Powered Electronic Devices Cannot Be Registered Directly: The battery supplier must first register the battery model separately and obtain a WPS number. The host device manufacturer then links this battery ID during host device registration. Reversing this sequence will result in direct system rejection.

2.One SKU Registration Per Battery Model: A change in key parameters (voltage, capacity, material, etc.) is considered a new model and requires a new registration.

PROCESS: WERCS Registration Workflow

Online process completed in five steps from registration to listing.

Step 1: Create Corporate Account

Register a supplier account on the official WERCSmart website using a corporate email address. UL mandates that each company can only hold one account.

Step 2: Select Subscription Tier

Choose one of the 14 subscription tiers based on SKU count (1 / 3 / 5 / 7 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 37 / 50 / 75 / 100 / 150 / 200) and pay the annual fee.

Step 3: Add Product & Upload Documents

Select the product category, fill in physical/chemical parameters and transport information, and upload documents including SDS, composition sheets, product photos, and UN38.3 reports.

Step 4: System + Manual Review

The system automatically checks data consistency between SDS and composition sheets; UL manual QC conducts compliance verification. Discrepancies turn status red, requiring corrections and resubmission.

Step 5: Obtain WPS Number

Upon passing review, the system generates a WPS number (unique product registration number). Data automatically synchronizes with retailers, making the product ready for retail listing.

Review Timeline Reference:

1.Standard Products (Complete Documents): 5–7 business days or 1–2 weeks

2.Battery Products (Including UN38.3 Review): 7–15 business days (approx. 3–4 weeks)

3.Multiple Document Rejections: May prolong processing to 2–3 weeks or longer

FEE: Fee Structure — Subscription Tier + Single-Product Registration Fee

Annual fee based on SKU tiers, not charged individually per physical unit.

14-Tier SKU Subscription System

Note: Product details can be modified unlimited times during the valid subscription period. Products registered for over one year can be deleted and replaced with other products at no additional charge. Product detail updates within the subscription period incur no extra fee.

Lithium Battery WERCS Registration Cost Reference

Renewal and Expiration Rules

1.Subscription validity runs for one year starting from the initial payment date, not from the product registration date;

2.If subscription fees are not renewed upon expiration, the account will be canceled, all WPS numbers will become invalid in retailer systems, and products will be delisted;

3.Each company is restricted to registering only one corporate WERCSmart account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WERCS?

The official platform name of WERCS is WERCSmart (Worldwide Environmental Regulatory Compliance Solutions). Created by The WERCS company in the US and currently owned by UL Solutions, it is a supply chain product data registration platform for North American retailers. Suppliers upload product ingredients, Safety Data Sheets (SDS/MSDS), and transport details on WERCSmart. The system automatically verifies regulatory compliance and generates a WERCS registration number (also called a WPS number), which automatically synchronizes with retailers.

Is WERCS a certification? Does it issue a certificate?

WERCS is not a certification, nor is it a testing project, and the platform does not issue certificates. The output of WERCSmart is a unique product registration number (WERCS-ID or WPS number), representing a data registration process. Its function is to allow retailers to view compliance data such as product composition, transport classification, and hazard information in their procurement systems.

Which retailers require WERCS registration?

Currently, over 100 North American retail channels partner with WERCSmart and require supplier registration, including: Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Sam's Club, Best Buy, Target, Staples, and more. Specific requirements for product categories vary by retailer and are subject to each retailer's latest published policy.

What documents are required for lithium battery WERCS registration?

Core documents for lithium battery WERCS registration include: UN38.3 test report (mandatory for lithium batteries), Test Summary Document (TSD), GHS-standard SDS Safety Data Sheet (English version for US, bilingual English-French for Canada), Full Component Analysis Sheet (including CAS numbers and mass percentages), product photos, packaging photos, UPC barcode, and battery specification sheet (voltage, capacity, Wh, UN number, etc.).

What is the fee structure for WERCS registration?

WERCS registration utilizes a combination of Platform Annual Subscription Fee + Single-Product Registration Fee + Pre-requisite Testing & SDS Authoring Fees. Platform subscriptions are divided into 14 tiers based on SKU count: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 37, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200. Unlimited modifications are allowed during the subscription term; products registered for over one year can be deleted and replaced; subscription validity runs for one year from initial payment. UN38.3 test report fees vary by battery spec, while SDS authoring and third-party agency service fees depend on market pricing.

Does WERCS registration have an expiration date? What happens if it is not renewed?

The WERCS subscription validity is one year, calculated from the date of the initial subscription payment. If not renewed upon expiration, the account will be canceled, all WPS numbers will laPSE in retailer systems, and products will be removed from retail channels. Re-activating subscription restores product status; modifications to product details are unlimited during an active subscription term.

How do I register a finished device containing a battery?

The registration sequence is battery first, host device second: The battery supplier must first register the battery model separately to obtain a WPS number. The host device supplier then links this battery WPS number when registering the host device. Reversing this order will result in immediate system rejection. One SKU registration corresponds to one battery model; changes to key parameters such as voltage, capacity, or material classify it as a new model requiring re-registration.

Pre-Testing

UN38.3 Eight Testing Items

Provides full T.1–T.8 transport safety testing services for lithium batteries, issuing UN38.3 test reports and Test Summary Documents (TSD) that conform to WERCS system requirements.

Document Compilation

GHS Standard SDS Authoring

Provides Safety Data Sheet compilation services compliant with GHS standards, covering all 16 standard sections, supporting US English and Canadian bilingual English-French versions.

Agency Services

WERCS Document Handling & Submission Support

Provides agent services including document organization, file verification, account management, and workflow submission to shorten registration cycles and minimize rejection risks.

Supporting Tests

UL / CB Battery Safety Testing

Provides testing reports for battery safety standards such as UL 1642, UL 2054, UL 1973, and UL 2743, boosting WERCS review approval rates and retailer acceptance.

Capability Scope Statement: JJR LAB is an accredited third-party testing agency holding CNAS L13753 / CMA (202019014977) qualifications. We provide supporting services required for WERCS registration, including UN38.3 test reports, SDS compilation, and application file preparation. WERCS platform subscriptions and official registration operations remain subject to official UL Solutions procedures; we assist clients in connecting with the platform and submitting required documents.

One-Stop Compliance Support for Lithium Battery WERCS Registration

UN38.3 Testing + GHS Standard SDS + Document Agency & Process Support

Helping your lithium batteries and battery-powered products enter North American retail channels swiftly.