How To Be WERCS Compliant

Danielle Gloy

By Danielle Gloy, Content Writer

Last Updated June 3, 2025

7 min read

In this article, learn about: 

  • What WERCS is 

  • Which retailers require WERCS compliance 

  • How to register and submit products 

  • How to maintain WERCS compliance over time  

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In the past few years, retailers have placed a growing emphasis on environmental and regulatory compliance, especially for products that include chemicals or hazardous materials. For suppliers, staying aligned to their retailer’s compliance expectations means understanding WERCS

WERCS system is designed to assist retailers like Walmart, Publix, The Home Depot, Target, etc. in product onboarding and compliance. Without WERCS compliance, products in certain product categories may be blocked from item setup, delayed during onboarding, or rejected entirely. 

What Is WERCS? 

WERCS, which stands for Worldwide Environmental and Regulatory Compliance Solutionsis a system that gathers and organizes important information about a product, specifically if the product contains chemicals or any hazardous content. WERCs checks how safe the product is, how it affects the environment, and whether or not it meets legal rules.  

Example of WERCS process


WERCSmart example of its process 

Suppliers use WERCSmart, a software managed by UL Solutions, to handle WERCS product registrations. Instead of sending the same information to each store, suppliers only need to enter their product details once. WERCS then shares that data with all participating retailers, which saves time and reduces errors. 

While WERCS facilitates compliance, it is important to note that WERCS itself does not approve or reject products. Instead, it provides retailers with structured data to support their internal review processes. Retailers make final decisions based on their own standards and category-specific requirements. 

Why Retailers Require WERCS 

Retailers utilize WERCS to comply with federal, state, and internal regulatory standards. These may include OSHA’s Hazard Communication StandardGHS (Globally Harmonized System)EPA regulations, and internal chemical management programs. 

Below are examples of how leading retailers use WERCS: 

  • Publix: Uses WERCS to validate product safety and screen for hazardous materials. 

  • The Home Depot: Integrates WERCS data as part of its item onboarding process, particularly for household and DIY products. 

  • Target: Relies on WERCS to support its chemical policy and sustainability goals, specifically for “formulated” products. 

Each retailer uses WERCS a little differently, but the main goal of safer products and clean information is the same.  

Which Products Require WERCS Compliance? 

Not all products require WERCS submission. However, if a product includes chemical compounds or comes with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), WERCS is likely required. Categories that commonly require registration include: 

  • Household cleaning products 

  • Aerosol sprays and pressurized containers 

  • Paints, solvents, adhesives, and sealants 

  • Automotive chemicals and fluids 

  • Batteries, especially lithium-ion 

  • Personal care and cosmetic products with active ingredients 

  • Pest control and insecticides 

  • Fragrance-containing or flammable items 

Retailers will typically flag the need for WERCS compliance during the item setup process. However, it is best practice for suppliers to proactively assess whether a product falls within these categories prior to initiating setup. 

How to Register and Submit to WERCS 

The WERCS compliance process begins with registration and submission through the UL WERCSmart portal.  

Step 1: Create a WERCSmart Account 
Visit ulwercsmart.com to register your company and begin the product submission process. 

Step 2: Enter Product Information 
Suppliers will be required to fill out detailed product level information, such as: 

  • Product type 

  • Safety documents, labels and testing documents/certificates 

  • Full chemical formulation, including ingredient percentages and CAS numbers 

  • Physical and chemical properties 

  • Packaging type and material composition 

  • UPCS  

  • Transportation Information 

Step 3: Pay Registration Fees 
WERCSmart offers a limited, standard, and premium subscription price list which depends on how many products you register for and how many retailers you’re selling through. Base prices for their limited plan include $440 for formulated products, $352 for enhanced articles, and $77 for articles. The more products registered, the more the product rates are reduced.  

Step 4: Submit and Share Data 
Once a product is registered in WERCSmart, it goes through two stages of quality control: automation assessment and human assessment. First, the system checks that the data in the registration matches the safety documents and certifications provided. If everything is consistent, the results are automatically approved and sent to retail partners. If there are inconsistencies—such as mismatched ingredient data or entry errors—the registration is flagged for manual review by a UL specialist. When all the required information is entered, WERCS generates regulatory documentation and transmits the product record to selected retailers for their internal review. 

WERCS assessment review example

WERCSmart example of product registration assessment  

Step 5: Retailer Validation 

Each retailer will review the information in their own system. If everything looks good, they’ll approve the product and allow suppliers to continue setup and sourcing. If not, the retailer may require additional documentation to be provided.  

For example, Walmart will not let you complete item setup in Supplier One until WERCS compliance is confirmed. 

Related Reading: How to Do Item Setup in Supplier One 

Timeline and Review Expectations 

WERCS submissions can range anywhere from a few days to weeks, depending on: 

  • Product complexity 

  • Data completeness 

  • Retailer backlog and review schedules 

Suppliers should plan for this timeline during product launch or refresh cycles. Early submission is recommended to prevent item setup bottlenecks. 

Maintaining Ongoing WERCS Compliance 

WERCS compliance is not a one-time activity. Suppliers will need to stay up to date each year and anytime changes are made.  

Key ongoing requirements include: 

  • Each product must be renewed every 12 months to remain active in the WERCS system. Expired entries may trigger retailer delisting or blocked maintenance requests. 

  • Any change to the product formulation requires a new submission, even if minor. 

  • New retail partners must be added to each product record to authorize WERCS data sharing. 

  • Changes that affect safety, warnings, or physical structure to packaging or label updates may require documentation updates. 

Suppliers are encouraged to maintain internal calendars and assign compliance ownership to get these tasks completed on time. 

Best Practices for WERCS Submission 

To avoid mistakes and delays, here are some helpful tips when submitting your product to WERCS: 

  • Work with your product and legal teams early to collect the correct ingredient information. 

  • Double-check that all chemical codes match the right amounts. 

  • Make sure packaging details—including any smaller packages inside—are listed clearly. 

  • Keep track of which products you’ve submitted and set reminders to renew them every year. 

  • Put one person in charge of WERCS compliance and retailer communication. 

Following these steps helps reduce the risk of non-compliance, delays, or rejections. It also builds trust with retail partners by demonstrating accuracy and preparedness. While the submission process can take time, it supports product safety, regulatory accuracy, and transparent communication across the supply chain. 

Protect Your Business at Walmart    

Deductions and compliance fines are commonplace when selling to any retailer. SupplyPike helps suppliers get paid and get better. Our software tests the validity of deductions, collects proof documentation, and takes disputing a claim down to a few (or zero) clicks.   

Our software also helps suppliers avoid fines by digging into root cause analysis and providing executive-level oversight of the supply chain. Schedule a meeting with a team member to find out if SupplyPike is right for your retail business.   

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