In the global expansion landscape, the North American market, boasting a massive consumer base and a mature industrial chain, stands as a crucial target for numerous battery enterprises. To gain a foothold in this market, WERCS registration is an essential milestone. It serves not only as a "passport" for compliant product sales but also as a fundamental prerequisite for establishing partnerships with North American retailers. Drawing on industry - wide practical experience, this article offers a systematic guide to WERCS registration for battery enterprises, covering core registration points, answers to common queries, and cost - control techniques, enabling enterprises to efficiently prepare for market access.

I. Defining the Registration Model: Aligning with Product Sales Channels

WERCS registration requires battery manufacturers to select the appropriate model based on the product's sales approach. Different models have distinct information requirements and operational logics. Enterprises should first clarify their product positioning before initiating the registration process.

1. Non - Direct Retail Model: Registration for Batteries in Supporting Electronic Products

These batteries are mainly installed as components in end - user products such as laptops and smart home devices. They are sold under the brand of the end - user product and do not have their own UPC (Universal Product Code). The core objective of registration is to input battery information into the WERCS system, which can be linked and utilized by the end - product supplier during their subsequent registration, forming a complete supply - chain compliance chain.

Key Documentation Required:

• An SDS (Safety Data Sheet) compliant with international standards, covering key information such as battery composition, hazardous properties, and emergency response measures.
• For lithium - ion battery products, an additional UN38.3 test report is required to prove that the product meets air transportation safety requirements.

2. Direct Retail Model: Registration for Batteries Sold Directly to End - Consumers

These batteries have their own independent UPC codes and need to be registered directly in the WERCS system. The system will automatically synchronize the product's compliance information to designated retailers (such as Walmart, Best Buy, etc.), ensuring the product can be properly shelved for sale.

Key Documentation Required:

• The basic documentation is the same as that for the non - direct retail model (SDS file, UN38.3 report for lithium - ion batteries).
• Additionally, provide the UPC code, a description of the product packaging method (e.g., individual packaging, combined packaging), and the product weight (in ounces).
• New suppliers need to provide an additional qualified supplier ID, the full company name, the name of the partnering retailer, and contact information (phone number and email) for system identity verification and partnership binding.

II. Resolving Common Queries: Avoiding "Pitfalls" in the Registration Process

In the actual registration process, enterprises often experience delays due to unclear understanding of product - related logics and documentation requirements. Here are professional answers to frequently asked questions:

Query 1: When registering finished products with batteries, such as power banks, do I need to register the internal batteries / cells first?

Answer: Operate according to the "component - first" principle. The internal batteries or cells must be registered with WERCS first. After the component information takes effect in the system, submit the finished - product registration application and link the registered battery / cell information. If the component registration is skipped and the finished - product application is directly submitted, the system will reject the application due to "missing component information."

Query 2: When registering finished products with battery packs, should I register the battery pack or the cells first? Which level of UN38.3 report should be provided?

Answer: There is no need to disassemble to the cell level. Only the registration of the battery pack needs to be completed first. The UN38.3 report should be at the battery - pack level, not the cell level. This is because during transportation and use of the finished product, the battery pack is the unit directly bearing safety risks, and compliance needs to be demonstrated with the battery pack as the main body.

Query 3: If battery products are only sold in the US market, what documentation is required under different sales scenarios?

Answer: Differentiate according to "whether it is for retail":

• Non - retail scenarios (e.g., supplied to electronics manufacturers as components): Only need to prepare a UN38.3 report (for lithium - ion batteries) + a bilingual SDS report in English and French.
• Retail scenarios (e.g., sold directly in supermarkets, e - commerce platforms): In addition to the above - mentioned documentation, an additional UPC code recognized by the retailer is required to ensure that the product can be identified by the terminal sales channel.

III. Mastering Precautions: Optimizing Cost and Validity Period Management

WERCS registration adopts a subscription - based charging model. Rational planning of the subscription plan can effectively control costs and avoid compliance lapses due to improper management of the validity period. Here are key precautions:

1. Subscription Charging: Charged by "Tier," Not by Product Quantity

The system sets subscription fees based on "product - quantity tiers" (such as up to 3, up to 25, up to 100, etc.). Enterprises need to select the corresponding tier according to their product quantity. For example, after subscribing to the "up to 25" tier, whether actually registering 1 or 25 products, the fee is charged uniformly at this tier rate, with no additional charges.

2. Information Modification and Product Replacement: "Free Operations" within the Subscription Period

Within the subscription validity period, information of registered products (such as packaging method, weight adjustment) can be modified an unlimited number of times without additional charges.
For products that have been registered for over 1 year and have ceased to be sold in the North American market, the product can be deleted from the system and replaced with a new product for registration, without incurring additional costs.

3. Validity Period Calculation: Starting from the "Subscription Payment Date," Not the "Product Registration Date"

The validity period uniformly starts from the date of the first subscription payment and is valid for 1 year, regardless of the subsequent product registration time. For example, if the "up to 3" tier subscription payment is completed on March 1, 2025, and product A is registered on April 1 and product B on May 1, the validity period of both products expires on March 1, 2026, not one year after their respective registration dates.

4. Subscription Adjustment: Supports Mid - Term Upgrade, and Downgrade Requires Prerequisites

• Upgrade: During the subscription period, an upgrade to a higher tier (e.g., from up to 3 to up to 5) can be applied for at any time. Only the price difference for the remaining subscription period needs to be paid, and the validity period remains unchanged. (For example, if subscribing to up to 3 on January 1, 2025, and upgrading to up to 5 on June 30, only half a year's price difference needs to be paid, and the validity period still expires on December 31, 2025).
• Downgrade: An application needs to be made before the subscription expires. Products exceeding the target tier quantity must be deleted first, and a "product delisted, no inventory" certificate issued by the retailer must be provided to avoid compliance risks due to products still in circulation.

5. Automatic Renewal: Plan in Advance to Avoid the "Arrears Blacklist"

The system defaults to enabling the automatic renewal function. If the account is bound to PayPal or a credit card, it will be automatically debited for renewal upon expiration. If no payment method is bound, the account will enter an arrears state. Long - term arrears will result in the enterprise being blacklisted in the WERCS system, affecting the registration and sales of all subsequent products. Therefore, if the subscription needs to be terminated, a cancellation application should be submitted in the system 30 days before expiration, and the partnering retailer should be notified for synchronous processing.

6. Cost Optimization: Reasonably Select the Subscription Tier According to Product Quantity

The higher the subscription tier, the lower the average cost per product. Enterprises can select an appropriate tier based on their product plans for the next year (such as the expected number of newly registered products) to avoid frequent adjustments to the subscription plan.

IV. Clarifying Documentation and Cycle: Efficiently Completing Registration Preparation

1. Essential Documentation List (General Version)

Regardless of the registration model chosen, enterprises need to prepare the following documentation in advance to ensure a smooth registration process:

• A color photo of the product (clearly showing product appearance, markings, interfaces, etc., with a clean background free of clutter).
• The WERCS system standard application form (truthfully fill in product model, specifications, production address, etc., and affix the company seal).
• A product composition analysis form (list battery positive and negative materials, electrolyte composition, shell material, etc., ensuring consistency with the SDS file).
• A UN38.3 test report (for lithium - ion battery products only).
• A bilingual SDS report in English and French (compliant with GHS standards, containing 16 mandatory items, and issued by an organization with corresponding qualifications).

2. Registration Cycle

Under the premise of complete documentation and accurate information, the WERCS registration cycle is usually 2 - 3 working days. If supplementary materials are required due to missing documentation (such as incomplete SDS report information, expired UN38.3 report), the cycle will be extended accordingly. Enterprises are advised to start preparing documentation 1 - 2 weeks in advance to allow for a buffer.

V. Account Management Recommendations: Ensuring the Security and Convenience of System Operations

1. Multiple Administrator Settings: Avoiding the "Single - Person Dependence" Risk

It is recommended to add 1 - 2 backup administrators to the account and assign operation permissions (such as document upload, information modification, subscription management). If the main administrator leaves the company or the account has an abnormality, the backup administrator can take over operations in a timely manner, preventing registration progress from being affected by account stagnation.

2. One - Enterprise - One - Account: Avoiding Information Chaos

An enterprise should preferably open only one WERCS account to centrally manage all product registration information. If multiple accounts are opened, it is easy to lead to scattered product information, duplicate subscription fees, and is not conducive to establishing a unified cooperation identity with retailers, increasing later - stage management costs.

Conclusion: Laying the Foundation of Compliance to Seize the Initiative in the North American Battery Market

WERCS registration is not merely a "procedural task" but a "compliance cornerstone" for enterprises entering the North American market. From clarifying the registration model to optimizing the subscription plan, from preparing documentation to account management, precise operation of each link can help enterprises reduce time costs and avoid compliance risks. For battery enterprises, completing WERCS registration as early as possible can not only quickly open up North American sales channels but also build brand trust through compliance, laying the foundation for long - term market expansion.

If enterprises require professional technical support during the registration process (such as SDS report preparation, UN38.3 testing, system operation guidance), they can choose to cooperate with qualified third - party certification agencies, such as Energy Storage Testing, leveraging their experience to improve registration efficiency and ensure seamless product compliance and market access.