In today’s era of increasingly refined global retail systems, WERCSmart certification has become an essential passport for battery products to access international mainstream sales channels, serving as a key link in achieving transparent and compliant supply chain management.

As global retail industries continue to raise requirements for product safety and compliance, battery products—special commodities involving safe transportation and environmental compliance—face increasingly stringent market access conditions. WERCSmart certification, a supply chain safety management system for large and medium-sized retailers, has become a mandatory compliance requirement for battery products to enter North American and global mainstream retail markets, and an indispensable key link in the internationalization strategy of battery enterprises.

I. Core Value of WERCSmart Certification

WERCSmart is a professional supply chain compliance management platform under UL, designed to help retailers assess the compliance of suppliers’ products and ensure they meet regulatory requirements for environmental protection, transportation, and storage. For battery products, this certification offers multiple core values:

• Market Access Qualification: Over 100 large retail channels in North America mandatorily require battery products to complete WERCS registration; otherwise, products cannot be listed for sale.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Manage product safety data through a unified platform to improve the transparency of supply chain information.
• Risk Mitigation: Unregistered products may face high penalties of thousands of US dollars per day; compliant registration effectively avoids such risks.
• Brand Reputation Enhancement: Products that successfully pass certification are recognized by retailers as safe, reliable, and high-quality, increasing consumer trust.

II. Two Certification Modes for Battery Products

Based on the sales channels and methods of battery products, WERCSmart certification is divided into two distinct modes:

1. Certification for Batteries Not Sold Directly to Retailers

These batteries are mainly used in other electronic products, where the electronic products are sold under independent brands. The batteries themselves do not have UPC/GTIN codes and are registered in the WERCSmart system by battery suppliers. This allows electronic product suppliers to link battery information when registering their own products.

Required information includes: Battery model, capacity, weight, voltage, ingredient list, CAS numbers, shape, color, odor, transportation method, and hazard protection measures.

2. Certification for Batteries Sold Directly to Retailers

These batteries have UPC/GTIN codes and are registered directly in the WERCSmart system. The system transmits relevant information to the downstream retailers specified during registration.

Required information includes: MSDS documents, transportation mode, UPC code, packaging method, weight (in ounces), designated retailer name, retailer contact phone number and email, and qualified supplier ID number.

III. Certification Process and Timeline

The standard WERCSmart certification process consists of three main stages:

1. Prepare Core Materials: Collect and prepare all necessary registration materials to ensure information accuracy and completeness. Key materials include product ingredient analysis reports, complete SDS safety data sheets (compliant with GHS standards), high-resolution images of logistics packaging (including UN labels), and product information questionnaires.

2. Submit for Platform Review: Submit the registration application and relevant documents via the WERCSmart system, where the system conducts an automatic compliance assessment.

   • Certification Timeline: Typically 5–7 working days.
   • Special Note: Lithium batteries require additional submission of test reports such as UN38.3; if this test is needed, the timeline will be extended by 2–3 weeks.

3. Obtain WERCSmart Code: After passing the review, a unique WERCSmart code is issued, which provides direct access to all partner retailers. This code is valid for life but requires supplementary filing when the product is updated.

IV. Key Materials Required for Battery Product Certification

The following key materials must be prepared for WERCSmart certification of battery products:

Product Basic Information

• Color photos of the product
• Fully completed application form
• Product information questionnaire

Technical Documents

• SDS safety data sheet (in English or French, compliant with the latest GHS standards)
• Ingredient analysis sheet (including CAS numbers for each ingredient)
• UN38.3 report (mandatory for lithium batteries)

Packaging and Transportation Information

• High-resolution images of logistics packaging (including UN labels)
• Packaging method and weight (in ounces)
• Transportation information and related documents

V. Common Challenges and Solutions

During the WERCSmart certification process for battery products, enterprises often encounter the following challenges, along with corresponding solutions:

• Inadequate Material Preparation: Ensure all documents comply with the latest GHS standards and that ingredient information is accurate and complete.
• Review Rejection: Professional teams can help avoid common review rejection issues and accelerate the review process.
• Formula Confidentiality Needs: The system provides strict information security measures to ensure confidential information is not leaked.
• Multi-Retailer Requirements: One certification is applicable to multiple retailers, reducing duplicate work.

VI. Advantages of Choosing Professional Certification Services

Given the complexity and professionalism of the WERCSmart certification process, selecting an experienced testing and certification service provider offers distinct advantages:

• Professional teams fill in data and submit applications on behalf of clients, avoiding common review rejection issues.
• Real-time synchronization of progress throughout the process ensures transparency and controllability of the certification process.
• One-stop solutions, including supporting services such as SDS document preparation and UN38.3 testing.
• Technical consultation and support to address various technical issues during certification.
• Global recognition, ensuring certification results are widely accepted internationally.

VII. Future Development Trends

As global retail industries continue to raise product compliance requirements, the WERCSmart certification system is also constantly evolving:

• Expanded Coverage: Gradually expanding from large retailers to small and medium-sized enterprises.
• Stricter Requirements: Continuous improvements to requirements for product safety and environmental compliance.
• Digital Management: Realizing more efficient compliance management through digital platforms.
• Global Application: Gradually expanding from the North American market to other global markets.

WERCSmart certification has become an essential condition and core competitive advantage for battery products to enter international mainstream retail markets. As global retail giants continue to raise product compliance requirements, the importance of this certification is becoming increasingly prominent. For battery manufacturers and traders, fully recognizing the importance of WERCSmart certification, planning certification strategies in advance, and selecting professional and reliable partners are key measures to ensure products successfully enter the international market.