What Is WERCS Registration?

WERCS Registration is an intelligent supply chain safety management system designed and developed by The WERCS Company (U.S.) for large and medium-sized retailers. Now a business unit under UL, it serves as a product compliance and safety data management platform connecting retailers and suppliers, aiming to help retailers uniformly and efficiently manage their supplier networks and products.

For lighting products, WERCS Registration is particularly crucial—most modern lighting fixtures contain components such as circuit boards, bulbs, or lithium-ion batteries, which are key regulated objects under WERCS. As safety requirements for products in the North American retail market continue to tighten, WERCS Registration has become an indispensable pass for lighting products to enter this market.

Why Do Lighting Products Need WERCS Registration?

1. Mandatory Requirement for Market Access

Over 100 major North American retailers, including giants like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco, mandate suppliers to complete WERCS Registration. Unregistered lighting products face delisting risks or even customs detention, severely impacting sales.

2. Key Guarantee for Supply Chain Compliance

Through the Chemical Assessment Review Process (CARP), WERCS Registration collects detailed chemical information, allowing retailers to clearly understand product compositions. This not only complies with federal, state, and regional legal requirements but also effectively protects the environment and avoids potential legal risks.

3. Enhance Product Competitiveness

Lighting products with WERCS Registration receive a unique WERCSmart Code, recognized by all partner retailers. This significantly boosts product credibility and competitiveness in the market.

4. Avoid Legal Risks

Selling unregistered products may incur fines of thousands of US dollars per day. Timely WERCS Registration is an effective measure to avoid such penalties.

Scope of Lighting Products Applicable to WERCS Registration

WERCS Registration applies to various types of lighting products, mainly including:

• Bulb-containing lighting: LED lights, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, etc.
• Lithium-ion battery-equipped lighting: Portable LED lights, emergency lights, etc.
• Circuit board-containing lighting: Smart lights, dimmable lights, etc.
• Other electronic lighting equipment: Table lamps, floor lamps, decorative lights, etc.

Note: According to Walmart’s requirements, the definition of "battery-containing products" includes any product or product component that contains a battery, all of which must be submitted for WERCS Registration.

Detailed WERCS Registration Process for Lighting Products

Stage 1: Preparatory Stage (1–2 Weeks)

1. Determine Registration Type

Based on the lighting product’s sales model, select the applicable registration type:

• Battery Registration (not directly sold to retailers): Applicable if the lighting has a built-in battery without an independent UPC/GTIN code.
• Complete Product Registration (directly sold to retailers): Applicable if the entire lighting product is sold directly to retailers.

2. Prepare Core Documents

Gather the full set of materials required for WERCS Registration:

• Color product photos: Clearly showing product appearance.
• WERCS registration application form: Fully filled with product-related information.
• Composition analysis table: Detailed list of all product components.
• UN38.3 test report: Required for lithium-ion battery-equipped lighting (battery safety performance test report).
• English/French SDS report: Safety Data Sheet compliant with GHS standards.
• High-definition logistics packaging photos: Required for lithium-ion battery-equipped lighting (including packaging with UN marks).

Stage 2: Registration Execution (2–3 Weeks)

1. Battery Information Registration (if applicable)

If the lighting uses third-party batteries, the battery supplier must first register battery information in the WERCSmart system and add their name to the WERCS battery supplier list.

2. Complete Product Registration

When registering the lighting in the WERCSmart system, the supplier must select the included battery information and link it to the battery supplier’s data.

3. Platform Review

After submitting complete materials, the WERCS platform conducts a review. For lithium-ion battery-equipped lighting, the review cycle is typically around 3 weeks.

Stage 3: Acquisition & Maintenance

1. Obtain WERCSmart Code

Upon approval, the product receives a lifetime-valid WERCSmart Code, enabling direct access to all partner retailers and simplifying subsequent sales processes.

2. Information Update & Maintenance

Timely update relevant information in the WERCS system if the product undergoes changes, ensuring data accuracy and timeliness.

Detailed Key Materials for Lighting WERCS Registration

1. Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

The SDS is a core document for WERCS Registration, must comply with GHS standards, and include the following key information:

• Product identification: Product name, model, and intended use.
• Composition information: CAS numbers, mass percentages, and functional attributes of all chemical substances.
• Hazard identification: Physical and health hazard information.
• Physical/chemical properties: Boiling point, flash point, autoignition temperature, etc.

2. UN38.3 Test Report

For lithium-ion battery-equipped lighting (if applicable), a valid UN38.3 test report is mandatory, covering 8 safety tests:

• Altitude simulation test
• Thermal test
• Vibration test
• Shock test
• External short circuit test
• Impact/crush test
• Overcharge test
• Forced discharge test

3. Product Composition Analysis Table

The table must accurately specify the CAS numbers, mass percentages, and functional attributes of all product components. For lighting products, special attention should be paid to detailed composition information of circuit boards, bulbs, and batteries.

Registration Notes

1. Data Accuracy

Ensure all submitted information is accurate, especially composition data and CAS numbers. Any errors may lead to registration failure or subsequent legal risks.

2. Timeliness Management

WERCS Registration requires processing time. Plan in advance before product launch to reserve sufficient registration time and avoid delaying market entry.

3. Change Management

Promptly update WERCS registration information if there are changes to the lighting’s design, formula, or suppliers, ensuring system data aligns with the actual product.

4. Subscription Fee Management

WERCS Registration adopts a subscription-based pricing model. Fees range from hundreds to thousands of US dollars, depending on the number of products and service level. The subscription is valid for one year from the first payment date and must be renewed before expiration.

Our Service Advantages

1. Professional Technical Team

Our engineers are well-versed in lighting technical characteristics and WERCS registration requirements, providing accurate technical guidance and problem-solving solutions to ensure a smooth and efficient registration process.

2. Rich Project Experience

We have successfully provided WERCS registration services for numerous lighting enterprises. Familiar with key links and common issues in the registration process, we help enterprises effectively avoid risks and improve the one-time pass rate.

3. One-Stop Registration Service

We offer end-to-end services from pre-consultation, document preparation, and system registration to post-maintenance, covering WERCS registration needs for both complete lighting products and battery systems.

4. Rapid Response Mechanism

We commit to responding to customer inquiries immediately, providing targeted solutions and recommendations. By optimizing processes, we significantly shorten the registration cycle.

5. Global Certification Support

In addition to WERCS registration, we provide other international certification services required for lighting products, helping customers’ products fully enter global markets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How long is WERCS Registration valid?A: The WERCSmart Code is valid for life, but relevant information must be updated promptly if the product changes. Note that WERCS Registration uses a subscription model, and annual platform usage fees are required.

Q: What if the registration review fails?A: If the review fails, our technical team will provide detailed problem analysis and revision suggestions, assisting customers in improving materials before re-submission.

Q: Do all lighting products need WERCS Registration?A: Not all lighting products require registration—it mainly depends on product composition and retailer requirements. Generally, lighting containing batteries, circuit boards, or specific chemical substances needs registration.

Q: Can one WERCSmart Code be used for multiple products?A: Each product requires independent registration and a unique WERCSmart Code. Sharing one code across multiple products is not allowed.

Lighting WERCS Registration is a crucial link for entering the North American market. As North American retailers tighten product safety requirements, completing WERCS Registration has become an inevitable choice for lighting enterprises. A sound registration strategy not only ensures compliant product launch but also serves as an effective way to enhance competitiveness and gain international market trust.

If you have any questions about lighting WERCS Registration or need related services, please feel free to contact Guangdong Energy Storage Testing Technology Co., Ltd.! Our professional team will provide you with detailed technical consulting and personalized registration solutions to safeguard your products’ smooth entry into the North American market.