With the global boom in energy storage and power tools, lithium-ion battery products have become top sellers in major North American retail chains.However, market entry barriers are extremely high.

Leading retailers including Costco, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot have built strict supply chain compliance systems to avoid massive product liability risks.For manufacturers, if you want your power banks, power tool battery packs, portable power stations, vacuum batteries, and other products on their shelves,WERCS Registration and UL Certification are two mandatory, non-negotiable requirements.

This practical guide breaks down the full compliance process for lithium batteries entering major North American retail channels.

1. Core Requirement: WERCS Registration

In North American retail, WERCS is unavoidable.It is a supply chain compliance platform managed by a leading US third-party data management firm.

What is WERCS?

WERCS is a centralized compliance evaluation system used by top retailers including Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Target.Retailers do not directly audit your product; instead, they require you to register in the WERCS system.Only products marked “Green Light” in WERCS are approved for shelf placement.

Key WERCS Requirements for Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries are classified as Class 9 Dangerous Goods, so WERCS strictly verifies:

• UN 38.3 Test ReportMandatory transport safety certification, issued by a CNAS / ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

• UL Certification / Test DataTypically requires UL 1642 (cells), UL 2054 (battery packs), UL 2271 (LEV batteries), or UL 2580 (EV batteries).

• SDS (Safety Data Sheet)Must comply with OSHA HazCom 2012 (GHS classification).

• Manufacturer InformationLegal factory address, plant code, and insurance documentation.

Timeline & Maintenance

• Processing Time: 2–4 weeks with complete documentation.
• Annual Fee: WERCS charges an annual maintenance fee. Expired subscriptions result in automatic delisting from retail systems.

2. Safety Certification: UL Standards & North American Approval

If WERCS is your entry ticket, UL Certification is your product’s safety lifeline.Virtually all major North American retailers mandate UL or equivalent NRTL certification for lithium batteries.

UL Standard Framework for Lithium Batteries

Different products require different UL standards:

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Why Retailers Only Accept UL

Home Depot, Lowe’s, and similar DIY retailers face extreme product liability exposure.UL is an NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) recognized by OSHA and serves as critical legal evidence in product liability cases.

Note: CE or CB certifications are NOT sufficient.You must obtain cTUVus or UL Mark from an NRTL-accredited lab.

3. Chemical & Environmental Compliance: SDS & Proposition 65

Lithium batteries must also meet environmental and chemical regulations for retail placement.

California Proposition 65

If your products are sold in California (or national chains like Costco that enforce nationwide Prop 65 compliance),your label must include clear warnings for phthalates, BPA, or heavy metals if applicable.

SDS (Safety Data Sheet)

A required attachment for WERCS.SDS must include accurate GHS classification, UN number, and ecotoxicological data.Generic online templates often fail WERCS validation due to inconsistent data.

4. Retail-Specific Compliance Strategies

While Costco, Home Depot, and Lowe’s all use WERCS, each has unique 审核 priorities:

Costco

• Focus: Product liability insurance and continuous UL compliance.
• Strategy: Requires annual UL certification follow-up. Any design or cell changes must be reported in advance.

Home Depot & Lowe’s

• Focus: Strict review for power tool batteries and outdoor power equipment.
• Strategy:
  • FCC Certification required for EMC/EMI performance.
  • Packaging must meet ASTM D4169 (transport packaging performance) with short-circuit protection design.

5. Common Reasons for WERCS & Certification Failure

• Using UL 1642 (cell report) to replace UL 2054 / UL 2271 (battery pack or final product).
• Outdated UN38.3 reports or mismatched manufacturer name/address.
• Inconsistent chemical composition between SDS and actual product.
• Unauthorized changes to cell suppliers or BMS design after certification, leading to failed retail audits and blacklisting.

6. Conclusion

Getting lithium batteries into North American retail requires a full-chain compliance system:Cell Safety (UL 1642) → Battery Pack Safety (UL 2054/2271/2743) → Transport Safety (UN38.3) → WERCS Registration → Environmental Compliance (Prop 65 / SDS).

As a professional third-party testing and certification body, we provide a one-stop solution:

• Local testing with CNAS / ISO 17025 accreditation for full UL test reports.
• WERCS registration support tailored to major retail requirements.
• Supply chain and factory audit support to meet retail quality standards.

If you are preparing lithium battery products for North American retail channels,contact us for a detailed testing quote and registration guidance.