WERCSmart Tips

Updated 2 years ago ​by Merch Transformation Change Management

Q: I don’t have all the information WERCS is asking for; where can I find this data?

A: Check with your research and development and/or logistics/transportation departments. Also, a majority of the information will be available via the SDS. 

Q: I have multiple UPCs for a product that comes in different sizes and/or colors; do I have to enter each UPC as a separate product registration?

A: No, you can enter one item (e.g., laptop, cell phone, power tool, nail polish, detergent) and associate unlimited UPCs to the item as long as:

  • The various UPCs meet the same transportation regulations (all are fully regulated or all meet the same exception).
  • The item (or battery) has the same formulation.
  • The SDS is applicable to all UPCs (For example, if your item is a formulated product with each UPC having a different scent, the SDS must state that the SDS is applicable to all scents and the UPCs must be identified on the SDS.).
  • For Battery-Containing Products, all UPCs have the same number of batteries/cells in the package.
  • For Battery-Containing Products, for all UPCs, all batteries/cells are packaged in the same way with the batteries/cells (a) contained in the product; or b) shipped with, but not contained in, the product.
  • For Battery Containing Products, the UPCs require the same number of batteries/cells to run the product

For example, when registering nail polish with the same formulation with the only difference being the color, register one nail polish formulation and assign all of the UPCs for all of the different colors to that same registration. You must ensure, however, the SDS includes all colors of nail polishes or all fragrances of detergent under the same SDS. If the fragrance or color is more than 1% of the formulation, that fragrance/color, etc. shouldn't be on the same SDS with other UPCs of the same type of product, and you can't register all UPCs under that same registration with WERCS.

Similarly, if many UPCs contain the same battery, you can register those UPCs under that same battery. For example, in many cases, laptops, cell phones, power tools or light-up apparel will all use the same battery. In this case, you would register one “product” and assign all UPCs using the same battery to one registration. 

Q: How do I forward UPCs already registered with WERCS to Walmart?

A: 

  1. From the left-hand menu, click Forward Product Registration.
  2. Select the Retailer(s) to whom you want to forward the registration.
  3. Enter the registered Product ID you would like to forward (You can do this by WPS ID or Product Name).
  4. Select the products/UPCs.
  5. Check the box on the right-hand side of the page under selected to associate the UPCs with the new retailer.
  6. Add additional UPCs as necessary by clicking add from the grayed-out box. This will open a new box where you can input additional UPCs.
  7. Assign the UPCs to the retailer by clicking select.
  8. Double-check that the email address provided is accurate.
  9. Verify the presented statements are true.
  10. Click submit.
  11. Go to the My Products Page to view the product. Click on the product, click on the cart icon and then checkout. 

Q: How do I add an additional UPC to an existing registration?

A: 

  1. Locate the registration by WPS ID, highlight the applicable registration and click edit UPCs.
  2. Add the UPC here by clicking Add in the shaded gray area on the bottom-left side of the box.
  3. Once added, you will be prompted to assign the assessment to a retailer.
  4. Click save after adding each additional UPC.

Q: I accidentally archived my product registration with WERCS. How do I unarchive that product so it will be active in the WERCS system and can be forwarded to Walmart again?

A: 

  1. The user needs to be an administrator on their WERCSmart account.
  2. Click the My Products tab. Then, click the link Restore Archived Products on the left-hand side.
  3. Find the WPS ID in question and click the Restore button.
Once an account has been converted to the Subscription model, a product may only be obsoleted after a period of two active years in the database. Any archival of products, which are no longer being produced/manufactured, must take place prior to switching the account over to Subscription. ​

Q: Why do energy bars require a WERCS assessment while breakfast bars do not?

A: Energy bars, unlike breakfast bars, often have trace metals as part of the "vitamin" part of the bar, and those may contain “hazardous waste”. Therefore, energy bars need to be assessed for proper disposal. Energy bars are/can also be considered supplements (as they are found generally with the vitamins in the pharmacy section); supplements must also have a WERCS assessment.

 

Q: Is there a way for me to obtain the same type of data WERCS provides to retailers for all of the products I have registered with WERCS?

A: Yes, WERCSmart offers an online tool called UL Secure Connect (ULSC). After submitting your product assessment, ULSC can derive hundreds of reports and data points about your product. You will also be able to download your WERCSmart data. In addition to chemical assessment data, ULSC provides a data repository for all of your product-level information and allows you to order additional documents such as OSHA GHS, EU CLP and China GHS. Other capabilities of ULSC include integration with internal systems such as ERPs or formulation systems, labeling and distribution of documents internally or with your customers. For more information, please send an email to Jon.Pipas@ul.com. 

Q: What are some common issues that lead to delays in completing a WERCS assessment?

A: 

  • Inputting an incorrect UPC (i.e., one that is not recognized by the WERCS system or Walmart’s system) will cause delays in the WERCS assessment and setting the item up on Walmart.com. When registering the product with WERCS, remember to:
    • Exclude the preceding 0s when inputting the UPC.
    • Include the check digit when inputting the UPC.
    • Note that WERCS only accepts 12 or 14 characters for the UPC. If the UPC with the check digit is not 12 or 14 characters, please include a preceding 0 to ensure the UPC contains 12 or 14 characters.
  • When registering a battery-containing product, do NOT select electronics as the Recommended Use. You must select Battery-Containing Product as the Recommended Use.
  • Failing to assign the registration/assessment to Walmart. Remember to choose Walmart as a Retailer when you choose Specific Retailers or Enterprise License, or when forwarding an existing registration to Walmart.
  • You can't register a Battery-Containing Product without the battery manufacturer first registering their battery with WERCS. If you are having trouble identifying or contacting the battery manufacturer, please contact WERCS directly and they will try to help you identify the battery manufacturer and/or contact the battery manufacturer. If you look at the battery and the battery has a UL marking, request that WERCS identify the battery manufacturer for you by providing WERCS with the UL registration numbers contained on the battery.
  • Failing to attach the DSV/distributor’s Walmart Vendor/Supplier ID to the registration. If you are a DSV, remember to ask your vendors who may be registering products on your behalf to “Manage the Supplier ID” function and add your DSV’s/Distributor’s Walmart Supplier/Vendor ID to their account and to the specific UPC(s) they want to assign to you (the DSV/Distributor).
  • Battery selections don't match: Battery-Containing Product Suppliers should be careful to select the correct battery. If you choose lithium ion for the “type” of battery and the battery you select in the system from the battery manufacturer is a lithium primary battery, your registration will be placed on hold until the inconsistency gets resolved.
  • If the battery manufacturer says the battery is fully regulated and the battery-containing product Supplier selects that a transportation exception applies (i.e., the battery-containing product is not fully regulated for transportation purposes), the registration will be placed on hold as this is not a viable option. Suppliers must work with their logistics team and the battery manufacturer to understand how the product is regulated for all modes of transportation before registering the product with WERCS.
  • The SDS provided is not an OSHA-compliant SDS. If the SDS doesn't meet the OSHA requirements, the registration will be placed on hold until the SDS is corrected or one is authored by WERCS (for a fee) to meet the OSHA requirements.
  • Setting up items that require a WERCS assessment with no desire to obtain a WERCS assessment will cause delays in the item setup process for Walmart.com. Suppliers should only set up products that require a WERCS assessment if they intend to obtain the WERCS assessment. Also, the WERCS assessment should occur before trying to set up the item in Walmart’s system. To avoid delays, many DSVs/distributors ask their vendors:
    • If they will assist with registering the products with WERCS (or actually perform the registration with WERCS ); and/or
    • To provide the information required to obtain a WERCS assessment at the time they purchase their products from vendors.
  • Accidentally checking the private label box. Remember, this box should only be checked if Walmart (or another retailer that requires you to register your product with WERCS) asks you to sell your item as a Private Label such as Equate or Mainstays. Some Suppliers think this question refers to whether they are a private label. Suppliers who accidentally check the private label box should submit a ticket explaining this and WERCS will place your product into recertification so the issue can be fixed.
  • If the CAS components in the product formulation don't add up to at least 100%. Please check to make sure that the components equal at least 100% before submitting the product for registration.
If you have questions for Walmart regarding WERCS, please email wercshelp@walmart.com.

Was this article helpful?