New forms of communication you may receive
In late 2024, a new tool for WERCSmart® retailers was implemented to automate and track the onboarding of new and existing products. Some of the key capabilities include:
- UPC analysis: if existing data for a UPC is not available in WERCSmart, an analysis of the UPC prefix is conducted to determine ownership. If prefix ownership cannot be determined, contact information provided by the retailer may be utilized.
- Outreach and tracking: through WERCSmart, retail letters and accompanying UPC lists are delivered via email to the supplier contacts identified during UPC analysis. Retailers can then track progress through various metrics and determine where follow-ups are needed.
Next steps for suppliers
In the near future, your organization may receive notifications from retailers using these new capabilities. As you engage with specific UPC requests, please refer to the bullets below in case any of the scenarios outlined apply to you.
- I received a request and added the UPC to a new/existing WERCSmart registration.
- Next step: if the UPC is in completed status for the retailer, the retailer can view updates automatically. No further action is required.
- I received a request, but the UPC is one of the following: discontinued, not chemical or battery-containing, or is owned by a different organization.
- Next Step: contact the retailer with this information. If you cannot reach them, the UL Solutions helpdesk can relay your message and inform you if any additional action is needed.
While we continue to refine our support of retail product onboarding initiatives, we welcome supplier feedback and recommendations. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out by chat, phone, or submitting a ticket.