Article Product Registration 
Details and Instructions



Overview

WERCSmart® helps retailers manage the compliant sale, transport, storage, and disposal of products. Article products containing Chemicals of Concerns have been subject to increasing regulatory scrutiny in recent years. WERCSmart retail partners are leveraging our screening tool to identify products that may be subject to sales restrictions in various states and jurisdictions. 


Article Registration Guide 

Download the attached guide below for an overview and guidelines for Article Product registrations.


Step-by-step Video

The video below reviews the information you need to complete registration and shows you how to navigate WERCSmart quickly and easily, so you can enter article product data with confidence and meet all regulatory requirements.



FAQs

What is an “Article” in WERCSmart? 

An Article is a non-formulated product, such as textiles, household items, or finished goods that are not mixtures (for example, a dish towel).


Why is Article Data collection updated?

Regulations across the U.S. and Canada increasingly require information about specific chemical groups used in finished products. These requirements may include reporting chemical presence or complying with sales restrictions.


What information will I need to provide? 

Depending on your product, you need to:

  • Survey your suppliers of the product’s parts to determine whether specific chemical groups are present or not in the finished product; and
  • Provide a Declaration of Compliance document if testing or surveys of your suppliers have been conducted; or
  • Provide specific chemicals identified in the chemical group when present in the finished product.


What is a Declaration of Compliance and Requirements? 

WERCSmart collects information about whether an article product contains constituents that may be members of 6 Chemical Groups:

  • PFAS
  • Phthalates
  • Bisphenols
  • Heavy Metals
  • Fire Retardants
  • Formaldehyde


A Declaration of Compliance (DoC) is a document where your organization affirms that the product does not contain any chemicals in each group. If a product does contain a member of a chemical group, information about that chemical is collected to support regulatory compliance evaluations.


Acceptable DoCs must meet the following:

  • Created or printed on company letterhead that includes the corporate address
  • Dated within 12 months of the registration
  • Signed by an authorized representative of your organization


Will existing Article registrations need to be updated? 

Yes. If you have existing Article registrations, you will need to:

  • Update chemical group data to reflect current requirements beyond PFAS, and
  • Resubmit the registration for the revised assessment.


What does recertification mean? 

Recertification requires reviewing your existing registration, providing any newly required information, and resubmitting the registration to ensure it meets current program requirements.


When should I take action? 

You should review your registrations as soon as possible after the release to determine whether recertification is required.


Where can I find the Regulations for Articles?

Here are some helpful links to various regulations that shaped and supported the revision for Articles in WERCSmart Portal:


Where can I get help if I have questions? 

If you need assistance:

  • Review the guidance provided within the WERCSmart Support Center.
  • Contact your WERCSmart support representative for help with your registration.