What Is Changing?
Suppliers can continue to create Packaging Assemblies and associate them with products in the WERCSmart Portal. However, associating retailer UPCs with Packaging Assemblies is currently optional for all retailers and products. It is not required for product submission at this time.
Recertification Update
Products will no longer be placed into recertification solely because retailer UPCs have not been associated with a Packaging Assembly. If a product was previously placed into recertification for this reason, that recertification level will no longer appear in the product view.
Potential Future Requirement
In the future, certain private label products associated with retailers participating in Chemical Group compliance programs may be required to link retailer UPCs to Packaging Assemblies during registration.
No effective date has been established for this requirement. Suppliers will receive advance notice and additional guidance before UPC-to-Packaging Assembly associations become mandatory.
What should suppliers do now?
- Continue creating and maintaining Packaging Assemblies as needed.
- Reuse existing Packaging Assemblies when appropriate to reduce duplicate data entry.
- No action is currently required to associate retailer UPCs with Packaging Assemblies.
- Watch for future communications about Chemical Group program requirements for participating retailers.
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the WERCSmart Support Team through the Support Solution Center.