Building a Strong Product Compliance and Sustainability Program

Elevate your product compliance strategies with help from UL Solutions

Retailers are under growing pressure to deliver products that meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations for safety, transparency and sustainability. From per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) restrictions and hazardous waste management to private-label oversight and environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments, the compliance landscape is shifting fast, and the cost of inaction is rising.

UL Solutions empowers retailers to move beyond reactive compliance and toward proactive product stewardship. This guide outlines the foundational elements of a strong compliance and sustainability program, including:

• Chemical policy development – How to screen for high-priority substances and align with emerging regulations
• Hazardous material management – Best practices for transport, storage and disposal across retail operations
• Assortment strategy and private label oversight – Tools to evaluate supplier data and support brand integrity
• Data-driven decision-making – How the ULTRUS™ WERCSmart® and ULTRUS™ PurView® software support compliance

The third edition of “A Retailer’s Guide to U.S. Product Compliance and Sustainability,” published in September 2025, is now available.

Updates or new additions include:

Compliance updates on PFAS and other chemicals of concern 

• The 2025 edition introduces detailed PFAS reporting timelines under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
• How recent regulatory changes affecting chemicals in consumer goods have introduced new compliance responsibilities for retailers.

Private label brand strategy

• The third edition reframes private label brands (PLBs) as vehicles for sustainability and brand loyalty, especially among Generation Z and millennial consumers.
• Includes data on sales uplift, click-through rate (CTR) increases and loyalty metrics tied to sustainability claims.

ULTRUS software capabilities

• WERCSmart® now supports maximum allowable quantity (MAQ) guidance and PFAS in articles declaration workflows.
• PurView® is now also positioned as a tool for marketing enablement, helping retailers promote sustainability attributes across channels.