The Save Mart Companies

Bringing people together through our passion for food and a remarkable shopping experience!

Supplier Compliance


California is one of the most highly regulated states in the nation. In many cases, California laws are stricter than federal laws. It is essential to understand these regulations when doing business with The Save Mart Companies.

The following sections provide an overview of the local, state, and federal regulations with which we expect and require our suppliers and other business partners to comply. It is the supplier’s responsibility to understand how these requirements impact the specific products and/or services provided by their company. The regulations noted below, as well as additional regulations not cited on this site or any The Save Mart Companies documents, are subject to change at any time and without notice. This is not intended to serve as an exhaustive summary.

Suppliers are asked to contact the appropriate Customer Solutions Merchant or The Save Mart Companies Compliance and Regulatory Department at (209) 548-6661 with questions.

California Air Resources Board's Transport Refrigeration Unit Airborne Toxic Control Measure
The Save Mart Companies requires all refrigerated carriers to comply with the regulations of the California Air Resources Board's (ARB) Transportation Refrigeration Unit (TRU or reefer) Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM or Regulation). Please click here for the The Save Mart Companies California Air Resources Board's Transport Refrigeration Unit Airborne Toxic Control Measure LetterMore information is available at http://www.arb.ca.gov/tru/tru.htm.

Labeling and Weights and Measures Laws
All products offered for sale in our stores must comply with all federal and state regulations for labeling. This helps ensure that consumers have the information needed to make informed decisions about the food they eat and the products they use. The Save Mart Companies expects our suppliers to comply with all labeling laws, including:
Potentially Hazardous Products: The WERCSmart Program
Potentially hazardous products are those containing chemicals that, when damaged or mismanaged, can be harmful to people and other living things, as well as the environment. This includes products that are flammable, corrosive, oxidizing or otherwise regulated by state or federal law. These regulations apply, but are not limited to, all aerosols; damaged or expired over the counter pharmaceuticals such as pain relievers and cold and flu products; many health and beauty care products such as hair coloring, shampoo, toothpaste, soap and cosmetics; and household products such as detergents, glass cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners. When these products are damaged and no longer of any use or value, they must be managed as hazardous waste.

To ensure compliance with state and federal regulations regarding the safe handling and disposal of hazardous waste, The Save Mart Companies requires that potentially hazardous products be registered with the WERCSmart program. Note this program is in place companywide, including all Save Mart, S-Mart, Lucky, FoodMaxx and Maxx Value stores as well as our Distribution Centers.

Click here for further information from The Save Mart Companies.

Restricted Products
The Save Mart Companies expects our suppliers to be familiar with the product restrictions, and other regulations, that apply to the products they provide. If a restricted product is unknowingly sold based on inaccurate or incomplete supplier-provided information, the supplier is subject to being held liable for all costs incurred to remove the product from sale, including any related fines, penalties, and other legal costs.

Suppliers should be aware of the restricted product regulations that govern where and how their products are sold. The state of California, and to a lesser degree the state of Nevada, may restrict the sale of products that are readily available for sale, without restriction, in other states. In addition, some California product restrictions apply on a local basis (e.g., county or city).

Restricted products include, but are not limited to: