EU ★ Market GuideBeta

Packaging obligations in Austria (2026)

Draft

Verified on: 2026-09-01

EU framework: PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026

National: The AWG 2002 (Waste Management Act) and the Verpackungsverordnung 2014 (VVO – Packaging Ordinance) continue to apply transitionally insofar as they are compatible with the PPWR; amendments to the AWG and VVO accompanying the PPWR are in preparation (as of Sep 2026). Responsible authority: BMLUK.

The BMLUK guidance leaflet of June 2026 explains the transitional phase until the national amendments arrive. Nationally, an authorised-representative requirement for foreign B2C distance sellers has already applied since 1 Jan 2023; marketplaces and fulfilment providers have had to ensure their sellers' packaging compliance since 1 Jan 2023 (§ 12c AWG 2002). Items newly covered by the PPWR include coffee capsules (scheme participation by 1 Oct 2026).

Packaging EPR: Entpflichtung (discharge of obligations via an approved scheme) & registration (Austria)

Anyone placing packaged goods on the market for end customers in Austria (including distance sellers shipping from abroad) must have their packaging obligations discharged via an approved collection and recovery scheme and report volumes. For household packaging the obligation applies without any volume threshold.

Authorised representative: 
Since as early as 1 Jan 2023, foreign distance sellers without an establishment in Austria that deliver packaged goods directly to private end consumers have had to appoint an authorised representative established in Austria – regardless of volume. Since 12 Aug 2026, Art. 45 PPWR additionally requires an authorised representative in every Member State in which a producer without an establishment first makes packaging available.
Cross-border: 
The authorised representative takes over Entpflichtung, registration and volume reporting. Marketplaces have had to exclude non-compliant sellers since 1 Jan 2023 (§ 12c AWG 2002) – without proof of Entpflichtung, listings risk being blocked. For small volumes (< 1,500 kg of household packaging/year) a simplified flat-rate fee is available.
Costs: 
The schemes' licence fees (tariffs) depend on material and volume; for small volumes below 1,500 kg of household packaging per year a flat-rate annual fee is available.
Deadlines: 
Entpflichtung before placing goods on the market. Transitional phase: the existing national rules (VVO 2014, EDM reporting) continue to apply while the AWG/VVO amendment is still pending (as of Sep 2026). For products newly counted as packaging, such as coffee capsules: scheme participation by 1 Oct 2026.

Typical steps

  1. Determine which of your packaging ends up in Austria (household vs. commercial packaging; including shipping packaging).
  2. Without an Austrian establishment and shipping B2C: appoint an authorised representative established in Austria in writing (mandatory since 1 Jan 2023).
  3. Conclude an Entpflichtung contract with an approved collection and recovery scheme (e.g. ARA, Reclay, ERP Austria, Bonus Holsystem).
  4. Ensure registration in the EDM portal – in practice via your chosen scheme or your authorised representative.
  5. Report packaging volumes to the scheme regularly; below 1,500 kg of household packaging per year, check the flat-rate fee option.
  6. If selling via marketplaces: provide the platform with proof of Entpflichtung/compliance.

Providers for this obligation

Altstoff Recycling Austria AG (ARA)Reclay Systems GmbH (Reclay Group)European Recycling Platform (ERP) Austria GmbHBonus Holsystem für Verpackungen GmbH & Co KG

Sources: BMLUK – Neue EU-Verpackungsverordnung (Übergangsphase, Pflichten seit 12.08.2026) (accessed 2026-09-01) · BMLUK – Merkblatt zur EU-Verpackungsverordnung in Österreich (Juni 2026, PDF) (accessed 2026-09-01) · BMLUK – Liste der genehmigten Sammel- und Verwertungssysteme für Verpackungen (PDF) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Verpackungskoordinierungsstelle (VKS) – Systeme und Funktionsweise der Verpackungs-EPR (accessed 2026-09-01) · WKO – Umweltrechtliche Aspekte im Versandhandel (Entpflichtung, 1.500-kg-Pauschalregel, Marktplatzpflicht) (accessed 2026-09-01) · Handelsverband – AWG-Novelle: Plattformhaftung für Verpackungsentpflichtung ab 01.01.2023 (accessed 2026-09-01) · Deutsche Recycling – Bevollmächtigter für Verpackungen in Österreich (seit 01.01.2023, EDM) (accessed 2026-09-01)

Who can handle this for you? Compare all schemes & representatives for Austria →

Does this apply to your business too? Check your specific situation.

Start the free check

Legal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.