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Packaging obligations in Austria (2026)

Verified on: 2026-09-01

Source-verified
1 documented obligationAuthorised representative: depends on situation6 Providers →
Legal framework (EU & national)
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 10 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 (§ 12b(1) in conjunction with § 13g(1) no. 5 AWG 2002; § 16b VVO 2014); marketplaces and fulfilment providers have had to ensure their sellers' packaging compliance since 1 Jan 2023, otherwise exclude them or refuse service (§ 12c AWG 2002, in force since 1 Jan 2023 pursuant to § 91(46) AWG 2002). Items newly covered by the PPWR include coffee capsules (scheme participation from 1 Oct 2026). BMLUK plans to connect the EDM to the future PPWR producer register (Art. 44) from calendar year 2028 at the earliest.

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.

AuthorityBundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft (BMLUK)
RegisterEDM-Portal (Elektronisches Datenmanagement)
Authorised representativedepends on situation
DeadlinesEntpflichtung 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; VVO last amended by BGBl. II No. 284/2023). For products newly counted as packaging, such as coffee capsules: scheme participation from 1 Oct 2026 (BMLUK leaflet of 10 June 2026).
CostsThe schemes' licence fees (tariffs) depend on material and volume; for small volumes up to 1,500 kg of household packaging per year the schemes may offer a flat-rate annual fee (§ 9(2) no. 3 VVO 2014).

Your to-dos

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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 KGCompare all schemes & representatives for Austria →
Why does this affect me cross-border?
The authorised representative takes over all of the distance seller's packaging obligations – Entpflichtung, registration in the register under § 22 AWG 2002 (EDM) and volume reporting (§ 12b(3) AWG 2002; § 16b(3) VVO 2014). 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 (up to 1,500 kg of household packaging/year) the schemes may offer a flat-rate annual fee (§ 9(2) no. 3 VVO 2014; for commercial packaging analogously § 13(2) no. 3).
Required documents
  • Packaging volume and material data for Entpflichtung and reporting
  • Certified authorised-representative power of attorney in German or English (if without an Austrian establishment; § 16a(1), § 16b VVO 2014)
Sources & verification status

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