Austria EPR
Provinces
Packaging
Provinces
Packaging
About
Packaging
About
Packaging
Packaging
Packaging
What is Austria EPR packaging
Austria has one of the longest-established packaging EPR systems in Europe. Packaging compliance is regulated mainly under the Austrian Waste Management Act (AWG) and the Packaging Ordinance (Verpackungsverordnung). Austria requires companies that place packaging on the Austrian market to:- participate in a licensed packaging collection & recycling scheme
- report packaging volumes
- pay packaging fees (“eco-fees”)
Does this apply to e-commerce & online sales
Yes — Austria explicitly applies packaging EPR rules to:- e-commerce sellers
- distance sellers shipping directly to Austrian consumers
- foreign online retailers selling into Austria
Who is the 'producer' under Austria EPR
The “producer” is generally the entity that first places packaging on the Austrian market, including:- Austrian manufacturers packing goods
- Importers bringing packaged goods into Austria
- Distance sellers shipping directly to Austrian end customers
Who must register for EPR packaging
Any company placing packaged goods on the Austrian market must join a licensed PRO, register accordingly, and submit packaging declarations.Registration threshold
Austria does not have a broad exemption like some EU countries. Even small volumes may trigger obligations. Some simplified reporting exists for very small quantities.External expertise for all your EPR needs
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Packaging covered (and excluded)
Austria covers almost all packaging types, including:- household sales packaging
- shipping packaging (e-commerce boxes, fillers)
- grouped packaging
- service packaging (bags, takeaway packaging)
- industrial bulk transport packaging under special regimes
- reusable packaging already in closed-loop systems
Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO)
Austria has multiple licensed PROs (collection & recovery schemes). Major examples include:- ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria)
- Reclay Systems
- Interzero Austria
EPR registration process
Typical compliance steps:- Select a licensed PRO (e.g., ARA)
- Sign a participation agreement
- Register and obtain an EPR/packaging licence
- Declare packaging volumes (usually quarterly/annually)
- Pay eco-fees based on materials and weight
Authorized representative
Austria requires foreign distance sellers to ensure compliance locally. In practice, many PROs require:- a legal entity or authorised representative established in Austria to handle reporting and fee payments.
- non-Austrian online sellers shipping B2C into Austria.
Data reporting requirements
Companies must report packaging placed on the market by:- material type (paper, plastic, glass, metal, composites)
- weight in kilograms
- household vs commercial packaging streams
First reporting period
Obligations begin as soon as packaging is placed on the Austrian market. Reporting normally starts from the first quarter/year of sales into Austria.EPR reporting deadlines
Deadlines depend on the PRO contract, but typically:- quarterly volume declarations
- annual reconciliation report
Labels & marketing claims
If your product is placed on the Austrian market and falls under the deposit return system (Pfandsystem), it must display the official Austrian Pfand logo.
Austria introduced a mandatory deposit system for single-use beverage containers (plastic bottles and metal cans).
Producers must:
-
Register with the national deposit system operator
-
Label eligible beverage packaging with the official Pfand logo
-
Ensure barcode compatibility for return scanning
Failure to comply may result in fines and sales restrictions.
An example of what a label looks like on packaging for Austria
Pfand Logo — Mandatory in Austria
The Austrian Pfand logo is a mandatory mark for in-scope single-use beverage containers.
It shows that:
-
The packaging participates in the national deposit return scheme
-
The container must not be disposed of in regular recycling bins
-
It should be returned to collection points for refund
Only the official approved logo may be used.
📎 Download the Pfand Logo from Lappa:
- PNG – best for digital use.
Eco fees & eco-modulation
Austria applies packaging fees based on:- packaging material
- recyclability
- volume/weight
Risks & penalties
Common compliance risks include:- failing to register before selling into Austria
- assuming marketplace responsibility covers packaging (often false)
- under-reporting shipping materials (cartons, fillers)
- missing foreign seller obligations
- administrative fines
- retroactive fee assessments
- sales restrictions in enforcement cases
What e-commerce sellers should do now
E-commerce sellers shipping into Austria should:- Confirm whether they are the first placer/importer
- Contract with a licensed PRO (ARA or similar)
- Set up packaging material tracking
- Appoint an authorised representative if required
- Align reporting cycles with PRO deadlines
- Budget eco-fees for Austria (especially plastics)
Register online
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