Circular Pro and AuthoriseMe: Authorised representatives for Spain, Austria, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic  

In the European Union, the requirements for foreign companies regarding the appointment of an authorised representative vary depending on the member state and product category. Some countries have introduced specific regulations requiring foreign companies to appoint a local authorised representative to ensure compliance with national regulations:    

Since 1 January 2023, foreign companies in Austria must appoint an authorised representative (AP) if they sell packaged products or certain single-use plastic products (SUP – single-use plastics) to private end consumers. From 1 January 2025, this will also apply to foreign companies that place single-use deposit products on the Austrian market.  

The EPR requirements apply to all companies that bring packaging into circulation in Poland – regardless of whether they are based in the country or trade across borders. This means that e-commerce retailers and manufacturers with sales to Poland are also included in the obligated group. 

You can already book AuthoriseMe via Circular Pro as your authorised representative for the following countries and waste streams:  

• SUP products in Germany
• packaging, SUP products and one-way deposits in  
• packaging, WEEE & batteries and car tyres in Slovakia  
• packaging in Spain  
• packaging and WEEE & batteries in the Czech Republic 
• Further countries and waste categories will follow shortly. 

These developments show that many European countries are increasingly in favour of consistent implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) to ensure compliance with national environmental legislation. Companies that operate internationally should therefore regularly review their compliance strategies to fulfil the respective regulations. 

Digital services for authorisation with AuthoriseMe

Affected companies must bear in mind that the specific requirements and implementation deadlines may vary from country to country. Manufacturers and producers who export products to different EU countries should therefore always carefully check the respective national regulations and, where mandatory, appoint an authorised representative to ensure compliance in the respective country. With our partner AuthoriseMe, we at Circular Pro offer an uncomplicated and simple digital solution that already enables companies in many countries to make use of the authorised representative’s services: In Germany, AuthoriseMe offers the service for SUP products. In Austria, packaging, SUP products and the one-way deposit are covered. In Spain, AuthoriseMe takes on the legal obligations relating to packaging. In Slovakia, in addition to packaging, WEEE & batteries, car tyres are also covered. And in the Czech Republic, our partner offers the AuthoriseMe service for packaging and WEEE & batteries. Further countries with their relevant waste categories are currently being developed and will also soon be offered via Circular Pro. As soon as you have created a free account for your company here, you can get started. 

Once you have selected the countries that are relevant to you, you provide us with the master data of your company that we require for the legally compliant processing of your obligations (e.g. company address, legal form, tax number, etc.). Further documents, such as a power of attorney, are also required for the complete appointment of an authorised representative. You will be automatically guided through this process and receive the appropriate support. Once we have all the information and all the required fields have been completed, you will be taken to an overview page where all the entries in your shopping basket must be checked again and the order confirmed. Once the invoice has been paid and you have provided all the necessary documents, the AuthoriseMe team will start preparing further documentation to register you in the respective country. Our partner will guide you through every step of the way and ensure that the entire process is simple and straightforward with clear communication.  

Notarised power of attorney required for Austria 

In Austria, the appointment of an authorised representative requires a notarised power of attorney in German or in English. The power of attorney must include the express consent of the authorised representative to assume the obligations and the contractual guarantee of their authority to act. This measure serves to improve the monitoring and enforcement of legal requirements in extended producer responsibility and is intended to ensure that foreign companies also fulfil their obligations in the EU. 

Notarisation and apostille required for Spain

In Spain, an apostille and notarisation are also required for the appointment of an authorised representative. Here too, our partner AuthoriseMe will guide you professionally through the process. 

Save time, resources and consequently costs!  

Companies that require an authorised representative for packaging usually have to reckon with a great deal of effort. The first step is to navigate through the legal jungle to find out where and for which product types the obligation to appoint an authorised representative exists. As an authorised representative is not just a simple service provider, but assumes legal responsibility for the correct implementation of packaging obligations (this includes, for example, registration with authorities or reporting packaging quantities in some countries), there are not many providers in the EU that offer this service centrally for the whole of Europe.

Those interested in the platform have the advantage of booking all services digitally and very efficiently. We handle the authorisations with our partner AuthoriseMe. Instead of having to run from one service provider to the next, our digital solution offers all services relating to EPR compliance, authorisation or the packaging obligation for the whole of Europe. Where an external partner is required (e.g. for the notarisation of an authorisation or the application for a NIF number for Spain), you benefit from our partner network and can also do this digitally. This saves you time, resources and therefore costs!    

Book your authorised representative for Austria, Spain, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic 

With our partner AuthoriseMe, you can book the authorised representative for packaging and single-use deposits for Austria, packaging for Spain and SUP products for Germany in just a few steps.  The service is also already available for the relevant waste streams in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Other countries are already being developed and will be available in future via Circular Pro and our partner AuthoriseMe. The process includes registration, decommitment of the packaging to a take-back system and regular reporting to your company. Get your free Circular Pro account here for your company and get started. 

Get your free Circular Pro account here and start your legally compliant and sustainable packaging strategy today. 

Customers who appoint an authorised representative via Circular Pro particularly appreciate the simple and efficient handling, as the entire process is not only legally compliant, but also digitalised and optimally structured. The experienced team of experts from our partner AuthoriseMe takes care of the complete registration with the relevant authorities and ensures that all legal obligations are met. Authorisation is carried out digitally, which not only eliminates time-consuming paperwork, but also saves time and effort. 

Efficient EPR compliance with all-round service

With Circular Pro, we rely on a completely transparent cost structure that is based on the actual costs of compliance. Companies not only receive the authorisation service, but they can also obtain regular updates on legal changes to ensure their EPR compliance in the long term. Together with the partner network, a comprehensive all-round service is therefore offered so that the company can save a great deal of administrative effort and concentrate fully on its core business.

Circular Pro Account – start now! 

Get your free Circular Pro account today so you can find out right now in which countries your company has to fulfil EPR obligations. Click here for your free Circular Pro account.