Participation in a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for packaging is mandatory in Austria. However, there is no obligation to register in a producer register on your own. The PRO reports the customer data to VKS Verpackungskoordinierungsstelle (Packaging coordination office) which inserts them into the system participants register. On top of the mandatory registration with a PRO, the Demarcation Ordinance stipulates a division into commercial and household packaging depending on the sector. Different fees apply depending on the packaging material. Since January 2023, companies without their own registered office in Austria must appoint an ‘authorized representative’ who assumes producer responsibility before the legislator and is responsible for fulfilling the EPR obligations.
