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Austria Packaging Waste Extended Producer Responsibility (AUT Packaging EPR)

Austria Packaging Waste Extended Producer Responsibility (AUT Packaging EPR): Austria Packaging EPR: Producer Responsibility and Reporting

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on January 26th, 2026

Summary

Austria’s packaging EPR regime requires producers and importers to register, report packaging volumes, and finance waste management. Compliance failures are common in cross-border e-commerce and importer scenarios, where registration is overlooked. Enforcement increasingly relies on data matching, making underreporting and non-registration high-risk strategies.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Austria
Exemptions

Mandatory for:

Producers and importers placing packaged goods on the Austrian market.

Exceptions:

Very small quantities may qualify for simplified regimes.

Deep dive

1 min read
Published Jan 26, 2026

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What’s Required

Austria applies extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, requiring producers and importers to finance and organise packaging waste management.

Key requirements include:

  • Registration with approved collection and recovery systems.

  • Reporting of packaging volumes placed on the market.

  • Payment of fees based on material and quantity.

  • Compliance with recycling and recovery targets.

Important Deadlines

  • Periodic reporting of packaging quantities.

  • Annual settlement of fees and declarations.

Current Status

Packaging EPR is fully operational and increasingly digitalised, with cross-checks between customs, tax and waste authorities.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • Administrative fines.

  • Back payments of unpaid fees.

  • Sales bans for non-registered producers.

Examples of Known Violations

  • Failure to register before placing packaging on the market.

  • Underreporting of packaging volumes.

  • Incorrect material categorisation.

Resources

Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Jan 26, 2026 by Maílis Carrilho ·
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