Verpackungsverordnung 2014
Austria EPR — Verpackungsverordnung 2014. The regulatory authority is BMK (Ministry of Climate), operating through the ARA system.
All producers, importers, online sellers, and fulfillment service providers placing packaged goods on the Austria market must register with a PRO and fulfill EPR obligations. Non-Austria sellers must appoint an Authorized Representative.
Austria operates a competitive compliance scheme market for packaging. Producers must register with the VKS (Verpackungskoordinierungsstelle) and contract with one or more licensed collection and recycling systems:
Registration: VKS (Verpackungskoordinierungsstelle) — vks-gmbh.at
Reporting & Deadlines: Monthly/Quarterly/Annual (by projected fees). Packaging data must be reported by material type and weight. Reports are submitted through ARA Portal.
Maximum Fine: €41,200. Non-compliance with Austria EPR regulations can result in fines, marketplace listing deactivation, and legal consequences. Amazon and other marketplaces may independently verify compliance and suspend non-compliant sellers.
Authorized Representative required for non-Austrian sellers
If you sell on Amazon, eBay, or other marketplaces and ship products to Austria, you are responsible for EPR compliance in this market. The "pay on behalf" model is ending — marketplaces will no longer handle this for you. Register now to avoid listing deactivation.
Follow these steps to become fully compliant with Austrian packaging EPR regulations. ekoniq can handle all of these steps on your behalf.
Register at VKS (vks-gmbh.at)
The Verpackungskoordinierungsstelle (VKS) is Austria's central packaging coordination body. All producers and importers must register here first — this is a separate step from contracting with a compliance scheme.
Contract with a compliance scheme (ARA / Reclay / EWP)
Choose and sign a contract with a licensed compliance scheme. ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria) is the dominant system with ~85% market share. Reclay Austria and EWP are alternatives. Fees depend on your packaging volumes and material types.
Report your packaging volumes
Submit your packaging data to the compliance scheme, broken down by material type (paper, plastic, glass, metal, wood) and weight in kilograms. Include all packaging: sales, transport, and secondary packaging.
Upload your EPR number to Amazon Seller Central
Enter your Austrian EPR registration number in the EPR compliance section of Amazon Seller Central. This prevents listing deactivation and demonstrates compliance to the marketplace.
File annual reports
Submit annual packaging reports through your compliance scheme portal with accurate volume data. Reporting frequency may be monthly, quarterly, or annual depending on your volumes. Keep records of all packaging placed on the Austrian market.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
The PPWR is a new EU-wide regulation that will replace the existing Packaging Directive. Unlike directives, this regulation applies directly in all member states — including Austria — without requiring national transposition. Key changes affecting sellers on the Austrian market:
The PPWR will coexist with Austria's existing Verpackungsverordnung 2014 during the transition period. Sellers should prepare now for the new requirements.
If your company manufactures products outside the EU and exports them to the European market, PPWR requires you to prove that your packaging meets EU sustainability standards — before your goods cross the border. ekoniq prepares the complete PPWR compliance package so you can export with confidence.
What we deliver (15–18 documents):
✓ Full Technical Documentation (Annex VII, Module A)
✓ EU Declaration of Conformity (Annex VIII)
✓ Recyclability assessment of all packaging
✓ Substance restriction verification (PFAS, heavy metals)
✓ Recycled content declaration
✓ Packaging minimisation statement
✓ Labeling guidance (material codes, sorting pictograms, QR)
✓ Accredited lab testing coordination (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas)
✓ EPR registration in target EU countries
✓ Authorised Representative appointment (Article 45)
Avoid these common pitfalls that can lead to fines up to €41,200 or marketplace listing deactivation.
Registering only with ARA, without VKS
Many sellers contract with ARA but forget the mandatory VKS registration. Both are required — VKS is the central coordination body, while ARA is the compliance scheme. Missing either one means you are not fully compliant.
Volume mismatches between reported and actual packaging
Under-reporting packaging volumes is a common mistake that can trigger audits and penalties. Ensure your reported weights match actual packaging placed on the market. When in doubt, report conservatively higher.
Forgetting transport packaging
Many sellers only report sales packaging (the box the customer sees) but forget transport packaging — shipping cartons, pallets, stretch wrap, and protective materials. All packaging types that enter Austria must be reported.
Not updating when packaging volumes change
If your sales grow significantly, your packaging volumes change accordingly. Failing to update your reported volumes with your compliance scheme can lead to under-reporting and subsequent penalties during audits.
Ignoring WEEE and battery EPR obligations
Packaging EPR is not the only obligation. If you sell electrical or electronic products, you also need WEEE registration. If your products contain batteries, separate battery EPR registration is required. Each has its own registration system and compliance scheme.
VKS (Verpackungskoordinierungsstelle) is the central packaging coordination body where all producers must register. ARA (Altstoff Recycling Austria) is one of several licensed compliance schemes that handle the actual collection and recycling of packaging waste. You need both — a VKS registration AND a contract with a compliance scheme like ARA, Reclay Austria, or EWP.
Yes, if you are a non-Austrian seller placing packaged goods on the Austrian market (e.g., via Amazon FBA), you must appoint an Authorized Representative established in Austria or the EU. ekoniq can act as your Authorized Representative.
All packaging types must be reported: sales packaging (product packaging reaching end consumers), transport packaging (shipping cartons, pallets, stretch wrap), and secondary packaging (grouped packaging such as multipacks). Each must be reported by material type — paper, plastic, glass, metal, and wood — and by weight in kilograms.
Yes, Austria EPR applies to all sellers regardless of size. There is no minimum threshold — even if you sell small volumes, you must register with VKS and contract with a compliance scheme. The compliance scheme fees are volume-based, so small sellers pay proportionally less.
Yes. Amazon verifies EPR compliance and can suspend or deactivate listings of sellers who have not uploaded valid EPR registration numbers. It is essential to register with VKS, contract with a compliance scheme, and upload your EPR number to Seller Central promptly.
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces harmonized rules across all EU member states, including Austria. It will bring new recyclability requirements, recycled content mandates, and standardized labeling. The PPWR applies directly as a regulation (no national transposition needed) and will coexist with Austria's Verpackungsverordnung 2014 during the transition period.
Reporting frequency depends on your packaging volumes — it can be monthly, quarterly, or annual. Reports must be submitted through your compliance scheme portal (e.g., ARA Portal) and include packaging data broken down by material type and weight. Your compliance scheme will notify you of specific deadlines.
EPR in All EU Countries 2026
Complete overview of EPR requirements across all 29 EU/EEA countries.
PPWR Changes August 2026
What the new EU Packaging Regulation means for online sellers.
How to Upload EPR to Amazon
Step-by-step guide to uploading your EPR numbers to Amazon Seller Central.
Germany LUCID Registration Guide
How to register in the German LUCID system — a useful cross-reference for Austrian sellers.
ekoniq handles your complete EPR registration and compliance. We take care of registration, reporting, and ongoing obligations so you can focus on selling.
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