EPR System in Austria
Spis treści
EDM is operated by the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, Climate Action, and Environmental Protection (BMLUK). In practice, that means it’s the central digital platform where companies handle everything related to their environmental compliance — from registering waste operations to submitting reports or managing producer obligations for packaging, electrical equipment, or vehicles.
If your business collects, transports, or processes waste, produces hazardous materials, or manufactures or imports products covered by packaging or recycling regulations, then EDM likely applies to you. It’s a mandatory system designed to make environmental oversight more transparent and efficient — and to keep everyone on the same page when it comes to Austria’s strict sustainability standards.
While “another government platform” might not sound like good news at first, EDM is actually quite user-friendly once you know your way around it. Registration is free and takes place in two simple steps: you submit your application, receive access credentials, and then complete your company data. As part of the process, your business and each of its registered locations are assigned unique GLN (Global Location Numbers) — identifiers that make managing multiple sites and reporting much easier.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the essentials of the EDM system — how it works, who needs to register, what kind of reporting it requires, and how to get set up step by step. The goal is simple: to help you stay compliant without getting lost in bureaucracy, and to make sure your business in Austria runs smoothly and confidently from day one.
Who Needs to Register in the EDM System?
Primary Producers of Hazardous Waste
In Austria, the first group required to register in the EDM (Elektronisches Datenmanagement) system are businesses that generate hazardous waste as part of their operations.
It doesn’t matter whether waste generation is a core part of your business or merely a by-product of production, service, or repair activities. If your company produces hazardous materials in any capacity, registration in EDM may be mandatory — and what determines this is the total quantity generated within a calendar year.
Hazardous waste includes materials such as chemical substances, solvents, waste containing heavy metals, used engine and hydraulic oils, batteries, spent oil filters, and asbestos-containing materials.
The law sets specific quantity thresholds for different types of waste — for example, 200 litres per year for used oils, while other waste categories are measured in kilograms or tonnes.
What’s important to note: even a single batch that exceeds the threshold triggers a registration obligation — even if your business doesn’t produce waste regularly throughout the rest of the year.
Understanding Quantity Thresholds
Austrian regulations focus not on the mere fact that waste is produced, but on whether the defined threshold for a given waste code has been exceeded in that calendar year. These limits vary depending on the type of waste and are expressed in litres, kilograms, or tonnes.
For instance, if your company generates more than 200 litres of used motor oil within a year, registration in EDM becomes mandatory.
In practice, this means that even a small workshop or manufacturing business can cross the threshold with just one larger job or seasonal project. That’s why it’s important for automotive repair shops, industrial facilities, and renovation companies to keep track of their waste volumes continuously — especially during high-demand periods — to avoid missing the point at which registration becomes legally required.
Waste Collectors, Transporters, and Processors
The second major group that must register in EDM includes businesses involved in collecting, transporting, storing, or processing waste.
In particular, EDM applies to those handling hazardous waste or POP waste — short for Persistent Organic Pollutants.
POP waste refers to substances that are extremely resistant to degradation in the environment and can pose serious risks to both human health and ecosystems. Common examples include certain pesticides, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and materials containing brominated flame retardants.
Registration in the ZAReg module (part of EDM) is also mandatory for companies that transport hazardous or POP waste — regardless of the quantity involved.
This registration must be completed before any transport or acceptance of waste takes place, as your GLN number and activated EDM applications (such as eBegleitschein, the electronic consignment note) are required to record, manage, and issue transport documentation legally.
When Does the Registration Obligation Begin?
For primary producers of hazardous waste, registration in the EDM system must take place within one month of starting operations, provided that the business already meets the statutory quantity thresholds from the outset.
If your company exceeds the threshold later in the year — for example, due to a single large batch of hazardous waste — registration must be completed within one month of crossing the limit, not at the start of the next calendar year.
In short: as soon as your business hits the legal threshold, the clock starts ticking — and you have 30 days to register in EDM.
For Waste Collectors, Transporters, and Processors
Companies engaged in waste collection, transport, storage, or processing must obtain their ZAReg registration before starting any such activity.
This includes situations where a company is about to sign its first waste collection or transport contract — the registration process must be completed in advance to avoid operational delays or legal issues.
GLN Numbers and Access to EDM Applications
Completing your registration in ZAReg is the first step toward conducting legally compliant waste management operations in Austria.
After registration, your company will receive a 13-digit GLN (Global Location Number) assigned to the business. If necessary, additional GLNs can be issued for individual sites or facilities.
Once these are in place, you can activate specific EDM applications, such as:
- eBegleitschein – for electronic transport and transfer documentation, and
- eBilanzen – for submitting annual waste reports and balance statements.
Without these activated modules, it’s impossible to maintain proper records or submit required reports within the system.
How the Registration Process Works
On paper, registration in the EDM system seems straightforward. In reality, it requires a bit of preparation, a clear understanding of the process, and accurate documentation.
Everything is handled fully online and the procedure is free of charge — but any missing or incorrect information can delay your GLN issuance, and consequently, postpone the start of your operations.
That’s why it’s best to treat EDM registration like any other important business process:
with a plan, attention to detail, and all the required data and documents ready to go.
Step One – Submitting Your Application
The registration process for the Austrian EDM system can be completed in two ways, depending on where your business is based. Companies registered in Austria can apply through the national business service portal USP (usp.gv.at) or directly on edm.gv.at. For foreign businesses that do not possess an Austrian digital identification method, known as ID Austria, the registration is possible only through the form available on edm.gv.at. Both paths lead to the same result, but companies without an Austrian login must use the EDM portal, since USP accepts only national electronic identification.
The application form requires several key details about your company, including the full registered name, official address, and tax identification number (UID). Austrian companies must also provide their registration number from the Firmenbuch (FN), while foreign businesses are asked to submit company registration data from their home country, usually in the form of an extract from the business register. It is also necessary to indicate the company’s business sector using the NACE classification, which serves as the European equivalent of the Polish PKD system, though it uses different codes and terminology.
If the application is submitted by an authorized representative rather than the company itself, the authority may request a scanned copy of the power of attorney signed by a person legally entitled to represent the company. For foreign entities, it is often required to provide certified German translations of corporate documents. Before submitting the application, it is worth ensuring that the information provided in public registers, such as the Firmenbuch, matches the data entered into the form. Any inconsistencies can lead to requests for clarification, which may delay the registration process.
Step Two – Completing Company Data in ZAReg
Once the application has been successfully verified, the company receives its login credentials and a 13-digit Global Location Number (GLN) assigned to the entity. Businesses with multiple facilities or installations are issued additional GLNs for each of their locations, and these identifiers are later used in EDM applications such as eBegleitschein (eBGS) for transport documentation.
After receiving your credentials, the next step is to log in to the ZAReg system and complete your company profile in detail. This includes entering the addresses of all business locations, describing the installations used, and selecting the relevant business activities in accordance with Austria’s waste classification system, known as Tätigkeiten. The selection of these activities determines which EDM modules will be accessible to the company and what reporting duties will apply.
If your operations require special permits — for example, for waste transport or processing — their numbers, issue dates, and expiration dates must also be entered into ZAReg. Missing or incomplete permit data may block access to certain modules of the EDM system, even if the company’s primary registration has already been approved. Although the system technically allows the user to complete missing information later, in practice it is best to do so immediately after receiving the GLN. Keeping the profile complete from the start helps avoid delays in activating applications such as eBGS, which are essential for managing waste transport and reporting activities.
Registration is Free of Charge
The entire EDM registration procedure, from submitting the application to obtaining a GLN, is completely free of charge. No administrative fees are applied for registering your business in the system. However, companies should keep in mind that certain indirect costs may arise, such as expenses related to translation services, document certification, or consulting support. These are not part of the official registration process, but they can be relevant for foreign businesses preparing their documentation for submission.
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Required Data and Documents
To complete registration in Austria’s EDM system, a company must provide up-to-date business details, registration numbers such as UID or FN (or their equivalents in the country of origin), the relevant NACE business code, addresses of all operating sites and installations, and the types of waste-related activities carried out, known in Austria as Tätigkeiten. The contact information of the person responsible for system management must also be included. For licensed or permit-based activities, the registration requires the entry of all permit numbers together with their issue and expiry dates.
Foreign companies are expected to prepare an extract from their national business register translated into German and, when applicable, a scanned power of attorney if the application is being submitted by an authorized representative. Having these documents ready and consistent with official records significantly shortens the entire process, allowing the company to activate the necessary EDM modules immediately after receiving its GLN number. Proper preparation ensures that business operations can begin without unnecessary downtime or administrative interruptions.
Key Applications in the EDM System
The Austrian EDM platform is not a single piece of software but a comprehensive digital environment consisting of several interconnected modules that together manage the country’s waste management and environmental reporting obligations. Each application has its own purpose, but all of them share data automatically, so information entered once is available across the entire system. This structure greatly reduces repetitive work and minimizes the risk of inconsistencies between reports.
To use any of the available modules, the company must first have an active registration in the central ZAReg register and have correctly defined its Tätigkeiten. These assigned activities determine which applications will be accessible and what reporting duties will apply to the business.
ZAReg – The Central Registration and Management Hub
ZAReg forms the backbone of the EDM system. It serves as the central register of companies and installations, containing detailed data about the enterprise, its locations, and its permits. Based on this information, authorities determine which system modules must be used and what types of reports the business is required to submit.
Within ZAReg, the company is assigned specific Tätigkeiten — categories of activity within the waste management framework, such as hazardous waste transport, storage, or processing. The correct selection of these categories directly influences access to applications like eBegleitschein or eBilanzen.
Keeping ZAReg up to date is crucial. Changes such as a new address, the addition of a new facility, or an expansion of business activities often require verification and approval from the competent authority. Only after such approval do these updates propagate to the other EDM modules, meaning synchronization is not always immediate in practice.
eBegleitschein – Electronic Transport Documentation
The eBegleitschein (eBGS) module digitalizes the entire process of creating and managing transport documents for hazardous waste and certain POP (Persistent Organic Pollutant) materials. It is important to remember that every transport document must be generated in the system before the transport begins; otherwise, the company risks administrative penalties.
After the recipient takes over the waste, the transfer record must be formally closed within six weeks. The application allows users to monitor the document’s status at each stage, which is particularly helpful when working with multiple contractors. Many data fields, such as the type or quantity of waste, can be filled in automatically from previous entries, making the process faster and more reliable while reducing human error.
eBilanzen – Annual Waste Balances
The eBilanzen module is used to submit annual reports summarizing the total quantity, type, source, and method of management of generated or processed waste. These reports are typically due by the end of March of the year following the reporting period.
Data previously entered into eBegleitschein can be automatically imported into eBilanzen, which shortens preparation time and helps maintain consistency between transport documentation and annual balances. Certain industries, such as those involved in packaging, batteries, or electrical and electronic equipment, may have additional reporting duties that are also handled through this module.
eADok – Supporting Reports in XML Format
The eADok application functions as an auxiliary tool designed for smaller facilities and companies that maintain records in XML format. It enables users to prepare and submit reports in the required structure without needing specialized software.
This tool is also useful when a company must submit reports for previous years or upload data not covered by regular reporting through eBilanzen. In this way, eADok ensures data consistency across the entire EDM ecosystem, even when adjustments or historical corrections are necessary.
One Integrated System – But Expect Some Delays
All modules within Austria’s EDM system draw their data directly from the central ZAReg register, which ensures full consistency across reports and documents. However, it is important to note that synchronization between modules does not always happen instantly. In many cases, updates become visible only after they have been verified by the authorities or during the system’s scheduled database refresh cycles.
For this reason, when planning organizational changes or launching new waste-related activities, it is wise to complete your registration and verification in ZAReg well in advance. Doing so helps prevent potential delays in issuing transport documents, submitting reports, or meeting compliance deadlines.
Reporting Obligations and Deadlines
Registering in EDM is only the first step. Once access is granted, companies become part of a routine cycle of mandatory reporting obligations, each governed by specific deadlines and legal requirements. Observing these timelines is just as crucial as registration itself, since any failure to comply may result in administrative sanctions, financial penalties, or even temporary restrictions on system access.
Recordkeeping and Documentation
Every entity registered in the EDM system must maintain a complete record of all waste transfers. This means keeping detailed evidence that confirms where each waste shipment has gone and ensuring that it has been received or processed by an authorized facility.
The main source of these records is the transport documentation generated in eBegleitschein. While the digital archive within EDM may be considered sufficient for storage requirements, in practice it is recommended that companies retain their own electronic copies—for example, in PDF or XML format—stored securely on company servers or in internal archives.
Beyond the official transport documents, it is also good practice to keep weighing certificates, invoices for transport and waste treatment, statements from recipients, and any other evidence that might be useful during an inspection. All such records must be stored for at least seven years, regardless of whether they exist in paper or digital form.
What matters most is maintaining a coherent archiving system that allows quick retrieval of information. During inspections, authorities expect businesses to demonstrate an unbroken chain of documentation — from the point where waste is generated to its final disposal or recovery.
Deadlines for eBegleitschein
When a business handles hazardous waste or specific POP (Persistent Organic Pollutant) materials, every transfer must be documented in eBegleitschein. According to Austrian regulations, the electronic document must be created in the system before transport begins. The absence of such documentation during transport can result in administrative penalties.
After the recipient confirms receipt of the waste, the corresponding record must be closed within six weeks. From a practical business perspective, the most efficient approach is to prepare the eBegleitschein before loading the shipment and to share it electronically with the contracting partner. This ensures that the entire transport process remains fully compliant with legal requirements and traceable within the system.
Deadlines for eBilanzen
Every company registered in EDM is also required to submit an annual waste balance report through the eBilanzen module. The standard deadline for this submission is the end of March in the year following the reporting period.
The annual balance includes detailed data on the amounts of waste generated and transferred, their types, sources, and treatment methods. In some industries — such as those producing packaging, batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, or vehicles — additional or industry-specific reports may also be required within the same application.
The EDM system allows partial automatic data import from eBegleitschein to eBilanzen, which significantly shortens report preparation time and minimizes discrepancies between transport and annual reports. Nevertheless, the company remains responsible for reviewing, completing, and validating all imported information before submission.
When eBegleitschein records are maintained regularly and without delay, preparing the annual balance becomes a straightforward process — a simple confirmation of data rather than a time-consuming reconstruction of the past year’s activity.
Why Meeting Deadlines Matters
In Austria, punctual compliance with all EDM obligations is far more than a formality. Consistently missing deadlines can trigger financial penalties and lead to heightened scrutiny from supervisory authorities. In more serious cases, the authority may restrict access to specific EDM modules — which, in practice, makes it impossible to continue lawful operations in the waste management sector.
Reliable and timely reporting also strengthens a company’s reputation as a trustworthy business partner. For many contractors, particularly in regulated industries, a company’s ability to meet environmental reporting requirements on time is a decisive factor when choosing suppliers or subcontractors.
Penalties for Late or Missing Reports
Failure to meet obligations under the Austrian EDM system is subject to sanctions defined in the Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz 2002 (AWG 2002) and its related executive regulations. Such violations are treated as administrative offences (Verwaltungsübertretungen) rather than criminal acts, unless they are accompanied by conduct that qualifies as an environmental crime — for example, the illegal disposal or abandonment of waste.
The rules apply equally to companies that fail to register within the required timeframe and those that delay the submission of mandatory reports such as eBegleitschein or eBilanzen. Austrian law takes these matters seriously, viewing them as essential tools for environmental protection and for maintaining transparent control over waste flows nationwide.
Administrative Proceedings
When an oversight occurs, the usual first step taken by the supervisory authority is to initiate an administrative proceeding and issue a written request for clarification or completion of missing data. The business is normally given two to four weeks to respond from the date the letter is received.
Such notices may include obligations to complete registration, submit overdue reports, or correct inaccurate entries in ZAReg or previously submitted eBilanzen. The letter typically explains that failure to respond may result in a fine.
Providing a prompt and accurate response generally resolves the matter at the warning stage. Ignoring the request or repeating the same omissions, however, will almost inevitably lead to financial sanctions.
Financial Penalties
The amount of a fine depends on several factors: the type of violation, its environmental impact, the degree of negligence, and whether it is a first or repeat offence. For hazardous or POP waste, the maximum penalty can reach EUR 41,200, as stated in §79 of the AWG 2002.
In practice, minor infractions are usually penalized with sums ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand euros, while repeated violations result in progressively higher fines. The authorities take particular care in cases where missing registrations or reports prevent them from monitoring the movement of hazardous waste — those are handled with the utmost severity.
Suspension of Activities
In extreme cases, when a business repeatedly ignores its legal duties or operates in a way that endangers the environment, the competent authority may issue an administrative decision prohibiting specific types of waste-related activity.
Such a prohibition applies to particular Tätigkeiten registered in ZAReg — for instance, hazardous-waste transport — rather than to the company’s entire scope of operations. During the prohibition period, the firm’s GLN associated with that activity may be deactivated, automatically blocking access to the corresponding EDM modules required for lawful operation.
Why It Pays to Stay Compliant
Adhering to deadlines and maintaining complete documentation is not only a legal obligation — it’s also a fundamental condition for keeping operations smooth and uninterrupted. In Austria, public registers make it possible to verify whether a company is actively listed in EDM. A missing or suspended entry is visible to potential partners and can quickly become a major obstacle in securing new contracts.
In a business environment where environmental responsibility is becoming a key selection criterion, consistent EDM compliance is a real competitive advantage. Conversely, repeated violations can lead not only to financial losses but also to serious reputational damage.
Summary
The Austrian EDM system can be viewed as a functional equivalent of Poland’s BDO, though its scope is broader. Beyond registration, documentation, and reporting in waste management, EDM also covers producer obligations for packaging, batteries, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), and vehicles, as well as modules for cross-border waste transfers.
At its core lies the ZAReg register, which stores all essential data about the company — including its locations, Tätigkeiten, and permits. The other EDM applications — eBegleitschein for transport documentation, eBilanzen for annual reporting, and eADok for XML-based submissions — all rely on this central database. Maintaining up-to-date records in ZAReg is therefore the foundation of lawful operation in Austria’s environmental management system.
For business owners, EDM compliance is not just a bureaucratic duty but a mark of professionalism. Austrian partners frequently verify whether a company holds an active GLN and valid access to the necessary modules before signing contracts. Keeping data current is therefore both a legal requirement and a signal of reliability.
The best preparation starts with collecting accurate company data, understanding the functions of each EDM module, and implementing internal procedures to track deadlines. Simple tools such as calendar reminders, system notifications, or compliance checklists can make a real difference, helping to prevent last-minute stress and avoidable sanctions.
Before beginning the registration process — or whenever uncertainty arises — it is important to rely only on official sources such as:
- Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions, Water, Climate and Environment (BMLUK) – www.bmluk.gv.at
- EDM Portal – www.edm.gv.at for central login and module management
- USP Portal – www.usp.gv.at for national business services
- Help.gv.at – www.help.gv.at for general administrative procedures
And of course, expert assistance can make the process smoother. The Austrian system can seem complex at first glance — until you work with someone who knows it inside out. If you need help navigating EDM registration or ongoing compliance, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Current instructions, templates, and reporting guides are also available in the help sections of each EDM application, making day-to-day use more intuitive.
Understanding how EDM works and relying on verified, up-to-date information is the best guarantee that your business in Austria will operate legally, responsibly, and confidently — allowing you to focus on growth while staying fully compliant with environmental regulations.
