Starting from January 1, 2023, Joom is legally required to check if merchants selling products in Austria are compliant with the Austrian Waste Management Act 2002 (also known as Abfallwirtschaftsgesetz or Austrian Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Law). 

The main goal of the Austrian EPR law is to increase the collection and recycling system compliance of particular customer products in Austria.

What is EPR?

EPR is a regime where product manufacturers, importers, or people introducing products to the Austrian market ("producers") are financially and organizationally responsible for end-of-life waste management for certain product categories they produce or sell. 

As a marketplace operator, Joom is legally required to verify the compliance and impose restrictions on non-compliant merchants.

Who is the EPR Law applicable to?

Following the broad conditions to be regarded as “producer”, every person who sells products to Austria could be considered as a producer for the Austrian EPR purposes.

In particular, the following categories of the products fall under the law:

1. Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE).
2. Batteries.
3. Packaging.

What do you need to do?

If you're considered as a producer, you need to:

1. Register with one or more eco-organizations for each category of products you sell to obtain a Participation Number. Please note: If you are part of the scope of several eco-organizations, you must request one Participation Number per category.

2. Provide your Participation Number and confirmation that you are registered on Joom via merchant panel.

3. Report and pay eco-fees to the eco-organization(s) based on the number and types of products sold regularly (depends on the category).

How to Register for EPR Purposes in Austria?

Below is the list of eco-organizations where you need to register if you are considered as a producer:

1. Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

• ERA Elektro Recycling Austria GmbH
• European Recycling Platform (ERP) Austria GmbH 
• Interseroh Austria GmbH
• UFH Altlampen Systembetreiber GmbH 
• UFH Elektroaltgeräte Systembetreibe GmbH 

2. Batteries

• ERA Elektro Recycling Austria GmbH
• European Recycling Platform (ERP) Austria GmbH
• Interseroh Austria GmbH 
• UFH Altlampen Systembetreiber GmbH 
• UFH Elektroaltgeräte Systembetreibe GmbH 

3. Packaging

• ARA Altstoff Recycling Austria AG
• Bonus Holsystem Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG 
• European Recycling Platform (ERP) Austria GmbH 
• Interzero Circular Solutions Europe GmbH
• Reclay Systems GmbH

How to provide a Participation Number?

Joom has updated the Merchant Panel for you to be able to add the relevant Participation Number per category.

What if you don't prove that you comply with the Austrian EPR Law? 

Joom is legally obliged to check if you comply with your EPR obligations in Austria and, if you do not, will impose an activity ban on sales to Austria.

If you want to continue selling your products in Austria, you are required to ensure your compliance with the Austrian EPR law by completing the above listed obligations until 1 April 2023.