A significant rule change has applied to international mail order companies that deliver goods to Austria since 2023. This states that they must appoint an authorised representative based in Austria if they import packaging materials into Austria. These retailers are therefore no longer responsible for fulfilling their own legal obligations. The regulation applies to all companies without a registered office or branch in Austria that sell products (including packaging) to private end customers in Austria. The authorised person assumes responsibility for compliance with the obligations of mail order companies and acts as their representative in Austria.

In order to act as an authorised representative, the person or legal entity must fulfil the following criteria:

• have a valid address in Austria
• have an official place of business in Austria
• is appointed by a notarised power of attorney
• is responsible for compliance with the administrative regulations pursuant to §9 of the Austrian Administrative Penal Code

Since 2023, retailers who sell their products via online marketplaces or use fulfilment services must provide appropriate evidence of compliance with the provisions of the German Packaging Ordinance (VerpackVO). If this evidence cannot be provided, marketplace operators are obliged to remove the retailers in question from their platforms. Similarly, fulfilment service providers may no longer provide services to retailers who are unable to provide the required evidence.

Distributors of reusable packaging, sales packaging and certain single-use plastic products are obliged to fulfil their reporting obligations by 15 March each year.

Suppliers of commercial packaging, i.e. packaging that is not sent to private end consumers but to business customers such as intermediaries or companies, must participate in a corresponding system. The only exceptions to this regulation are for bulk collection points and own importers.

Anyone importing single-use plastic products such as wet wipes, balloons, tobacco products or fishing tackle into Austria must also appoint an authorised representative. In addition, participation in a system is required for these products.

It is also important to note that certain single-use plastic products such as cotton buds, disposable cutlery, disposable tableware, drinking straws, sticks for balloons and food packaging made of expanded polystyrene have already been subject to a comprehensive import ban in Austria since 3 July 2021.

The change in the law now offers companies the flexibility to decide for themselves whether they want to display the Green Dot (“Der Grüne Punkt”) symbol on their packaging. Those that choose to retain the symbol can continue to do so. On the other hand, companies that decide not to use the symbol now have the freedom to remove it from their packaging. This innovation simplifies and flexibilises the process for manufacturers and retailers.

In the past, exporters who shipped their products to Spain had to affix the Green Dot (“Der Grüne Punkt”) symbol to their packaging and register it with a local licensing body. This requirement was lifted as it was recognised that the symbol alone did not provide sufficient information about the recyclability of the packaging. It mainly served as proof that the manufacturer or retailer was making a financial contribution to the recycling process. This obligation is now covered by registration in the central packaging register.

For all those who sell their products on Amazon, there are important changes to consider before the end of the year, especially when it comes to selling on amazon.es.

Spain has issued new regulations, including Royal Decree 1055/2022 on packaging and packaging waste and Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated land in the context of a circular economy.

What needs to be done?

• Show compliance: In order to comply with the extended producer responsibility for packaging, distributors need a Spanish tax number (NIF) and an authorized person in Spain. Amazon supports these companies with the EPR service.
• Ministry of Miteco: On the website of the Ministry of Miteco, distributors must select the appropriate Producer Responsibility Organization for their products and register in the producer directory.
• Environmental fees: Depending on the organization selected, environmental fees may apply. Registration must be completed by December 31, 2023, otherwise Amazon will pay on behalf of the company placing the product on the market.

A proxy is a person or organization authorized by an official power of attorney to perform specific tasks on behalf of another person. This power of attorney is a written document that confirms that the person or organization in question (your proxy) may act on your behalf. In most countries, any natural or legal person who is resident in the country in question, has a local address and has been appointed by means of a notarized power of attorney can act as proxy.

The search for a suitable proxy can be complicated. We offer a licensing service, through which we can take care of all of the compliance in the respective countries for you.

For shipping to certain countries, including Austria, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece and Slovakia, it is necessary to appoint an authorized representative. Let’s take a closer look at the requirements in these countries.

Austria

Since the Packaging Ordinance in Austria was updated on January 1, 2023, retailers who do not have a place of business in Austria must appoint an authorized representative for shipments to this country. This regulation affects you if you deliver packaging materials to consumers in Austria. As a foreign company, you must ensure through your authorized representative that you comply with the requirements of the Austrian Packaging Ordinance. Since January 1, 2023, it is no longer possible for companies that are not based in Austria to carry out licensing independently.

Required Measures:

• Appointment of an authorized representative in Austria.
• Keeping records of the packaging materials distributed in Austria.
• Transmission of the packaging quantities to your authorized representative (annually up to 1,500 kg, quarterly up to 20,000 kg, monthly over 20,000 kg).
• Payment of the fees for the authorized representative and for disposal.

Slovenia

In Slovenia, an important regulation based on an amendment to the Environmental Protection Act came into force on April 24, 2021. This regulation, issued by the Slovenian government, stipulates that all foreign companies that sell packaging on the Slovenian market must appoint a local authorized representative. This authorized representative is then responsible for ensuring compliance with the take-back obligations. This regulation applies regardless of the quantity of packaging put into circulation. Please note that an additional environmental levy must be paid from an annual quantity of 15 tons.

Required Measures:

• Appointment of an authorized representative in Slovenia.
• Keep accounts of the packaging quantities put into circulation in Slovenia.
• Quarterly reporting of packaging quantities to the authorized representative.
• Payment of disposal fees (licensing) and fees for the authorized representative.

Portugal

In Portugal, the environmental authority APA has tightened the regulations on packaging with effect from January 1, 2022 by introducing the mandatory appointment of an authorized representative for all packaging. This regulation particularly affects non-Portuguese manufacturers who sell their products directly to private end consumers in Portugal. In this case, all relevant obligations must be fulfilled by the authorized representative.

Required Measures:

• Appointment of an authorized representative in Portugal.
• Documentation and tracking of the quantities of packaging put into circulation in Portugal.
• Annual reporting of packaging quantities to the authorized representative.
• Payment of the fees incurred for the authorization and for the take-back system.

Greece

A new law came into force in Greece on July 1, 2021, replacing the previous regulations from 2001. Since then, non-Greek retailers who ship goods to Greece are also obliged to register with the Greek take-back system. For companies without a registered office in Greece, the appointment of an authorized representative is also required.

Required Measures:

• Appointment of an authorized representative in Greece.
• Documentation of the quantities of packaging put into circulation in Greece.
• Annual transmission of the packaging quantities to the authorized representative.
• Payment of the costs incurred by the authorized representative and for disposal.

Slovakia

As of January 1, 2022, foreign mail order companies that do not have a registered office in the Slovak Republic must process their obligations via an authorized representative. This authorized representative assumes responsibility for fulfilling all legal obligations and acts on behalf of the trader.

Required Measures:

• Appointment of an authorized representative in Slovakia.
• Documentation of the quantities of packaging placed on the Slovakian market.
• Quarterly reporting of packaging quantities to the authorized representative.
• Payment of the costs incurred by the authorized representative and for disposal.

Spain

A new law came into force in Spain on 27 December 2022, replacing the previous regulations. Since then, foreign traders without a registered office in Spain are obliged to appoint an authorised representative.

Measures required:

• Appointment of an authorised representative in Spain.
• Documentation of the quantities of packaging put into circulation in Spain.
• Annual transmission of the packaging quantities to the authorised representative.
• Payment of the costs incurred by the authorised representative and for disposal.

Packaging legislation remains an important and dynamic topic. The trend of more and more countries requiring the appointment of an authorized representative for foreign distributors is likely to continue. With the constant revision of legislation and the introduction of new control mechanisms in various countries, it remains an area where up-to-date information is crucial. We will continue to update this post to keep you up to date with the latest developments and requirements.

Before the introduction of new rules, online traders who sold their products to other European countries had to regulate VAT according to certain thresholds. These thresholds determined whether the tax was payable in the country of origin or the country of destination of the goods. Each EU member state set its own thresholds, which were usually set at an annual turnover of EUR 35,000 or EUR 100,000.

For example: A German online retailer who sold goods worth more than EUR 35,000 per year to France previously had to register with the French tax office and pay French VAT (20%). If the turnover was below this threshold, German VAT (19%, or at times 16%) was due.

In addition, imports from non-EU countries for goods under EUR 22 were exempt from tax until this date.

Since July 1, 2021, these provisions have largely been replaced by the VAT eCommerce package adopted in 2017 for all EU countries.

Since July 1, 2021, a uniform EU sales threshold of EUR 10,000 (net) per year has replaced the delivery thresholds previously set individually by each EU country. This means that traders who exceed this threshold in an EU country must pay VAT in the respective country of destination.

In addition, traders who previously remained below the individual country turnover thresholds, but who have a total turnover of more than EUR 10,000 (net) throughout the EU, must pay tax on their products for cross-border B2C deliveries in the respective country of destination (for more information on the turnover threshold, see “Threshold regulation 2021“). A pan-European cumulative turnover threshold now applies. If a trader exceeds this threshold, they will be liable to pay tax in all EU countries in which they sell to private consumers. The previous tax exemption for goods under EUR 22 no longer applies, resulting in an increased tax liability for many retailers.

Example 1: A German retailer who sells exclusively to private customers in Spain and generates an EU-wide turnover of over EUR 10,000 must now pay Spanish VAT of 21% – previously it was 19%.

Example 2: If a German retailer sells to private customers in France, Spain and Italy and only exceeds the EUR 10,000 turnover threshold per year in Italy, they will still be liable for VAT in all three countries as the EU-wide threshold has been exceeded.

As VAT rates in EU countries vary between 17% and 27%, this change can significantly increase costs for many traders. To minimize the administrative burden caused by the need to register for VAT in each country of destination, the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) procedure has been introduced.

Until the EU-wide turnover threshold of EUR 10,000 per year is reached, entrepreneurs must pay tax on turnover from sales to other EU countries in the country of origin instead of in the country of destination of the goods.

The regulations relate exclusively to sales generated outside Germany. Only cross-border sales within the EU are taken into account when reaching the EUR 10,000 threshold.

The Mini-One-Stop-Shop scheme (MOSS), introduced in 2015, was expanded to the more comprehensive OSS scheme for e-commerce in 2021. Online traders who exceed the EU-wide turnover threshold of EUR 10,000 can use the OSS procedure to declare their turnover in different countries. All EU-wide B2C sales of goods and services are recorded in the OSS system.

Traders can use this system to settle their entire VAT liability from different countries in a single payment. In Germany, the OSS system is administered by the Federal Central Tax Office, which then forwards the VAT paid to the relevant EU countries.

Participation in the One-Stop-Shop procedure is voluntary for traders, but offers considerable advantages and simplifications, especially for smaller traders. Without the OSS procedure, traders who exceed the turnover threshold would have to appoint a tax consultant or service provider for each destination country in order to fulfill the respective VAT obligations abroad. This would not only result in one-off registration costs, but also ongoing monthly costs. By using the OSS procedure, retailers can avoid this expense and conveniently report all sales online.

The current OSS procedure does not cover all online retail scenarios. Special cases, such as the use of fulfillment services abroad or sales via online marketplaces, cannot yet be fully integrated into the OSS procedure.

One example of this is the sale of a German online retailer via an Amazon program such as Pan EU or CEE. In such cases, the goods are often stored in a fulfillment center abroad, for example in Poland, and shipped to consumers from there. These processes lead to intra-Community transfers and acquisitions (B2B transactions), which cannot yet be mapped in the OSS procedure. In such cases, traders must either register for VAT directly in the destination country if they exceed the EUR 10,000 threshold, or in Germany if their total turnover in the EU is less than EUR 10,000.

The current regulations only apply to B2C sales of goods and services within the European Union. These changes do not apply to transactions with third countries outside the EU. This means that the VAT law of the country of dispatch applies to shipments from the EU to third countries. German VAT law therefore applies to shipments from Germany to non-EU third countries. Here it is particularly important to observe the obligation to provide evidence (further information is available).

The labelling requirements in Italy are defined by Decree 116/2020. Since 1 January 2022, online retailers have been obliged to label product, shipping and transport packaging in Italy to ensure that it can be subjected to an efficient recycling process. In the Italian Packaging Act, these regulations consist of both mandatory requirements and voluntary recommendations.

The aim of the regulations is to ensure that recyclable packaging generated by Italian end consumers can be easily distinguished from other types of packaging. This enables consumers to dispose of it properly and thus promotes the recycling process. At the heart of the law is the endeavour to increase resource protection and improve the circular economy. In this way, Italy is contributing to more sustainable practices and the responsible use of packaging materials.

The regulations for different types of packaging have specific requirements in some cases. It is crucial to label packaging with easily recognisable disposal instructions for consumers. According to Directive 97/192/EC, the composition of the packaging materials must be indicated by an alphanumeric code. For this purpose, each component of the packaging must be labelled with a corresponding code and clearly visible disposal instructions. The consumer information should also be written in easily understandable Italian. In some cases, the required information on composition and correct disposal can also be provided via QR codes or websites. This enables flexible and modern implementation of the labelling requirements.

In order to facilitate the practical implementation of these regulations, the national packaging consortium CONAI has published a guide to the decree. For detailed steps and further information on the obligations in Italy, you can find the guide here.

1. Labelling of packaging for private end users: Packaging that is disposed of by private end users must be clearly labelled with a clear disposal notice.
2. Alphanumeric code according to 97/192/EC for packaging materials: The composition of the packaging materials is indicated by an alphanumeric code in accordance with Directive 97/192/EC.
3. Comprehensible information in Italian: The information provided should be written in easily understandable Italian to ensure clear communication with consumers.
4. Recommendation for individual labelling of material components: It is recommended that each individual material component of the packaging is labelled with its corresponding material code and disposal instruction.
5. Freedom of graphic design in Italian: There are no precise specifications for the graphic design of the information, except that it must be written in Italian.
6. Information via QR codes or websites: In some cases, information on composition and correct disposal can also be provided via QR codes or on websites.

Contents of the new EPR law in Denmark

The Danish parliament has passed the EPR Directive for packaging and single-use plastic products. One major change is the redistribution of costs: what was previously borne by citizens will now be passed on to manufacturers. They will now have to bear the costs of collecting and sorting household waste and participate in programs to reduce packaging waste and promote recycling. It is estimated that around 41,000 companies will be affected by this regulation. In addition, charges will be introduced for the disposal of single-use plastic.

There is some relief for smaller manufacturers: Companies that produce less than 8 tons of packaging per year will have to provide less detailed information. This regulation will be reviewed again in 2027.

Important deadlines for companies

Companies that place packaging on the market in Denmark should take note: Registration in the manufacturer register and the quantity notification must take place between 1 April and 1 September 2024.

Implementation of producer responsibility

Manufacturers can fulfill their responsibility either individually or by participating in collective packaging systems. These systems must cover all types of packaging and operate nationally. The existing Danish system for electronic and battery waste will be extended to also monitor packaging.

The background to the new regulation

This policy decision aims to identify those in the value chain who have the greatest influence on packaging design. It is an important step towards improving waste management and recycling in Denmark and strengthening the circular economy.

The Triman logo is a French labeling system that aims to inform consumers about the correct disposal of products and packaging. It serves as a visual indication that the product and packaging must be disposed of separately to enable effective recycling. Producers, importers and sellers are obliged to provide additional information on proper disposal alongside the Triman logo. This makes it easier for consumers to properly separate and dispose of products and packaging, which in turn helps to promote an efficient circular economy.

Since 1 January 2022, it has been mandatory for distributors of household packaging on the French market to start implementing the so-called sorting information.

According to this catalogue of requirements, all sales packaging must bear the Triman logo and sorting information specially developed for the French market from 9 September 2022. In addition to the country abbreviation for France (ideally supplemented by the abbreviation “FR” for sales outside France), these separation instructions also contain information on the individual packaging components and the corresponding separation containers. The presentation of the separation instructions can be in text form (in French), as a pictogram or in a combination of both, whereby strict country-specific presentation rules must be observed.

• In France, all non-glass packaging is usually disposed of in the “yellow bin”, while glass packaging must be disposed of in the green glass container. This simplifies labelling and separation for consumers.
• In the case of packaging with several components, these must be listed individually and categorised accordingly.

Please also use our download offer at the end of this article.

These labelling regulations apply to all sales packaging distributed in France and affect both domestic and foreign distributors, regardless of the distribution channel. Exceptions to the new sorting information are:

Glass beverage containers

The Triman logo and the country-specific segregation information on the labelling of glass beverage containers is voluntary. If labels still have outdated markings, these must be updated by 9 March 2023 at the latest.

Small packaging units

For packaging smaller than 10 cm² without instructions for use or similar, the information about the Triman logo and the separation instructions must be available electronically (e.g. on the website, the product page in the online shop, etc.).

Packaging with a size of 10 to 20 cm² without instructions for use or similar must be labelled with the Triman logo, while the separation instructions must be available electronically (e.g. on the website, the product page in the online shop, etc.).

In the case of packaging up to 20 cm² that contains instructions for use or similar, both the Triman logo and the separation instructions must appear on this insert.

The labelling obligation is linked to a licensing obligation in France. The obligation to label and licence the sales packaging arises as soon as a single product is sold on the French market.

The changes to the French law on extended producer responsibility (EPR) have resulted in new requirements: By 15 October 2023, it was necessary to submit a plan to the French dual system to reduce the environmental impact of your packaging. This plan will be reviewed for effectiveness every five years and updated if necessary. You have the option of joining a collective plan or creating an individual plan.

In the pursuit of a more efficient and environmentally friendly circular economy, France has decided to merge the value chains for graphic paper and household packaging from January 2024. This decision aims to create synergies and minimise the environmental impact of production and disposal.

What does this mean in concrete terms? An improved circular system that covers the entire life cycle of graphic paper and household packaging. From production to recycling – all under one sustainable roof. Thanks to this merger, we will be able to offer you support for the entire new sector, household packaging and graphic paper, under a single contract from January 2024.