Austria: Battery Registration is mandatory

Preliminary information: more details will follow in Q4 2021

An amendment to the Austrian Battery Ordinance came into force on 8^th July 2021. We would like to inform you about important changes that will take place starting January 2022. With the adjustment of the term “Producer”, non-Austrian distance sellers who sell directly to end users in Austria are now obliged to participate in a take-back system and to appoint an authorized representative. Furthermore, there are changes regarding obligations to provide information in stores.   

Further Information

Particularly, we would like to inform you in detail about the following:

1. Appointment of an authorized representative starting 1^st January 2022
2. Obligation to provide information for portable batteries in stores starting 1^st January 2022

1.  Appointment of an authorized representative starting 1^st January 2022

The amended ordinance now defines the term “Producer” to include non-Austrian companies that place batteries on the Austrian market.

As with electronic and electrical equipment, non-Austrian sellers are allowed to deliver to Austrian end users only if an authorized representative has been appointed. The representative is responsible for fulfilling the producer’s obligation for batteries in Austria.

Sellers based in other EU member states who sell batteries to Austrian resellers can voluntarily appoint an authorized representative and participate in a take-back system. Registration is not required nor possible for sellers based outside the EU who sell exclusively to resellers.

2. Obligation to provide information for portable batteries in stores starting 1^st January 2022

Retailers selling portable batteries have to inform customers about the free return of used portable batteries in a clearly visible place, if possible in the checkout area of ​​their stores.

Retailers selling portable batteries must also provide easily recognisable containers  for used portable batteries in an accessible and clearly visible location in their stores. If special used portable batteries are to be returned for free directly to an employee and not via a collection container, this information must be provided in a clearly visible and understandable manner in stores. 

Online sellers of portable batteries are still obliged to inform end users about the public collection points where used portable batteries can be returned.

If you need a battery registration for Austria, take-e-way is happy to help you as a reliable partner.

Should you have any queries related to the amendment, please do not hesitate to approach Peter Daniel Akut (+49/40/750687-112) and Marie Elfert (+49/40/750687-127) via international@take-e-way.de.

For more information on our international compliance services related to the placing on the market of electronic equipment, batteries/accumulators and packaged products or packaging, please click here: https://www.take-e-way.com/services/international-compliance/