Packaging Licensing – Is Pre-Participation Possible?
Germany and Austria follow different rules regarding the licensing or discharge of sales, service and transport packaging.
In Germany, the Packaging Act (VerpackG) applies, while in Austria, the Packaging Ordinance (VVO) and the Waste Management Act (AWG) define the details.
A common question is whether pre-participation or upstream licensing by the supplier is possible – for example, for service or shipping packaging. The factsheet below provides an overview of how both countries handle these requirements.
Pre-licensing (DE: Vorbeteiligung) or upstream exemption (AT: Upstream Model) defines whether a supplier can assume the packaging licensing obligations before passing the goods on to the next party in the supply chain. The table below highlights the key differences between Germany and Austria.
Pre-Licensing / Upstream Exemption – Germany vs. Austria
| Topic | Germany (VerpackG) | Austria (Packaging Ordinance & AWG) | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Pre-participation: the upstream distributor (supplier) licenses service packaging via a system before handing it over to the final distributor. | Upstream exemption: supplier fulfils packaging obligations before transfer to the primary obligated party (contractually / system-based). | DE: §7, §3 (8) VerpackG AT: §13g AWG, §3/§4 Packaging Ordinance (system-based) |
| Permissibility | Only permitted for service packaging. Shipping / sales packaging: no pre-licensing exception → must be licensed by the distributor. | Permitted if the system contract and documentation clearly define the upstream exemption. | DE: §7 VerpackG AT: §13g AWG, system T&Cs (e.g. ARA / Reclay) |
| Roles & Registration | Supplier participates in the system; final distributor must still register in LUCID (“only pre-licensed service packaging”). | Supplier or primary obligated party signs the system contract; registration with a collection & recovery system required. | DE: §9 VerpackG AT: §13g AWG, §3 Packaging Ordinance |
| Data / Volume Reporting | Volume reporting to LUCID & system; proof of pre-licensing (invoice / delivery note / system confirmation) required. | Volume reporting to the system per contract; clear allocation needed for upstream exemptions. | DE: §10 VerpackG AT: §13g AWG (system reporting) |
| Scope | Service packaging: pre-licensing allowed. Shipping / sales packaging: obligation for first distributor. Transport packaging handled separately (take-back duty). | Depends on product flow / contract. Transport packaging subject to separate take-back and information obligations. | DE: §7, §15 VerpackG AT: §3/§4 Packaging Ordinance |
| Cross-Border / B2C | Obligations depend on destination country. In Germany, LUCID registration applies to the first distributor. | Foreign distance sellers → authorised representative in Austria required for B2C sales. | DE: VerpackG AT: AWG / Packaging Ordinance (Authorisation) |
| Typical Errors | Pre-licensing incorrectly applied to shipping packaging; LUCID registration omitted. | Missing / unclear contractual representation of upstream exemption; incomplete volume documentation. | DE: §9–§11, §34 VerpackG AT: §22, §79 AWG |
| Sanctions | Fines up to €200,000; sales ban in case of missing registration or participation. | Administrative fines up to €37,000; sales bans for violations. | DE: §34 VerpackG AT: §79 AWG |
Practical Notes & Disclaimer
Pre-licensing (DE) or upstream exemption (AT) requires clear contractual and system-based documentation. Without verifiable proof, the obligations remain with the first distributor.
Status: 2025 · Sources: BMUV, Central Packaging Register (LUCID), BMK, ARA, Reclay · All information without guarantee.