Registration in the polish BDO Register
If you operate a foreign company and sell your products to customers in Poland, in many cases you are legally required to register with the Polish BDO Register (EPR Poland).
This obligation applies both to businesses that have a branch in Poland and to companies selling products on the Polish market without having a registered office in Poland.
It includes, among others, businesses selling products through marketplaces such as Amazon, Allegro, Temu, eBay, Kaufland Marketplace, as well as through their own online stores.
Obtaining a BDO registration number is essential for complying with the Polish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. Failure to register may result in significant administrative penalties and restrictions or suspension of sales on online marketplaces.
We specialize in providing comprehensive BDO registration services for foreign companies. We prepare all required documentation, submit the registration application to the competent Marshal’s Office, and continue to support our clients after their registration has been completed.
Why does a foreign company need a BDO registration?
An increasing number of foreign manufacturers and online sellers operate on the Polish market without establishing a company in Poland. However, this does not exempt them from complying with Polish environmental regulations.
If you place products on the Polish market, you may be required to register in the BDO Register, regardless of the country where your business is established.
Like other European Union Member States, Poland applies the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system. Under these regulations, businesses placing certain products on the market are responsible for financing and organizing the management of waste generated from those products and their packaging.
Every business subject to the Polish EPR regulations must register in the Database on Products, Packaging and Waste Management (BDO). The BDO Register serves as Poland’s official national EPR register.
Your BDO registration number is also your official EPR number in Poland. Businesses use this number to fulfil their legal obligations and when cooperating with online marketplaces and business partners.
Obtaining a BDO registration is the first and most important step towards complying with Polish EPR regulations. Without registration, a business cannot legally fulfil its environmental obligations. Failure to obtain a BDO number may lead to substantial administrative fines as well as restrictions or suspension of sales on marketplaces such as Amazon, Allegro and Temu.
Which foreign companies must register in BDO?
BDO registration is required for foreign businesses placing the following products on the Polish market, among others:
– packaged products,
– packaging,
– electrical and electronic equipment (EEE),
– batteries and accumulators,
– vehicles,
– tyres,
– lubricating oils and lubricants,
– single-use plastic products (SUP).
The registration requirement may apply to manufacturers, importers, distributors, as well as online sellers supplying products to customers in Poland.
BDO registration for foreign companies – what does our service include?
We provide complete support throughout the entire registration process.
Our service includes:
– analysing your business activities to determine whether BDO registration is required,
– determining the appropriate scope of registration,
– preparing all required documentation,
– preparing the BDO registration application,
– submitting the application to the competent Marshal’s Office,
– communicating with the authorities during the registration process,
– assisting with your first login to the BDO system,
– ongoing support after obtaining your BDO registration number.
How does the registration process work?
The registration process is straightforward and requires minimal involvement from your side.
1. Contact us
2. We will ask you to provide your company’s identification details;
3. We will send you all documents and instructions required for the BDO registration;
4. We will determine the appropriate scope of your BDO registration;
5. We will prepare and submit the registration application to the competent Marshal’s Office;
6. Once your registration has been approved, we will guide you through the first login to the BDO system;
7. We also provide ongoing support regarding EPR obligations and environmental reporting;
How much does BDO registration cost?
The cost of preparing and submitting a BDO registration application for a foreign company is: PLN 2,000 net (approximately EUR 500).
Where should a foreign company submit a BDO registration application?
If a foreign company has a branch in Poland, the application should be submitted to the Marshal’s Office competent for the location of that branch.
If the company does not have a branch in Poland, the application must be submitted to the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship.
The application must be submitted in paper form together with the required supporting documents.
After registration, the company receives its BDO registration number and gains access to the BDO system.
How does a foreign company access the BDO System?
After registration, access to the BDO system is provided through the National Electronic Identification Node (WKIE).
The person representing the company does not need to be a Polish citizen.
Identity can be verified using a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or online banking, provided the representative has a Polish PESEL number.
Alternatively, the company may appoint an authorised representative holding a PESEL number to act on its behalf within the BDO system.
When should you Register in BDO?
A company must obtain its BDO registration before commencing any activity subject to the registration requirement.
This means your BDO number should be issued before you start selling products on the Polish market.
How long does BDO registration take?
Some businesses are required to pay an official registration fee.
The fee amounts to:
– PLN 200 – micro-enterprises,
– PLN 800 – all other businesses.
Proof of payment must be attached to the registration application.
Do foreign companies need an Authorized Representative in Poland?
Unlike in some other European Union countries, Polish Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations do not currently require foreign businesses to appoint an Authorized Representative solely for the purpose of registering in the Polish BDO Register.
This means that foreign companies placing products on the Polish market are responsible for fulfilling their EPR obligations directly by obtaining a BDO registration, maintaining the required records, and submitting annual reports through the BDO system.
In practice, however, complying with Polish EPR regulations requires a thorough understanding of national legislation, the operation of the BDO system, and the timely fulfilment of reporting obligations. For this reason, many foreign manufacturers, importers, and online sellers choose to work with experienced environmental compliance consultants.
We provide comprehensive support not only with BDO registration in Poland, but also with ongoing compliance, annual BDO reporting, environmental record-keeping, and all obligations arising from Polish EPR legislation.
Annual reporting obligations for foreign companies in the Polish BDO System
Obtaining a BDO registration number is only the first step towards complying with Polish environmental regulations. Foreign companies registered in the BDO Register are also required to maintain appropriate records and submit annual reports through the BDO system.
The reporting obligations depend on the type of products placed on the Polish market and may include, among others:
packaged products,
packaging,
electrical and electronic equipment (EEE),
batteries and accumulators,
single-use plastic products (SUP),
Annual reports include information on the quantity (weight) of products or packaging placed on the Polish market and the manner in which the company’s EPR obligations have been fulfilled.
As a general rule, the annual BDO report must be submitted by 15 March each year for the previous calendar year. Failure to submit the report on time or submitting incorrect information may result in administrative penalties and other legal consequences.
We continue to support our clients after their BDO registration has been completed. Our services include preparing annual BDO reports and ensuring ongoing compliance with Polish EPR and BDO regulations.
Consequences of not registering in the polish BDO Register
Operating without the required BDO registration may have serious legal consequences.
Polish regulations provide for administrative fines ranging from PLN 1,000 to PLN 1,000,000 for carrying out activities without the required BDO registration.
In addition, online marketplaces such as Amazon, Allegro and Temu increasingly require sellers to provide a valid BDO number or EPR registration number. Failure to obtain the required registration may result in restrictions on selling or suspension of product listings.
Why choose us?
For many years, we have been helping businesses comply with Polish environmental regulations.
We support both Polish and foreign companies operating on the Polish market. We provide comprehensive BDO registration services, represent our clients before the competent authorities, and assist them with ongoing EPR and BDO compliance.
Thanks to our experience, you can start selling in Poland with confidence, knowing that your business complies with all applicable legal requirements while avoiding unnecessary delays and costly administrative mistakes.