The entry of BDO, i.e. into the Database on Products and Packaging and Waste Management, is one of the steps for entrepreneurs operating in Poland. This system aims to monitor and manage waste to ensure compliance with environmental legislation. Registration with the BDO register is mandatory for many businesses. If you are facing the registration process, read our article to find out more.
When is BDO entry compulsory?
An application for entry in the BDO Register must be submitted by the entities listed in Article 50(1) of the Waste Act of 14 December 2012. According to this article, this obligation depends on the area and scope of the company's activities. Companies that should file include those that market products such as oils, lubricating preparations or pneumatic tyres, as well as those that recycle, recover or export them. In addition, the obligation applies to recovery organisations and companies dealing with vehicles, excluding vintage vehicles, including those that place vehicles on the market, operate vehicle collection points, dismantling stations or shredders.
Likewise, companies dealing with electrical or electronic equipment, from the collection of waste equipment to its processing, recycling and recovery, must make an entry in the BDO. This obligation also applies to companies related to batteries and accumulators and packaging, both in the context of their production and the recovery and recycling of packaging waste.
Waste transport and waste trading activities also require registration with the BDO. Municipalities operating selective municipal waste collection points and companies collecting municipal waste from property owners are required to make an entry.
It is worth noting that the size of the company does not matter when registering with BDO. Even one-person businesses that have to keep records of waste are required to submit an application. This includes beauty salons, dental practices, grocery shops, craft workshops and construction companies. Any entity that generates waste other than that exempted by the Climate Minister's Decree of 23 December 2019 must be included in the BDO Register.
How to make an entry in the BDO register?
If you need to make an entry in BDO, you will complete the application in the BDO system. When completing the documentation, enter data that is consistent with the nature of your business. An element of the application is a declaration in which you confirm that you meet the requirements for entry and that the data provided are factually correct. You make this declaration under pain of criminal liability for false statements.
To send an application, you must complete all fields marked with a red asterisk. If any of these fields are omitted or filled in incorrectly, the system will not allow you to proceed to the next step. In the application, you only complete the sections that apply to your business.
When you are in the BDO system and your application for entry is complete, a copy of the proof of payment of the registration fee, if required, should be included in your documentation. Depending on the type of business, you may be required to attach additional documents, such as agreements with recovery organisations or bank certificates for share capital.
What else is worth knowing?
BDO - entry in the register must be obtained before you start your business. The Marshal has 30 days to enter you in the register from the moment you submit a complete and correct application. Once you have been entered, you will receive an electronic notification and an individual registration number, which you must include on documents relating to your business.
The provincial marshal may refuse entry into the BDO Register if you fail to pay the required registration fee, submit financial security in the appropriate amount or pay share capital if you are a recovery organisation.
Penalties for non-compliance with BDO registration, record-keeping and reporting regulations are divided into two main categories. The first is penalties imposed by the courts, which can range from a fine of PLN 100 to more than PLN 1 million or imprisonment. The second category is administrative fines imposed by the Provincial Inspector of Environmental Protection. These penalties can range from PLN 5,000 to PLN 1 million. The amount of sanctions depends on the type and scale of the infringement, and their purpose is to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to promote responsible waste management.
Remember that registration with BDO is not only an obligation, but also an opportunity to improve the management of the company and building a positive image as a company that cares about the environment. Regularly updating the data in the register and consciously managing waste can contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of your business. If you want to take advantage of these benefits, but are unsure exactly how to operate with the Product and Packaging and Waste Management Database, the EKOPRO Group has a BDO service for companies. We also provide environmental consulting.
