Authorized Representative in Poland

Every business placing electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on the Polish market must comply with the WEEE Act. Polish companies can do so independently or through a collection organization. Foreign companies, however, must appoint an authorized representative in Poland to perform the importer’s duties on their behalf.

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Who is required to appoint an authorized representative in Poland?

You must appoint a representative if your company:

produces electrical and electronic equipment, imports it or makes intra-Community acquisitions, or has it produced under its own brand,
is based outside of Poland,
sells WEEE to customers in Poland via distance selling (e-commerce, marketplace, etc.).

Fines for failure to appoint range from PLN 15,000 to PLN 500,000.

Who can be an authorized representative in Poland?

The role of authorized representative in Poland can be performed by:

natural persons,
legal persons,
organizational entities without legal personality.

The only legal requirement is to have a registered office in Poland.

To appoint an authorized representative for your company in Poland, you must conclude a written contract with the chosen entity. Once the contract is signed, the selected representative will assume your company’s obligations through the collection agency.

Your company’s authorized representative may also be an electrical and electronic equipment recovery organization, such as Interzero.

Interzero: Your Authorized Representative in Poland

Interzero offers authorized representative services in Poland to all companies that place electrical and electronic equipment on the Polish market. As a recycling organization for electrical and electronic equipment, Interzero handles all your company’s obligations without intermediaries. Our experts will analyze the specifics of your business, determine the type and status of the distributor’s obligations, and propose the most advantageous solution.

By contracting directly with Interzero, you can be sure that your company’s legal obligations will be met reliably, promptly, and completely .

If you are an intra-EU supplier of equipment or sell directly to customers outside Poland via distance selling, we can also assist you in appointing an authorized representative in the other EU countries where the Interzero Group operates: Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.

Why appoint an authorized representative in Poland?

Appointing an authorized representative in Poland is not only a legal requirement, but also brings numerous benefits to your company. Which ones? Let’s find out.

Thanks to the collaboration with Interzero:

You fulfill your legal obligation by appointing an authorized representative in Poland,
You have the certainty that all the activities carried out on behalf of your company comply with current legislation,
Avoid serious consequences resulting from incorrect application or failure to comply with your company’s legal obligations (e.g. financial penalties),
Offer foreign distributors of your equipment the added benefit of being exempt from equipment importer obligations.

What responsibilities do we assume as an authorized representative of your company?

As your company’s authorized representative in Poland, Interzero takes care of all obligations under the WEEE Act . These responsibilities include:

organization and financing of the collection and treatment of WEEE,
achievement of the minimum annual WEEE collection rates (from 2021, equal to 65% of the average annual weight of equipment placed on the market),
achievement of minimum levels of recovery, preparation for reuse and recycling of WEEE,
stipulation of contracts with recyclers in compliance with legal provisions,
implementation of environmental awareness and education campaigns,
annual reporting of environmental education activities.

Remember: the manufacturer’s obligations apply to all entities selling electrical and electronic equipment remotely directly to users in Poland, regardless of the type and quantity of equipment placed on the market .

Sign a contract with Interzero today: with us, you’ll be freed from burdensome responsibilities and can dedicate more time to what really matters for growing your business.

Why choose Interzero?

Interzero has been providing integrated environmental services to clients in Poland, Europe, and the rest of the world for over 30 years. We have extensive experience, in-depth expertise, and a qualified team of specialists who support businesses on a daily basis in virtually all areas of environmental protection.

Why choose Interzero as your company’s authorized representative in Poland?

We recover Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and have been fulfilling the legal obligations of the sender for our customers for years.
We offer competitive rates and the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of other environmental services from a single source.
Our experts have in-depth knowledge and extensive experience, ensuring your company’s obligations are handled efficiently and seamlessly.
We operate in several EU countries and can therefore also act as an authorised representative in other member states.

Not sure whether your company needs to appoint an authorized representative in Poland? Do you have questions about the authorized representative service? Or do you want to establish an authorized representative in other EU countries?
Contact us! Our experts will be happy to help you and clarify any questions you may have.

FAQ

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the Authorized Representative for EPR service in Poland.

Who is an authorized representative?

An authorized representative is a person with a registered office or domicile in Poland who assumes responsibility for fulfilling the legal obligations of manufacturers placing electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) on the Polish market.

Can be:

a natural person,
an organizational unit without legal personality,
a legal entity, including an EEE recovery organization.

All obligations of the authorized representative are carried out through an EEE recovery organization.

The authorized representative assumes obligations only for equipment from the manufacturer with whom they have signed a written contract. Once the contract is signed, the representative is responsible for fulfilling legal obligations, even if they collaborate with a recycling organization.

Who is required to appoint an authorized representative in Poland?

The obligation applies to companies that are not registered in Poland and sell electrical and electronic equipment directly to Polish consumers via distance communication (e.g. e-commerce, marketplaces).

Companies that sell WEEE through traditional channels (physical stores, showrooms) can decide whether or not to appoint an authorized representative.

Since when is there an obligation to appoint an authorized representative in Poland?

The obligation was introduced by the Law of 11 September 2015 on the treatment of WEEE, which came into force on 1 January 2016.
Since then, any company based in an EU country other than Poland that sells equipment to Polish consumers via distance communication must appoint an authorized representative in Poland.

Who can be an authorized representative of a company in Poland?

According to the WEEE Law, the authorised representative can be:

a natural person,
an organizational unit without legal personality,
a legal entity established in Poland, including an EEE recovery organization.

Each manufacturer can choose as a representative any entity that meets these requirements, evaluating, for example, price, additional services, or previous collaboration experience.

Who is a producer according to the WEEE law in Poland?

The law of 11 September 2015 defines the producer not only as the actual manufacturer, but also as anyone who:

it matters,
carries out intra-Community acquisitions of equipment,
or order equipment under your own brand.

According to Article 4(11) of the Act, a producer is “a natural person, an organizational unit without legal personality or a legal person established in an EU country other than Poland which:

manufactures equipment under his own name or trademark or markets equipment designed or manufactured for him under his own name or trademark,
resells equipment manufactured by others under its own name or brand,
supplies equipment to another country for distribution or use for the first time on the market of an EU country in which it is established (other than Poland),
sells equipment nationwide via remote communication directly to families or users other than families.

Anyone based in a non-EU country who sells equipment via distance communication directly to consumers or users in Poland also falls within the definition of a manufacturer.

Do I need to appoint an authorized representative if I sell EEE in Poland via an online platform?

If your company:

she is foreign,
sells equipment directly to consumers via remote communication (including marketplaces such as eBay, Aliexpress, Amazon, Temu, etc.),

then you are obliged to appoint an authorized representative in Poland.

I'm not required to appoint an authorized representative in Poland. Can I still enter into a contract with someone who will assume my responsibilities?

Some foreign companies have the right to appoint an authorized representative in Poland, although they are not obliged to do so.

If your company is based outside of Poland and:

produces equipment in EU countries under its own brand,
places on the market equipment produced on its behalf under its own brand,
resells equipment under its own brand,
imports or makes intra-Community acquisitions of equipment in an EU country other than Poland,

…and this equipment arrives in Poland, then you have the right to appoint an authorized representative in Poland.

Benefits of voluntary appointment of an authorized representative

Simplifying obligations for business partners:
Distributors, importers, and other sellers of the manufacturer’s equipment will not have to fulfill numerous legal obligations themselves. They will simply need to report the quantities of equipment released to the authorized representative, who will take care of:

reporting,
reporting,
collection, recovery, and recycling of WEEE. 2. Improving the manufacturer’s image:
The appointment of an authorized representative can be perceived as a commitment by the manufacturer to transparency and environmental responsibility, strengthening the trust of consumers and business partners.

Does Interzero also offer EPR Authorized Representative services in other countries?

Yes. We currently provide authorized representation services in all 27 EU member states, as well as the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland. We act on behalf of both EU and non-EU companies.

Thanks to our comprehensive EPR services, entrepreneurs placing packaging and products in multiple European markets can quickly, conveniently, and centrally appoint an Authorized Representative in different European countries.