Polish BDO Register – what’s new in 2025?

Expanding your business into Poland offers numerous opportunities, but it also comes with specific regulatory requirements. One such obligation is registering with the BDO, Poland’s Database on Products, Packaging, and Waste Management. In this article you’ll find out if you need to register your company there and how can you do it. Read on to find out what’s new in store for companies registered in BDO starting from 2025.

Who needs to be present in the Polish BDO Register?

Foreign companies intending to operate in Poland must determine whether their activities require registration in the BDO. The obligation primarily applies to entities involved in:

Keep in mind that even if your company is not registered in Poland but you plan to do anything listed above, you must register it in BDO before you offer your services on a Polish market. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, including fines ranging from approx. 1000€ to 230000€.

How can you sign in to the Polish BDO Register?

The registration process for foreign companies varies depending on two factors:

1. Foreign company with a branch in Poland

If your company has a branch within Polish territory, you must submit an application through the BDO system via an authorized representative. The application should be directed to the Marshal of the Voivodeship corresponding to the branch’s location.

2. Foreign company without a branch in Poland

For companies without a Polish branch:

• Yiu must submit a written application directly to the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship. The application must be printed and signed by the company or its representative. We highly advise choosing the second option as it’s more cost-effectve and stress-free.
• After registration, remember to access the BDO system via WKIE for activities such as data updates, waste record-keeping, and reporting. Authentication through WKIE requires a PESEL number and a trusted profile (Profil Zaufany). Alternatively, foreign companies can operate through an authorized representative or proxy with a PESEL number.

Requirements and their importance

• PESEL Number – A unique identification number essential for accessing the BDO system. It facilitates identity verification and secure transactions within Polish administrative systems.
• Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) – An electronic signature method required for logging into the BDO system. It ensures secure communication with Polish public administration services.
• Authorized representative or proxy – If the company lacks a PESEL number, appointing a representative with one is crucial for system access and compliance with Polish regulations. If you choose us as your representative, we’ll make sure your registration and reporting obligation will be done without any problems or delays.

Adhering to these requirements ensures that foreign companies can efficiently manage their environmental responsibilities in Poland, maintaining compliance with national regulations.

Why you need a PESEL number to be included in the Polish BDO Register?

The PESEL number is a unique identifier assigned to individuals in Poland. For foreign companies, obtaining a PESEL number is vital for several reasons:

• Logging into the BDO system through WKIE requires a PESEL number. It serves as a key component of the trusted profile (Profil Zaufany), enabling secure electronic interactions with Polish administrative systems.
• Possessing a PESEL number ensures that foreign companies can fulfill their obligations under Polish law, including waste management reporting and data updates within the BDO system.
• If a foreign company operates through a representative or proxy, that individual must have a PESEL number to access the BDO system on the company’s behalf.

But if you’d rather manage the BDO Register yourself, we can also help you with the acquisition of PESEL number. But if you’ll be taking your first steps on the Polish market, it’s highly advisable to outsource the registration process to us – an experienced advisor. We’ll take care of everything for you comprehensively so you won’t have to worry about the legal intricacies of running a waste management business in Poland.

Changes in BDO Register in 2025

Below you’ll find the information on the important changes in BDO Register, taking effect in 2025:

Higher registration and annual fees:
Keep in mind that businesses must prepare for new fees for initial registration and subsequent annual payments. These will amount to PLN 200 for micro-enterprises and PLN 800 for other entities (previously said payments consisted of 100PLN and 300PLN respectively).

Segregation of construction waste:
The start of the year also brought changes regarding the recordkeeping of construction waste. If you plan on dealing in construction waste, you must now segregate this waste into six fractions: wood, metals, glass, plastics, gypsum, and mineral waste.

Mandatory recordkeeping for all hazardous waste:
Last but not least – new year brought in new Regulation of the Minister of Climate and Environment. The new law limit exemptions from recordkeeping to selected non-hazardous waste, tightening requirements for hazardous waste management. This means that producers of hazardous waste will now be required to maintain records for all such waste.

Feeling overwhelmed after reading the above article? Don’t worry – we’re here to help you navigate BDO Register so don’t hesitate to contact us.