🔹 What is BDO?

 BDO (Database of Products and Packaging and Waste Management) is a nationwide register used for the registration of companies introducing to the market:

• products in packaging,
• electrical and electronic equipment,
• batteries and accumulators,
• vehicles, tires, oils,
• as well as generating or managing waste.

📌 The BDO register is maintained by voivodeship marshals and operates through the portal: https://bdo.mos.gov.pl
 

🔸 When do sole proprietors and companies have the obligation to register for BDO?

✅ You must register if:

1. You introduce products in packaging, e.g.:
   • you sell products with labels, film, cardboard (e.g. cosmetics, handicrafts, clothes),
   • you send goods by courier (e.g. e-commerce) – even in a bubble envelope.
2. You produce or import packaged goods, even for personal use or on a one-time basis.
3. You bring electronic/electrical equipment / batteries to the market, e.g.:
   • selling power banks, lamps, cables, chargers,
   • engaging in e-commerce (Allegro, Amazon).
4. You generate waste other than municipal waste, e.g.:
   • you run a beauty salon, hairdresser, workshop, accounting office with a shredder,
   • you have used toner, batteries, fluorescent lamps, chemicals, reagents, etc.
5. You provide waste management services, e.g.:
   • collection, transport, processing, storage of waste.

🔸 When do you NOT have to register for BDO?

 You do not register if:
✅ you do not introduce packaging or equipment to the market (you buy only for yourself),
✅ the waste from your activity is only municipal (e.g. garbage like at home),
✅ you do not engage in activities covered by waste legislation,
✅ you are only a service recipient – e.g. you buy packaging and throw everything away as an end customer.

📌 Note: the fact of using the services of a waste disposal company does NOT exempt from the obligation of registration if you generate waste other than municipal.
 

🔸 Examples: who must, and who does not?

Online store (shipping in a box) - ✅ Yes | Packaging + e-commerce
Beautician / hairdresser - ✅ Yes | Chemical waste, packaging of cosmetics
Graphic designer, programmer, copywriter - ❌ No | No introduction of packaging and waste
Candle manufacturer, handicraft on Etsy - ✅ Yes | Own or manufacturer packaging
Accounting office with a shredder - ✅ Often | Generating paper waste (not always)
Mechanic / workshop - ✅ Yes | Oils, filters, chemicals
Dropshipping (trade from China / EU) - ✅ Often | Packaging, e-commerce
Bakery selling in paper - ✅ Yes | Unit packaging

🔸 How to register for BDO? 

🔧 Step by step:

1. Go to https://rejestr-bdo.mos.gov.pl/
2. Submit a registration application for BDO – through a trusted profile or qualified signature
3. Select the appropriate business sectors (e.g. 4, 5, 6, 9 or 11)
4. Attach the required documents (e.g. KRS, CEIDG, NIP)
5. Wait for the decision of the marshal (usually a few working days)

📌 Upon obtaining the entry, you receive a BDO registration number, which you must include on invoices, receipts, and sales documents.
 

🔸 What are the consequences of not registering for BDO?

• Failure to register for BDO when required - Administrative penalty: from 5,000 to 1,000,000 PLN
• Missing BDO number on the invoice - Up to 1,000 PLN fine
• Missing annual reports (by March 15) - Fine + possible cancellation of registration

📚 Legal basis 

• Act of December 14, 2012 on Waste (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1542)
• Act on Packaging and Packaging Waste
• Act on Batteries and Accumulators
• Act on Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment

✏️ Summary (is there a need to register for BDO?)

Sells products in packaging or e-commerce - ✅ YES
Provides services with special waste (cosmetics, mechanics) - ✅ YES
Generates only municipal waste (e.g. home office) - ❌ NO
Produces, imports, or sells electronic equipment - ✅ YES
Runs a service business without products/waste - 🔶 Depending