Electronic Data Management (EDM)
The Electronic Data Management (EDM) system is a central e-government system specifically developed for the environmental sector. Its aim is to collect and provide environmentally relevant data. It supports cooperation between companies and authorities and facilitates compliance with legal obligations.
Electronic Data Management (EDM) ensures the legally compliant processing of notifications, reports, and documentation in environmental and waste management.
EDM minimises the administrative burden for companies and authorities. It makes a significant contribution to environmental protection in Austria and the European Union. With its database, EDM provides an important foundation for planning, impact assessments, and the evaluation of environmental effects.
By providing a reliable and user-friendly service platform, EDM makes a significant contribution to the continuous improvement and digitalisation of processes.
Key features of EDM
- All data in one place: EDM acts as a Single Point of Information. A wide range of waste and environmental data is centrally collected in EDM – for example, data on waste, emissions, or recycling. Authorities and companies can maintain an overview through this platform.
- Secure handling of data: EDM protects all data through modern security measures. Personal or confidential information is stored securely and is only accessible to authorised users.
- Integration with e-government systems: EDM ensures compliance with the requirements of “Digital Austria”. It is integrated into the Austrian e-government landscape and enables data exchange with other public systems and specialised applications. EDM registration can be carried out via the Business Service Portal (USP).
EDM at a glance
► Registration of your company
► GLN number for identification and disposal purposes
► Waste balance reporting and waste input-output notifications
► Industrial emissions and waste incineration
► Transfer of hazardous waste and waste shipments
► Notifications on waste batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment
► PRTR reporting and the IPPC Register Austria
► Greenhouse gas reporting
► Emissions and aviation
► Reporting on food redistribution and the added value quota
► Recording of radioactive substances and radon protection at workplaces
and much more
EDM comprises a wide range of applications. Each of these applications is based on the provisions of the Waste Management Act (AWG 2002) and further specialised regulations (available under Legal Framework).
A central component of the EDM system is the master data register (“central facility register” or “ZAReg”), which was developed according to international standards. It represents a key platform in Austria for managing registration and reporting obligations in the waste and environmental sectors. The EDM permit management system enables the structured representation of facility-related and person-related authorisations.
The EDM (edm.gv.at) provides registered companies with the basis for digitally processing numerous official reporting obligations in the environmental sector. A prerequisite for using EDM is the registration of the respective company. In some cases, for example under the Waste Management Act 2002 (AWG 2002), companies are also subject to mandatory registration in EDM.
For access to the EDM system and for user administration, registered users (companies, organisations) have one of the following options:
- Registration via USP: Access is provided through the USP portal (Business Service Portal – usp.gv.at). Companies registered in the Business Service Portal have a simple and fast way to complete both EDM registration and user administration directly within the USP. Those users are authorised to process the registration if they have been assigned procedural rights for EDM. The assignment is carried out in the USP by a person with the role of “USP Administrator”, for example the company management.
- Registration via EDM: If the requirements for USP registration are not met, a company can register directly via the EDM portal. This registration is completed online via www.edm.gv.at. In the future, access will be provided using EDM login credentials via the EDM portal.
The registration steps are explained on the EDM portal under Registration Information.
A separate registration process is provided for the registration of authorised representatives. In certain areas (currently: electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, packaging, and single-use plastic products), authorised representatives assume all waste-related legal obligations that apply to manufacturers or distance sellers in Austria.
Manufacturers from other EU countries who supply electrical equipment, batteries, packaging, or single-use plastic products to Austrian retailers can appoint an authorised representative. Foreign distance sellers (from EU and non-EU countries) who sell directly to final consumers in Austria are required to appoint an authorised representative.
Authorised representatives are subject to various obligations; for example, the authorised representative is generally required to report the quantities of the respective products placed on the market by their principal to the register in accordance with Section 22(1) of the Waste Management Act 2002 (AWG 2002).
The steps regarding the requirements and the procedure (registration, submission of the authorisation, example of an authorisation, et cetera) can be found under “Authorisations (WEEE, Batteries, Packaging)” on the EDM portal or under “Authorised representatives for packaging and single-use plastic products” on the Business Service Portal.
What is the GLN?
The GLN (Global Location Number) is a 13-digit number used to uniquely identify companies, locations, or facilities in EDM. In waste management, it is used to assign businesses, disposal sites, or treatment facilities.
Why are there different types of GLNs?
There are different types of GLN numbers depending on what is to be identified:
• The person GLN is used to uniquely identify an individual and is automatically assigned during registration.
• The location GLN represents a company location and is automatically assigned when the location is created in the master data.
• The facility GLN represents a facility and is automatically assigned when the facility is created in the master data or assigned to a registered location.
Questions and answers about GLN
What is the GLN used for?
The relevant GLN must be used, in particular, for electronic reports submitted via EDM. It identifies persons, locations, and facilities and ensures that digital data management can be carried out more easily, clearly, and efficiently.
Does registration cost anything?
No. Registration, including the allocation of a GLN, is free of charge for companies.
(Note: For certain collection and recovery systems approved under Section 29 of the Waste Management Act (AWG), there is an obligation to reimburse costs for operation and maintenance in accordance with the EDM Cost Reimbursement Regulation.)
What is GTIN?
The GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) is a standardised product number used to identify waste types in EDM. It enables the unique identification and assignment of waste types in accordance with the waste catalogue. GTIN is used for waste balances, declarations, and the processing of waste data.
Questions and answers about GTIN
What is GTIN used for?
In EDM, GTIN ensures the unique identification of waste types and related products. It enables precise assignment of waste information and ensures that all reports in the system can be recorded in a traceable and unambiguous manner.
How do I obtain a GTIN?
GTIN is not automatically assigned in EDM. It must be applied for and managed independently by the respective company via GS1 Austria.
Does every product need its own GTIN?
Yes. Each waste type or waste-related product requires its own GTIN. If products differ, for example, in their composition, treatment, or packaging, a separate number is assigned for each. This is the only way to ensure that they can be uniquely recorded and reported in EDM.
Learn more about EDM applications
Waste balances: Enables the digital submission of waste balances and input-output reports. It documents the type, quantity, origin, and destination of waste, as well as any zero reports for monitoring material flows.
End-of-life vehicles: Enables the electronic recording and tracking of end-of-life vehicles and the legally compliant submission of recovery documentation, such as acceptance confirmations and decommissioning data.
Batteries: Supports companies in reporting, collecting, and recovering batteries. It serves to fulfil verification and reporting obligations under the Battery Act.
Landfills: Enables landfill operators to submit annual waste input-output reports on the type, quantity, origin, and destination of waste at landfills.
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE): An electronic reporting system in which manufacturers, collectors, and recyclers report their data on electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market, collected, and treated. It documents the required recovery processes.
Permit application: Supports waste collectors and waste treatment operators in preparing applications for permits for the collection and treatment of waste.
Food redistribution: Records disposed food quantities and provides data for the analysis and reduction of food waste.
Reusable packaging quota: Enables electronic reporting to fulfil the reusable packaging obligation for food retailers and supports the evaluation of reusable packaging quotas in accordance with legal requirements – either for human use or as waste.
Packaging: Provides companies with the opportunity to report packaging quantities from placing them on the market through to recovery and supports compliance with the requirements of the Packaging Ordinance.
Accompanying documents: Hazardous waste and POP waste can be documented using this application when transferred with an accompanying document and submitted directly to the authorities.
VEBSV 2.0 (Fully electronic accompanying document procedure): Enables paperless processing of the accompanying document procedure. When hazardous waste is handed over or transported, the accompanying document is generated, transmitted, and archived digitally.
Shipment: Records the transboundary shipment of waste and supports the processing of notifications and approvals in accordance with the EU Regulation.
EMREG/OW: Serves to report material emissions from point sources into surface waters by industrial facilities and makes their environmental impacts traceable and controllable.
ETS (EU ETS): Records and reports greenhouse gas emissions from stationary installations and aviation activities in accordance with the Emissions Allowance Trading Act.
IPPC Austria: Compiles data from environmentally relevant industrial, animal husbandry, and waste treatment facilities covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), and enables the management and monitoring of integrated environmental requirements.
Medium-sized combustion plants: This application is used for the digital recording of combustion plants with a total rated thermal input of at least 1 Megawatt and less than 50 Megawatt in order to limit atmospheric emissions.
BMEN: The BMEN register records energy quantities produced from sustainable biomass and the associated greenhouse gas savings from the generation of electricity, heat, and cooling, based on reports submitted by plant operators.
PRTR: Industrial facilities report pollutant emissions, waste quantities, and the transfer of pollutants here in accordance with the EU PRTR Regulation.
Incineration: This application is used to create and submit emission declarations in accordance with the AVV and EEV regulations.
Central Source Register: Serves the nationwide recording of radioactive substances in accordance with the Radiation Protection Act.
Radon protection at workplaces: Centralises radon-related data such as measurement values and protective measures and supports compliance with legal requirements for protection against radon in indoor environments and at workplaces.