Court in Vienna overturns “Waste Contribution” rule at Nova Rock Festival
A recent ruling by the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) has deemed the practice of charging visitors a mandatory “waste contribution” at the Nova Rock Festival as illegal. The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) filed a lawsuit against Nova Music Entertainment GmbH on behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs, leading to this decision.
The controversial “waste contribution” was implemented during the Nova Rock Festival in 2024, where attendees were required to pay a 20 euro fee. They would receive ten euros back if they returned a “at least half-full garbage bag,” while the remaining ten euros were retained by the organizers. Both the OLG and the Eisenstadt Regional Court found these clauses to be unlawfully formulated, citing ambiguity in the purpose of the waste contribution and inadequate definitions of terms like “half-full garbage bag.”
Although the ruling is not yet legally binding, it has been viewed as a crucial step towards enhancing price transparency by the VKI and State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ). In response to the ruling, festival head Ewald Tatar stated that they are exploring their options and consulting with legal experts to determine the best course of action before August.
Overall, the decision to overturn the waste contribution requirement at the Nova Rock Festival sets a significant precedent for consumer rights and transparency in pricing policies at large-scale events. It highlights the importance of clarity and specificity in the terms and conditions imposed by organizers and serves as a reminder of the legal obligations that events must adhere to when implementing fees or charges on attendees. The outcome of this case reinforces the need for organizers to review and revise their policies to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations. Ultimately, this ruling emphasizes the importance of fairness and accountability in the relationship between event organizers and festival-goers.