EU agrees with Council on simplifying CBAM regulations

The statement noted that with the amendment to the rules, companies importing less than 50 tons per year of products covered by the border carbon tax will be exempted from CBAM requirements. This will ease the administrative burden on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and occasional importers. While it was stated that the new threshold will exempt approximately 90% of importers, it was emphasized that the mechanism aiming to prevent carbon leakage will be maintained in line with climate targets.

Within the scope of the regulation agreed upon by the EU institutions, the authorization, emission calculation and verification rules in the CBAM process will also be simplified. In addition, provisions on the financial liability of authorized CBAM declarants were strengthened, while measures to prevent abuse were also added to the legal text.

Speaking after the decision, European Parliament rapporteur Antonio Decaro stated that CBAM aims to prevent carbon leakage while maintaining Europe's industrial competitiveness and stated, "We have exempted 90% of importers, but 99% of total CO2 emissions are still in the system. In this way, we have contributed to a fair transition without compromising environmental goals."

For the new regulation to enter into force, it must be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. After approval, the amendments will enter into force on the third day following their publication in the Official Journal of the EU.