The request has been formally submitted to Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy at the European Commission, and Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade, Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency.
Uncertainty Over CBAM Puts Industry Under Pressure
According to ASSOFERMET, companies across the trading, distribution, and first-processing segments are facing significant uncertainty due to the absence of essential parameters required to calculate CBAM costs — namely benchmark values and default values. These reference values are not expected to be published until the first quarter of 2026.
The lack of clarity prevents operators — including steel and aluminium producers who regularly import semi-finished or raw materials from non-EU countries — from assessing the true cost of supplies scheduled for delivery in 2026. The related CBAM obligations will only become apparent in February 2027, creating deep instability in the market and forcing companies to operate “in the dark,” the association warns.
ASSOFERMET emphasized that the current situation has the potential to trigger significant economic consequences across the entire European steel, aluminium, and manufacturing supply chain.
“Temporary Measures Are Necessary,” Association Tells EU
To mitigate the risk of severe economic disruption and ensure a fair and manageable start to CBAM implementation, ASSOFERMET has proposed the adoption of temporary measures.
Specifically, the association is requesting an exemption from the obligation to purchase CBAM certificates for all steel and aluminium imports cleared through customs from 1 January 2026 until the fifth month after the official publication of benchmark and/or default values.
This proposal had previously been brought to the attention of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT).
A Controlled Transition Is Essential
ASSOFERMET reiterated its readiness to cooperate closely with both European and national institutions to ensure that the transition to new regulatory mechanisms is effective, gradual, and aligned with the competitiveness needs of the production system.
The association stressed that only through constructive and timely dialogue can the EU’s environmental objectives be balanced with the protection of industry, trade, and employment.
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