Businesses in the country may not receive adequate consultations regarding the implementation of the mechanism
The European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is creating difficulties for industry and small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in Germany. This opinion was expressed by industry observer Andreas Schneider from Stahlmarkt Consult.
In August 2023, the European Commission published the CBAM Implementing Regulation on the rules to follow during the transition period. According to Schneider, the 102-page document is full of legal and technical terms that most companies have never heard of. The expert highlights that the new obligations are a burden, especially for small companies with limited legal staff.
The reviewer also pointed out deficiencies in the process that are specific to Germany. The CBAM report must be presented through a special registry, which companies can only access through the responsible national authority. Although most EU member states appointed such a body at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the announcement for Germany was made two days before Christmas and only reached companies in January. This meant that companies had less than a month to register and familiarize themselves with the new system.
Furthermore, Andreas Schneider notes that, contrary to expectations, the contract was not signed with a body within the Ministry of Economy or Customs, but rather with the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt), which is subordinate to the Federal Environment Agency. .
Entering the necessary data is not without errors or problems. And the “national CBAM support service” – DEHSt – is unable to provide the answers that companies need, notes the specialist.
As the GMK Center previously reported, the CBAM regulatory framework and safeguard measures on steel imports are hampering the daily operations of Italian and European steel companies. This position was expressed by the Italian company Assofermet. Problems with the completion of CBAM reports, the expected economic impact of the mechanism from 2026 and the European safeguard measures in place since 2018 are a concern for many members of the association.
