The European Commission published the draft CBAM implementing act on 13 May 2026, opening a four-week public consultation closing 10 June 2026, defining requirements to qualify for deductions on carbon prices paid outside the EU.
The deductions mechanism ensures that carbon prices paid in international jurisdictions can be netted against EU CBAM liabilities, supporting WTO compatibility. CBAM certificate surrender obligations begin in 2027 for 2026 imports.
The Q1 2026 CBAM certificate price was set at €75.36 per tonne, indexed to the EU ETS average.
Why it matters for green steel: The consultation finalizes one of the last open methodology questions before CBAM compliance becomes binding, sharpening the cost gap between high-emission imports and EU low-carbon production.