CBAM is the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. According to EU public information, the transitional period began in October 2023 and the definitive phase begins in 2026. Current coverage focuses on cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen.
CBAM is separate from Amazon CPF, Compact by Design, and other platform sustainability programs. Platform sustainability certification can support consumer-facing claims, but it does not replace CBAM regulatory reporting or importer carbon-data obligations.
1. Product Areas Currently Covered by CBAM
| Product area | Current official coverage | Seller data to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Cement | Covered by CBAM | Product code, production facility, emissions data |
| Iron and steel | Covered by CBAM | Material source, supplier data, importer communication records |
| Aluminium | Covered by CBAM | Material source, production data, supply-chain files |
| Fertilisers | Covered by CBAM | Production process and emissions data |
| Electricity and hydrogen | Covered by CBAM | Data organized according to official methods |
| General consumer goods | Assess by product code and material composition | Do not assume automatic inclusion or exclusion |
2. Manage CBAM Data Separately From Platform Certification
CBAM focuses on specific products imported into the EU and their embedded emissions data. CPF and other platform programs focus on consumer-facing sustainability attributes and certification information. Both may involve carbon data, but they differ in purpose, recipient, and review logic.
If a company already has product carbon footprint, EPD, or carbon-related certification files, those files may support internal preparation. Whether they can support CBAM reporting depends on EU methods and importer requirements.
3. Practical Preparation Steps
- Review product customs codes, material composition, and EU import path;
- Collect production facility, raw material, and emissions data from suppliers;
- Separate regulatory reporting data from product-page evidence and marketing materials;
- Maintain an evidence register with data source, update date, and covered products;
- For CBAM scope or reporting questions, confirm with the EU importer or a qualified adviser.
4. How Greenark Can Help
Greenark (Shenzhen) Certification Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. helps clients organize product carbon footprint, EPD, CarbonFree, CPF, and other carbon-related or sustainability certification files, and separate evidence needed for regulatory reporting, platform pages, and customer review. We do not present platform badges as CBAM proof or promise market-access results; applicability should be assessed by product code, material, and import path.
Greenark (Shenzhen) Certification Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
www.greenark-sz.com
