CARES launches EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Verification Service

To All applicant and approved firms

A Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a mechanism implemented by governments to account for the carbon cost of producing imported goods, with the ultimate aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting global progress towards net zero.

As you will be aware, the EU CBAM entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026, with certificate surrender obligations applicable from 2027 for emissions embedded in goods imported during 2026. For producers that export into EU markets the requirement is to provide independently verified embedded emissions data.

We are therefore pleased to announce that CARES is launching a dedicated EU CBAM verification service, designed specifically around the needs of steelmaking material (such as pig iron, certain ferro-alloys, and hot briquetted iron (HBI) / direct reduced iron (DRI)), semi-finished steel and finished steel products. CARES has already started the accreditation process with an EU National Accreditation Body. This is a natural extension of what CARES already does. For over four decades, CARES has been the trusted, independent, profit-for-purpose certification authority for the steel sector. Over the last sixteen years we have developed significant expertise as a sustainability programme certifier and as a recognised EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) Programme Operator. Our experience in greenhouse gas emission data collection, third-party verification, and supply chain traceability places us in a strong position to support producers through the CBAM verification process — and to do so with the deep sectoral knowledge and practical understanding of steelmaking operations. We have already issued more than 100 EPDs to steelmakers in 21 countries.

We would be delighted to work with you on your EU CBAM verification needs. Whether you are at the early stages of understanding your CBAM data requirements, already collecting embedded emissions data and looking for an accredited verifier, or seeking to align your existing EPD reporting with CBAM methodology, CARES is here to help.

The UK CBAM is confirmed to come into operation on 1 January 2027 and we will provide further information when it is published.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are very much looking forward to working with you through this important regulatory transition and supporting progress towards net zero.