CARES Launches CBAM Verification Service as EU Carbon Rules Take Effect
Industry certification body CARES has announced the launch of a new verification service to help steel producers comply with the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The move comes as the EU’s CBAM entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026, requiring exporters to provide independently verified data on the carbon emissions embedded in goods shipped to the bloc. Financial obligations, including certificate surrender, are set to begin in 2027 for imports made during 2026.
The new service is tailored specifically for steel and related materials, including pig iron, ferro-alloys, hot briquetted iron (HBI), direct reduced iron (DRI), as well as semi-finished and finished steel products.
CBAM is designed to level the playing field between EU producers and international exporters by applying a carbon cost to imported goods, supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and progress towards net zero.
CARES said it has already begun the accreditation process with a European national accreditation body and aims to leverage its longstanding expertise in certification, sustainability programmes and environmental reporting.
With more than four decades of experience in the steel sector and over 100 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) issued across 21 countries, the organisation said it is well positioned to support companies navigating the new regulatory framework.
The service will assist producers at various stages of readiness—from those beginning to assess CBAM requirements to those seeking accredited third-party verification or alignment with existing EPD reporting systems.
The development also comes ahead of the United Kingdom’s planned introduction of its own CBAM regime in January 2027, signalling a broader shift towards carbon-based trade measures.
CARES said it expects strong demand for verification services as steelmakers and exporters adapt to stricter emissions reporting requirements and increasing scrutiny over the carbon intensity of global supply chains.
