What are the phases of CBAM implementation?

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is being implemented in two phases: a transitional phase and a permanent phase.The CBAM transitional phase runs from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025 and requires EU importers to report the embedded greenhouse gas emissions of in-scope goods on a quarterly basis, without purchasing CBAM certificates.The CBAM permanent phase begins on January 1, 2026. From this point forward, importers must submit annual emissions declarations and purchase CBAM certificates to cover a growing share of embedded emissions, with full financial coverage required by 2034.

What is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is an EU regulation that places a carbon price on certain imported goods based on their embedded emissions.CBAM is designed to prevent carbon leakage by ensuring imported products face a comparable carbon cost to goods produced within the EU under the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The regulation currently applies to carbon-intensive goods such as iron and steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen, and requires importers to calculate and report emissions using defined EU methodologies.

What is a CBAM certificate?

A CBAM certificate is a tradable unit that represents one tonne of CO₂-equivalent emissions embedded in imported goods subject to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.During the CBAM permanent phase, EU importers must purchase and surrender CBAM certificates annually to account for the emissions associated with their imports. Certificate prices are linked to the average EU ETS carbon price, and the number of certificates required may be reduced if a carbon price was already paid in the country of origin. Accurate supplier emissions data helps minimize certificate costs.

Why are suppliers receiving more data requests from customers?

Due to increasing geopolitical uncertainty, shifting buyer expectations, and rapidly evolving regulations, suppliers are facing significantly more inquiries about their product and supply chain data. Some suppliers have seen up to a 500% year-over-year increase in requests. Managing this increase with manual processes or spreadsheets is no longer sustainable. AI-native technology and expert support are now essential for keeping up.

How does Assent support suppliers in managing complex data requirements?

Assent combines AI-native automation with real human guidance. The platform simplifies data submission, allows you to upload data once and share it with multiple customers, and provides clear workflows. Meanwhile, supplier success specialists offer hands-on support, clarify requirements, provide training, and deliver supplier-focused education, turning overwhelming demands into manageable steps.

What benefits do suppliers gain from using the Assent Sustainability Platform?

The platform acts as a central hub for responding to customer requests quickly and accurately. Assent specialists help suppliers get set up, navigate the system, configure catalogs and parts, and remove roadblocks. This leads to higher submission rates, fewer errors, and reduced workload, especially with tools like Request Manager, which allows suppliers to manage all data requests in one place, even from companies not using Assent.

How does Assent ensure ongoing success for suppliers?

Assent’s approach includes proactive issue resolution and continuous product improvement. Supplier success specialists help identify problems early, prevent repeated issues, and streamline workflows. They also gather real supplier feedback that guides updates to the platform, campaign strategy, and overall customer success approach, ensuring the system continually aligns with supplier needs.

ECHA Releases REACH Registration Data

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) has recently released details of the May 28, 2018 Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation deadline for registering existing substances manufactured or imported in quantities from 1 to 100 tonnes per year.

According to the ECHA press release:

By the registration deadline, 5,435 companies submitted 33,363 registration dossiers to ECHA.
In the 1-100 tonnes per year range, 10,708 substances were registered, 7,462 of which are first-time registrants.
Registrations were received from 28 EU Member States and three European Economic Area (EEA) countries, with the greatest amount coming from Germany (26 percent).

Total Registrations by company size:

16 percent of successfully completed REACH registrations were submitted by small or medium-sized companies.
84 percent were submitted by large companies.
28 percent of the registrations were by representatives of a non-EU company.
48 percent were made by importers (including manufacturers).
Approximately 1 percent of 2018 REACH dossiers have been rejected.

Most Frequently Registered Substances:

Ethanol (214)
Propane-1,2-diol (168)
Silicon dioxide (137)
Titanium dioxide (130)
Lavender, Lavandula hybrida, ext (120)
Propan-2-ol (106)
Aluminium (105)
Sodium hydroxide (103)
Styrene (101)
Ethane-1,2-diol (100)
Calcium dihydroxide (92)
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, ext. (90)
Methanol (90)
Ethylene (88)
Aluminium oxide (84)

Not included in the final figures are submissions by latecomers who missed the May 31 deadline. While the vast majority of companies were able to submit complete dossiers, ECHA expects to conclude pending cases by May 2019.

Companies are reminded that they can only continue to manufacture or import their substance after they have received the registration number.

Where compliance is concerned, data quality, integrity and security are paramount. It is essential that an organization can produce operational data of sufficient completeness, validity, accuracy and granularity in order to prove compliance with regulatory mandates.

Assent’s REACH Software1 helps companies meet their regulatory requirements by automatically gathering, validating and centralizing data from supply chains regarding substances of very high concern (SVHCs).

To learn more about how Assent can help you streamline your supply chain data collection to meet REACH requirements, contact us today.

Ann Schober

Sustainability Expert

Leveraging her extensive experience in project management and sustainability within both the private and non-profit sectors, Ann provides strategic guidance to companies navigating complex regulatory Read More

Ann Schober | Sustainability Expert

Leveraging her extensive experience in project management and sustainability within both the private and non-profit sectors, Ann provides strategic guidance to companies navigating complex regulatory landscapes with a specialized focus on conflict minerals, and environmental, social, and governance ...