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.

REACH Compliance Education: New Course Released

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation is complex.

Learning to navigate this Regulation can be a daunting task for suppliers who are unfamiliar with its requirements and new hires dealing with REACH for the first time. But now, this learning process has been simplified and made easy thanks to the work of Assent’s regulatory and education experts.

Throw out the bulky manuals and log into Assent’s Supplier Success Center to access REACH Compliance, our free online course. The course breaks down into two modules. The first, REACH Regulatory Overview, provides a top-level overview at the Regulation, introducing its concepts, terminology and goals.

The second module, REACH In Action, provides more actionable insights into what companies are obligated to do under the Regulation.

The REACH Compliance course takes roughly an hour to complete, with tests at the end of each module to reinforce learning.

Click here to access the course.

After completing REACH Compliance, the learner will be able to:

Identify key concepts and goals of the REACH Regulation (thresholds, articles, etc)
Understand regulatory requirements
Determine responsibilities based upon roles within the supply chain (producer, manufacturer, etc)
Provide or collect relevant compliance data
… and more.

This course is an excellent educational opportunity for companies, their suppliers and new compliance specialists. It is quick, comprehensive and easy to understand. Click here to access REACH Compliance.

Contact us for more information.

For additional learning resources, visit Assent’s Supplier Support Center.

Marcus Schneider

Senior Regulatory Expert
Assent

Marcus is a seasoned materials compliance professional with extensive technical experience in data reporting and analysis programs. He is committed to helping companies understand data to not only meet Read More

Marcus Schneider | Senior Regulatory Expert
Assent

Marcus is a seasoned materials compliance professional with extensive technical experience in data reporting and analysis programs. He is committed to helping companies understand data to not only meet their legal requirements, but also leverage it as a strategic asset to improve business. Before jo...