CBAM 2027: European Commission publishes draft rules for certificates and common central platform

The European Commission has published a draft Delegated Regulation specifying how CBAM certificates will be sold, repurchased and managed once the definitive phase of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) becomes fully operational. The proposal provides long-awaited practical guidance on the financial aspects of CBAM and the functioning of the common central platform through which authorised CBAM declarants will purchase certificates from 1 February 2027.
 

Greater clarity on the CBAM financial framework

Under the CBAM framework, importers of certain carbon-intensive goods will be required to purchase and surrender CBAM certificates corresponding to the embedded emissions of their imports. The price of CBAM certificates will continue to be linked to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), with the European Commission calculating a weekly (as from 2027 – quarterly during 2026) certificate price based on EU ETS auction prices.

To facilitate the purchase and repurchase of CBAM certificates, the European Commission and Member States will establish a common central platform. This platform will be responsible for the financial transactions related to CBAM certificates, while the CBAM Registry will continue to serve as the central system for managing declarations, certificate holdings and compliance obligations.
 

Key features of the proposal

The draft Delegated Regulation sets out the following key operational arrangements:

  • from 1 February 2027, authorised CBAM declarants will purchase CBAM certificates through a common central platform via a purchase request;

  • certificate prices will remain linked to the EU ETS carbon price;

  • a fixed service fee of 0.05 euro per CBAM certificate sold will be charged to finance the costs of the platform;

  • excess CBAM certificates may be repurchased under specific conditions;

  • declarants will principally be limited to one repurchase request per year;

  • all purchases and repurchases will be processed exclusively in euro.
     

Opportunity to provide feedback

The proposal is currently open for stakeholder feedback. Businesses, industry associations and other interested parties may submit comments to the European Commission until 6 August 2026. This consultation period provides a valuable opportunity for affected operators to highlight practical concerns and contribute to the development of the final rules governing the financial operation of CBAM.
 

What should businesses do now?

Although the regulation remains in draft form, companies importing CBAM-covered goods should already begin considering the practical implications. The proposed rules will affect purchasing processes, cash-flow planning, carbon cost forecasting and overall CBAM compliance governance. Early preparation will help businesses avoid operational challenges once the definitive system enters into force.
 
The BDO Customs team continues to closely monitor developments relating to CBAM and can assist businesses in assessing the impact of forthcoming requirements, preparing compliance processes and responding to regulatory consultations.