MEPs support proposals to simplify EU carbon leakage instrument

MEPs support proposals to simplify EU carbon leakage instrument   Press Releases   ENVI   1 hour ago     A new de minimis mass threshold of 50 tonnes would exempt 90% of importers from EU carbon border adjustment mechanism rules   Environmental goal kept as 99% of CO2 emissions from iron, steel, aluminium and cement imports would still be covered   Plenary to vote on changes on 22 May 2025   The proposed changes to the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) are part of simplification efforts to reduce the administrative burden for SMEs and occasional importers. Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate Change and Food Safety today endorsed the Commission’s proposal, which is a part of the “Omnibus I” simplification package presented on 26 February 2025. MEPs adopted only technical amendments for clarification purposes and support a new de minimis mass threshold of 50 tonnes, which would exempt the vast majority (90%) of importers − mainly small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals − who import only small quantities of CBAM goods. The CBAM’s environment goal is maintained, as 99% of total CO2 emissions from imports of iron, steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers would still be covered by the rules. For the imports covered, the changes also simplify authorisation of declarants (parties wishing to import goods subject to the CBAM), the calculation of emissions and the management of CBAM financial liability, while strengthening...