First CBAM Certificate Price to Be Published on 7 April 2026

The European Commission has officially confirmed that the first Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) certificate price will be published on 7 April 2026. This announcement marks a concrete step forward in CBAM's transition from its transitional reporting phase toward full financial enforcement, which takes effect in 2027.

Throughout 2026, CBAM certificate prices are determined on a quarterly basis. Each price reflects the average of EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) auction clearing prices recorded over the course of that quarter. The calculation is carried out during the first calendar week of the following quarter and published shortly after. From 2027 onward, the methodology will shift to a weekly calculation model, bringing CBAM pricing into closer alignment with real-time movements in the EU carbon market.

Alongside the pricing calendar, the European Commission is advancing the development of the Common Central Platform (CCP), the dedicated IT infrastructure through which CBAM certificates will be purchased and repurchased. The platform is currently in its procurement phase, with tender offers due by 20 March 2026, and is expected to be fully operational before the first certificate surrender deadline in February 2027.

What this means for businesses

Companies importing CBAM-covered goods into the European Union will be required to purchase CBAM certificates starting in February 2027, covering their import volumes from the 2026 calendar year. The goods currently in scope include steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. The publication of quarterly certificate prices provides businesses with an early and reliable basis for financial planning, allowing procurement, finance and compliance teams to model exposure, adjust sourcing strategies and ensure that the necessary internal processes are in place well before the surrender deadline.

For more information, visit the official European Commission announcement.