CBAM Registry: What You Need to Know
- Annkaren Wambui
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
🔓 The CBAM Registry is central to the EU's definitive CBAM system. Find out who uses it, how it works and what changes from September 2026.
Summary: The CBAM Registry is the European Commission's electronic platform for managing key obligations under the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. It supports CBAM authorisations, declarations, emissions data, verification and communication between businesses, competent authorities and customs. From 1 September 2026, accredited CBAM verifiers can begin the process of obtaining access to the Registry, marking an important step towards the use of verified emissions data for CBAM reporting from 2027. |
What Is the CBAM Registry?
The CBAM Registry is the European Commission's electronic platform for managing key obligations under the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
The Registry is designed to support the different participants involved in the CBAM system and provides functionalities relating to:
CBAM authorisations;
CBAM reporting and declarations;
the submission of emissions data;
the registration of relevant economic operators and other participants; and
access to the different CBAM modules and functionalities.
In practical terms, the Registry is a central part of the digital infrastructure supporting CBAM. It enables information to be exchanged between the European Commission, national competent authorities, customs authorities, authorised CBAM declarants, operators and verifiers.
The definitive CBAM regime has applied since 1 January 2026, replacing the transitional phase that ran from 2023 to 2025.
How Does the CBAM Registry Work?
The CBAM Registry brings together information and processes that support the functioning of the definitive CBAM regime.
Its structure includes different components designed for different users, including:
the CBAM Declarants Portal;
the National Competent Authorities Portal;
the European Commission Portal; and
the CBAM Operators Portal.
Access depends on the role of the organisation or individual within the CBAM system.
For example, authorised CBAM declarants use the Registry to manage relevant CBAM processes, while operators outside the EU can use the Operators Portal to provide information relating to their installations, goods and emissions.
The Registry also supports communication and information exchange between operators, verifiers and authorised CBAM declarants. Importantly, the CBAM Registry is also connected with other EU systems, including systems used for identity and access management and the verification of EORI information.
Who Needs to Use the CBAM Registry?
The answer depends on a company's role in the CBAM supply chain.
EU Importers and Indirect Customs Representatives
Under the definitive CBAM regime, EU importers, or in certain cases their indirect customs representatives, may need to apply for the status of an authorised CBAM declarant.
Importers of more than the applicable 50-tonne single mass-based threshold for CBAM goods are required to apply for authorised CBAM declarant status, subject to the rules and conditions of the CBAM Regulation.
Applications and access to the relevant Registry functionalities are managed through the CBAM authorisation and declarant systems. An authorised CBAM declarant is responsible for fulfilling the relevant CBAM obligations, including the submission of the annual CBAM declaration.
Operators and Producers Outside the EU
Operators of installations producing CBAM goods outside the EU can also access the relevant CBAM Registry functionality. The Operators Portal allows operators to register information about their installations and products and provide emissions data. It also facilitates the exchange of information with authorised CBAM declarants and verifiers.
This is particularly relevant for overseas manufacturers supplying CBAM goods to EU importers.
Accredited CBAM Verifiers
CBAM verifiers also have an important role in the Registry. A verifier must first receive the relevant CBAM accreditation. Following accreditation, the verifier can apply for registration and access to the CBAM Registry through the relevant national competent authority.
Under the current rules, accredited verifiers must submit their request for registration within two months of receiving accreditation, but not before 1 September 2026.
Why Is 1 September 2026 Important?
1 September 2026 is an important date for the CBAM verification system.
The European Commission has published a procedure explaining how accredited CBAM verifiers can obtain access to the CBAM Registry from that date.
The process begins with CBAM accreditation from the relevant National Accreditation Body. Once accredited, a verifier can apply for access through the relevant National Competent Authority, which checks the accreditation before granting access to the Registry.
The Commission has also stated that the first CBAM verifiers are expected to receive accreditation around September 2026.
This development matters because accredited verifiers will play an important role in verifying actual emissions data from installations producing CBAM goods outside the EU.
From January 2027, verification reports can be issued in the CBAM Registry, allowing importers to use actual verified emissions when completing their CBAM declarations.
What Does the Registry Mean for CBAM Importers?
For EU importers, the CBAM Registry is not simply another reporting portal.
It forms part of the infrastructure through which businesses manage key CBAM obligations under the definitive regime.
Importers should understand:
whether they need to apply for authorised CBAM declarant status;
which CBAM Registry functionalities are relevant to their business;
how emissions information will be obtained from overseas suppliers;
when actual emissions data may be verified;
how verified information will be made available for CBAM reporting; and
how CBAM processes interact with customs procedures.
For companies importing CBAM goods from multiple suppliers or countries, this will require coordination between customs, procurement, sustainability and supply-chain teams.
Which Goods Are Covered by CBAM?
The definitive CBAM regime currently covers selected goods in the following sectors:
cement;
iron and steel;
aluminium;
fertilisers;
electricity; and
hydrogen.
Businesses importing these products should assess whether their imports fall within the scope of CBAM and whether they need to apply for authorised CBAM declarant status.
The CBAM Registry is part of the wider compliance infrastructure supporting these obligations.
How Does the CBAM Registry Connect Importers and Overseas Suppliers?
One of the practical challenges of CBAM is that the EU importer may depend on information held by a producer or installation located outside the EU. The CBAM Registry helps support the exchange and management of relevant information between different participants.
For example, an overseas operator can provide information relating to its installation, products and emissions, while accredited verifiers can participate in the verification process. The system can also facilitate information exchange with the authorised CBAM declarant responsible for the EU-side CBAM obligations.
This means businesses should not treat CBAM as a customs issue that can be managed solely by the import department. The quality and availability of supplier and production data will increasingly become part of CBAM compliance planning.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
With the definitive CBAM regime already in operation and verifier access procedures beginning from 1 September 2026, businesses should review their readiness.
1. Confirm Whether Your Goods Are Covered
Identify whether your imports fall within one of the CBAM sectors and check the applicable tariff classification and scope.
2. Review Your Import Volumes
Assess whether your imports exceed the relevant threshold and whether your business needs to apply for authorised CBAM declarant status.
3. Review CBAM Registry Access
Confirm which Registry access and functionalities are relevant to your organisation and who will be responsible for managing them.
4. Engage Overseas Suppliers
Identify the producers and installations supplying your CBAM goods and assess whether the necessary emissions information is available.
5. Understand Verification
Businesses using actual emissions data should understand how the CBAM verification process will operate and the role of accredited verifiers.
6. Prepare for 2027 Reporting
The first annual CBAM declaration for imports made during 2026 is due in 2027, making the availability and quality of emissions data increasingly important.
The Key Message for Businesses
The CBAM Registry is becoming an increasingly important part of how businesses, suppliers, verifiers and authorities interact under the definitive CBAM regime. For importers, the priority is not simply gaining access to a new system. Businesses need to understand what information will be required, where that information comes from and how different participants in the supply chain will use the Registry.
The opening of Registry access procedures for accredited verifiers from 1 September 2026 is an important milestone because it supports the next stage of CBAM implementation and the future use of verified emissions information.
For businesses importing CBAM goods, now is the time to ensure that customs, procurement and supply-chain processes are ready for the growing importance of emissions data and verification.
Sources
The European Commission provides official information on the CBAM Registry, access procedures and reporting requirements.
European Commission; CBAM Registry: Official CBAM Registry Guidance
European Commission; CBAM Registry and Reporting: CBAM Registry and Reporting Information
European Commission; Verification of CBAM Emissions: CBAM Verification Guidance
European Commission; CBAM Definitive Regime: CBAM Definitive Regime Information
🎥 EU CBAM 2026: New Guidance Explained
Understanding the CBAM Registry is only one part of preparing for the EU's definitive CBAM regime.. In this video, Customs Manager explains the European Commission's ten new CBAM guidance documents published in August 2026 and what they mean for businesses. It explores key CBAM concepts, embedded emissions calculations, sector-specific guidance and why EU importers need to work closely with overseas suppliers to obtain reliable emissions information and strengthen their wider CBAM compliance processes.
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Related Topics
#CBAM #CBAMRegistry #CarbonBorderAdjustmentMechanism #CustomsCompliance #ImportCompliance #TradeCompliance #CarbonReporting #EmissionsVerification #InternationalTrade #SupplyChainCompliance #CustomsManager
Author
Ann Karen | Head of Growth
Updated: September 2026
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, customs or tax advice. Businesses should seek professional advice based on their individual trading arrangements and compliance obligations.
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