The Dutch Parliament has adopted a motion calling on the government to urgently engage with the steel and aluminium sectors regarding unexpectedly high costs arising from the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
According to statements published by Koninklijke Staalfederatie and FME, delays in the CBAM system and a shortage of recognised emissions verifiers are forcing many companies to rely on EU default emission values. These standard values are often significantly higher than the actual emissions of imported materials, resulting in higher-than-expected costs for companies processing steel and aluminium in their supply chains.
Industry representatives warn that this situation risks creating unnecessary price increases and undermining the level playing field that CBAM is intended to ensure.
The motion adopted by the Dutch Parliament urges the government to consult with industry in the short term and to explore possible temporary national measures within four months, while also working toward structural solutions at EU level.
Industry leaders stressed the urgency of the issue, noting that many manufacturing companies must determine product pricing for the following year during the summer months and therefore require clarity on CBAM-related costs as soon as possible.
FME and Koninklijke Staalfederatie indicated their willingness to work with the Ministry and their members to identify both short-term solutions and longer-term improvements at EU level, including better access to verified emissions data for CBAM reporting.
