Iberian steel distributor representatives have expressed optimism regarding the implementation of CBAM and the forthcoming introduction of the EU’s new trade defence measure. They, however, remain cautious in the face of the uncertainties posed by the complexity of the legal framework, Kallanish heard during the EUROMETAL Iberia Steel Net Forum in Santander.
“We need to work on strategies to simplify the accreditation procedures for verifiers within the CBAM mechanism,” said Juan Ibañez Siles from law firm Bln Palao Abogados. “We see that international accreditation will be carried out in close cooperation with national bodies and producers. This will significantly speed up the process.”
According to participants, it is difficult to maintain two separate verification processes – one for manufacturers and another for importers – so the aim is to simplify the system.
“Both parties have a vested interest in having a verification process in place. The best solution would be for each manufacturer to carry out on-site verification. We also consider it necessary for the producer to provide the importer with bank guarantees to ensure compliance with the regulations,” the layer observes. “CBAM is here to stay. It cannot be suspended. This is only possible in the fertiliser sector, due to a lack of competitiveness.”
Lars Hillmann of the Cattwyk law firm said the EU’s safeguard replacement measure aims to protect the industry in the long term and restore its competitiveness. The legislative framework is very broad and may raise concerns in the short term, although it is a very good solution as it has no expiry date, unlike the current safeguards, which must end on 1 July.
Steel distributors are anticipating a problem with orders that have already been placed but are due to arrive after this date.
“There can be no legal implications when the goods are in transit, for example, for delivery in the second quarter and, therefore, under the new trade rules, the law is clear, and protection measures cannot be applied retrospectively,” clarified Hillman.
Another problem stems from varying customs treatment between EU countries, he continued. “In Spain, Portugal and Italy, importers can submit a customs declaration and then, depending on the outcome, withdraw part of it and, more importantly, the volume of goods cleared. This does not happen in other countries that have found themselves in different circumstances,” he said.
“I see no way of harmonising customs treatment. It is an issue that needs to be addressed because all EU importers must have the same market conditions. But I am not very sure that we could find a good common proposal to solve differences,” he added.
Alfonso Hidalgo de Calcerrada, head of the economic department at Spanish steel industry association Unesid and chairman of the economic committee at worldsteel, noted CBAM continues to create uncertainty within the sector and that its scope should be extended.
“This uncertainty is reflected in the latest transactions in Q4 2025, where importers increased their purchases before this complex mechanism came into force. Neither the verification of emissions nor the allocation of quotas to different countries seems to be very clear to the industry, even more so ahead of implementing the new trade rules in June,” Hidalgo observed.
The process within the EU is highly complex, with the industry also demanding that steel derivatives be covered. “This is an issue that we expected to be resolved within a year, although we would like to do so sooner,” he concluded.
Author: Todor Kirkov
