Apply now! Expert Group "Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)"

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Expert Group “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)”. Applications are accepted until August 10, 2026.

Purpose

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) prices carbon on imports of emission-intensive goods (cement, iron & steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen) to prevent carbon leakage. In force since 2026, it continues to evolve, and other countries are preparing similar schemes. EU importers must collect verified emissions data from non-EU suppliers — covering installation details, direct and indirect CO₂ emissions, electricity sources, conformance attestations, and carbon prices already paid. Today, this process remains largely manual, fragmented, and inconsistent.

Within the CX-Next consortia, a CBAM sub-project has already developed a CBAM KIT and a CBAM data model, enabling standardized, decentralized data exchange between importers and suppliers via the Catena-X network. The substantive development work has been completed; the topic is now being transferred to the Catena-X Association to continue the work and release a formal Catena-X standard. The Expert Group ensures that CBAM solutions remain standardized, interoperable, and future-proof — by transferring the existing KIT and data model into the Association’s governance, evolving them in line with regulatory updates, and aligning with comparable international schemes (e.g., UK CBAM).

Key Goals

• Standard Release: Release a Catena-X standard for CBAM data exchange based on the existing CBAM KIT and data model
• Data Model Evolution: Maintain and evolve the CBAM request and response data models in line with regulatory updates
• Automated Data Collection: Enable automated, standardized collection of CBAM-relevant emissions data between EU importers and non-EU suppliers via the Catena-X network
• End-to-End Coverage: Support both ongoing data collection during the import year (supplier identification, forecasting, certificate purchase) and period-closing emissions data collection (verified actuals for annual CBAM declarations)
• Interoperability & Alignment: Ensure interoperability of CBAM-certified solutions and alignment with other relevant initiatives (e.g., Manufacturing-X, UK CBAM)
• Cross-Use-Case Coordination: Align with other relevant Catena-X use cases (e.g., PCF, DPP, Industry Core)

The work focuses on data exchange — not on how emissions are calculated, on CBAM declaration submission, or on CO₂ certificate trading.

Why participate?

• Shape Industry Standards: Co-shape industry standards by actively contributing
• First-Hand Feedback: Receive and share first-hand user feedback on standards and applications
• Team-Based Compliance: Make compliance a team effort to keep up with evolving regulations
• Ecosystem Competitiveness: Keep the Catena-X ecosystem competitive through collaboration among technical and subject matter experts
• Cross-Industry Impact: Contribute to cross-industry standards enhancing feasibility, regulatory alignment, and automation

Who should apply?

Professionals meeting the following requirements:

• CBAM Expertise: experience with CBAM
• IT & Data Modelling: knowledge of other Catena-X standards and an IT background is a plus, with a special demand for data modelling experts

A minimum availability of 10 hours per month is required, including participation in bi-/weekly meetings, along with a commitment to regular participation and contribution. We are especially seeking data modelling experts — please nominate suitable candidates from your organization.

Further information and detailed requirements can be found in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Expert Group profile.

Association Contact: Stan Faldin

How to apply

All registered members received an email from info@catena-x.net on July 16, 2026 regarding the call for applications, including a link to the application form.

If you are a member of the association and have not received this email, please contact the primary contact person in your organisation. If you can’t reach this person, in urgent cases, please write an email to info@catena-x.net.

Please submit your application by August 10, 2026.

We look forward to your application.