January 1, 2026 marked a turning point in the green agenda of the European Union (EU). On that day, several regulations come into force aiming to redefine how production, importation, and regulation are conducted on the continent.
Among them are the carbon tariff (CBAM), new rules on chemicals, adjustments in public procurement, and a product safety regulation, confirming Brussels’ strong commitment to the climate transition.
The Carbon Tariff (CBAM)
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enters its final phase after years of preparation. From 2026, importing certain goods with a high carbon footprint will have a direct economic cost associated with the CO₂ emissions generated during their production.
Affected Sectors
The system will primarily impact strategic and highly emitting industries:
- Steel and iron
- Cement
- Aluminum
- Fertilizers
- Hydrogen
- Electricity
Companies introducing these products into the community market will need to acquire specific certificates reflecting the volume of embedded emissions. The price will be linked to the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), which already regulates a large part of the industry within the EU.
From Transition to Application
Between 2023 and 2025, companies were only required to declare the emissions associated with their imports, without paying for them. This period served to collect data and adjust procedures. From 2026, informing will no longer be enough: payment will be required.
Brussels’ Objectives
- Prevent carbon leakage, meaning companies relocating their production to countries with more lenient environmental standards.
- Protect European producers, subjected to stricter rules, against unfair competition from third countries.
Criticism and Adjustments
The initial design of the CBAM raised concerns in part of the business community. To reduce tensions, the EU agreed in June 2025 to simplify the mechanism, exempting 90% of companies and concentrating the burden on large importers.
Even so, sectors like aluminum have warned that the impact could be very negative, even calling for a temporary halt of the system until specific parameters are reviewed.
Other Key Regulations from 2026
Common Data Platform on Chemicals
A centralized European archive is created to improve transparency and coordination among authorities, companies, and citizens.
This tool aims to strengthen risk management associated with chemical products, protect public health and the environment, and offer greater legal certainty to the industry.
Public Procurement and Concessions
The economic thresholds that determine when contracts must undergo European procedures will be updated. These limits, periodically reviewed, respond to economic developments and the EU’s international commitments.
Regulation on Toy Safety
The new regulation will come into force on January 1, 2026, although its mandatory application is postponed until August 2030. This grace period aims to give the sector time to adapt to stricter requirements, especially concerning hazardous chemicals.
The entry into force of these regulations marks the beginning of a new phase of the European green agenda. The CBAM and complementary rules on chemicals, procurement, and product safety reflect Brussels’ determination to move towards a more sustainable economic model, although not without tensions with industrial sectors fearing for their competitiveness.
