Polish Parliament Approves Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Warsaw, Poland – The Polish Sejm has passed legislation implementing the European Union’s Carbon border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a landmark policy designed to level the playing field for domestic industries facing competition from countries wiht less stringent climate regulations. the new law, approved [date not specified in source, but implied to be recent], will initially require importers of carbon-intensive goods to submit quarterly reports detailing their imports and associated emissions.
CBAM aims to prevent “carbon leakage”-the relocation of production to nations with lower environmental standards-and safeguard the competitiveness of key Polish sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals. From 2026, importers will be required to declare the amount of imported goods and the emissions generated during their production, later paying a levy proportional to the cost of CBAM certificates. This mechanism is intended to encourage cleaner production processes globally and support investment in low-emission technologies within the EU.
The legislation is a crucial step in implementing a system to protect European industry, with ongoing work at the EU level focused on refining and strengthening the mechanism. By placing a carbon price on imported goods, CBAM ensures that domestic producers are not disadvantaged by cheaper imports produced with fewer environmental controls.
The transition period, extending until the end of 2025, allows importers to prepare for the full implementation of the CBAM reporting requirements. The Act signals Poland’s commitment to the EU’s climate goals and its dedication to fostering a lasting industrial future.