To help Korean companies respond smoothly to the European Union’s (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which has been fully implemented in 2026, a total of 15 support measures will be provided. On February 11 (Wed) at 3:00 p.m., relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR); the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE); the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS); and the Korea Customs Service, will hold a working-level meeting on CBAM response at a conference room of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with related institutions, to comprehensively review and consolidate this year’s detailed support plans and discuss additional support measures going forward.

Support related to responding to the CBAM consists of three categories: 1) strengthening capabilities for carbon emissions calculation, reporting, and verification (6 measures); 2) reducing carbon emissions (5 measures); and 3) enhancing the capacity of corporate personnel in charge (4 measures).

First, to strengthen capabilities for calculating, reporting, and verifying carbon emissions, support will be provided in the form of consulting services, distribution of measuring equipment and software, and pre-verification. Companies that produce and export goods subject to the CBAM must provide product-level carbon emissions data to importers. If actual carbon emissions data is not provided, a surcharged “default carbon value” may be applied, potentially increasing carbon-related costs.

Second, investment in related facilities will be supported to help reduce carbon emissions generated during the product manufacturing process. Lowering carbon emissions in the production process can reduce carbon costs under the CBAM, thereby providing a competitive advantage over rivals when securing export contracts.

Third, briefing sessions and training programs will be provided to strengthen the capabilities of corporate personnel in charge. This year, joint briefings by relevant ministries and related institutions will be held four times, with the duration extended from three hours to five hours to provide more practical support for enhancing response capabilities. In addition, a total of two to three seminars will be held for industries related to downstream products, which will be subject to expanded application starting in 2028. The training programs will be offered 33 times in total and will include hands-on practice aimed at building internal capacity, such as carbon emissions calculation.

Relevant associations, organizations, and institutions will also join forces to support our companies. The Korea International Trade Association will inform companies, particularly those in regions with a high number of exporters of CBAM-covered goods, about the full implementation of the system and the available support measures. The Korea Federation of SMEs will raise awareness among cooperatives related to downstream products, which will be subject to expanded application starting in 2028, about the need for proactive preparation. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency will provide assistance through its domestic and overseas offices to help our companies promptly resolve difficulties encountered in exporting CBAM-covered goods.

Meanwhile, additional support needs of our companies that may arise in the course of responding to the CBAM will also be discussed. Although the CBAM has been fully implemented this year, substantive compliance, such as having carbon emissions calculation results verified by third-party institutions and paying carbon costs, will take place next year. In line with this schedule, relevant ministries plan to strengthen support for new demands from our companies, including verification of carbon emissions.

Lee Jae-gun, Director General for New Trade Strategy and Policy at the MOTIR, stated, “Close cooperation among relevant ministries and related institutions is essential to effectively support our companies in responding to the CBAM.” He added, “We will strengthen overall support to ease the difficulties our companies face in the actual implementation process and will continue discussions with the European Union on areas where institutional improvements are needed.”

Lee Gyeong-su, Acting Director General for Climate and Energy Policy Bureau at the MCEE, stated, “Beyond responding to the CBAM, we plan to strengthen support programs for the installation of emission-reduction facilities to enhance the carbon competitiveness of our companies.” He added, “In particular, by leveraging the experience accumulated through operating the Emissions Trading System, we will expand tailored support for CBAM-covered companies, especially in areas where they face difficulties, such as emissions calculation.”

Kim Dae-hee, Director General for SME Strategy and Planning at the MSS, stated, “SMEs need to begin preparing now in order to strengthen their ability to independently respond to highly specialized global carbon regulations such as the CBAM.” He added, “Through support programs, we will work to ease the burden on SMEs exporting to the European Union in responding to the CBAM.”

Han Min, Director General for International Affairs Bureau at the Korea Customs Service, stated, “We will continue to reflect on-the-ground feedback to strengthen support measures so that SMEs exporting to the European Union can respond stably to the rapidly changing trade environment.”

The government plans to continue expanding the support needed by our companies to ensure that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism does not disrupt their exports, while also working to strengthen the carbon competitiveness of domestic industries.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com