This article guides you through how to complete the CBAM communication template for installations producing iron or steel CBAM goods with the following CN codes:
DRI : CN 7203
Crude steel: CN 7206, 7207, 7218, 7224
Sinter: CN 2601 12 00
Pig Iron: CN7201, 7205* (if product is pig iron)
This article also provides guidance for installations producing one of these goods and then using them (in full or in part) to produce other CBAM goods.
Step 1: Download the communication template:
The communication template has a number of tabs. Guidance for completing each of the tabs is presented below. Go through in order, or skip to specific tabs if you have targeted questions.
Each of the tabs are set out below in the order we recommend you complete them in.
The worked example used in this video series (provided by the European Commission): 3 CBAM SEE V2.1_Example Steel 2 EAF alloys_final.xlsx
Tab A_InstData
Tab A_InstData
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the A_InstData tab.
Step 1: Enter the start and end dates for the reporting period:
Ideally should cover a 12-month period
Should correspond with the same period as the data you'll use to complete this template
Step 2: Enter information about your site:
Complete all dark yellow (mandatory) cells
Find your UNLOCODE
Google maps can tell you the latitude and longitute of your installation
Step 3: Enter verifier information
This is optional during the transitional period (until 2026)
Step 4: Enter your aggregated goods categories
Select the categories of the goods you make from the drop down list
Choose the production route for any crude steel or pig iron you produce
Step 5: Enter your production processes
Add one row for each of the products you produce
You can choose to group similar products together
multiple products within that fall within a single CN code
multiple products across CN codes, provided the products are similar
If you produce an intermediate product that is fully consumed in producing your final product (i.e. you produce DRI that you then use to produce steel slab), you don't need to list the intermediate product as a separate row. If however, some of that product is not used to produce your final product (i.e. some of it is sold directly, or used to produce non-CBAM goods), you need to list it as a separate row.
Add any 'precursor' (products that are used as inputs to make this product) CBAM goods that are made on-site as "included goods categories"
Step 6: Enter any CBAM goods you purchase as precursors
Choose the production route for any crude steel or pig iron you purchase (you'll get this information from your supplier's CBAM communication)
Add one row for each supplier (you can differentiate between suppliers by giving a specific supplier/product name in the "Name" column)
Tab B_EmInst
Tab B_EmInst
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the B_EmInst tab.
Step 1: Enter the data for the fuels you combust
Exclude fuels used in vehicles
Use your own NCV and EF values, or use the default values provided in Annex D of the CBAM installation guidance.
Check to make sure your units are consistent
Don't enter any electricity data. If you can't clearly distinguish between electricity and non-electricity data (for example you have a CHP plant, or you fuel a process that makes waste gas that is then used to produce on-site electricity), you can still enter that full data here (we'll allocate the correct portion to electricity later on).
Step 2: Enter the data for your process emissions
For process emissions arising from materials that release carbon as they are consumed in the production process (i.e. graphite electrodes, limestone...), choose 'mass balance', enter the annual quantity of material used, and the carbon content of that material on a per-unit basis
Alternative approach: If you have an emission factor for the material, you can choose 'process emissions', enter the annual quantity of material used, and then enter the emission factor for the material, and select the correct units for the data.
Step 3: Enter the data for your carbon-containing inputs and outputs
For each of your remaining carbon containing inputs, choose 'mass balance', enter the annual quantity of product used, and the carbon content of that product on a per-unit basis
Example inputs include steel scrap, purchased steel, iron ore, sinter, ferro alloys, and other carbon-containing iron inputs
For each of your carbon containing outputs, choose 'mass balance', enter the annual quantity of product produced as a negative number, and the carbon content of that output on a per-unit basis
Example outputs include steel products, slag, and other carbon-containing by-products and waste products.
Tab D_Processes
Tab D_Processes
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the D_Processes tab.
Step 1: Enter the quantity of product you produced over the 12-month period
Step 2: Divide the quantity into the amount sold ('produced for the market'), amount consumed in other (CBAM) processes, and amount consumed in producing non-CBAM goods
Make sure you repeat this step for each of the goods you produce (scroll down to find input areas for your other goods)
Step 3: Enter the total directly attributable emissions
To calculate the directly attributable emissions:
look at the calculated emissions in column AU ("CO2e fossil (t)") of tab B_EmInst
assign portions of each row of calculated emissions between the different goods you produce
exclude any emissions resulting from the on-site production of electricity
Make sure you repeat this step for each of the goods you produce (scroll down to find input areas for your other goods)
Step 4: Enter information about your electricity consumption
Enter the annual purchased and/or generated electricity in MWh, for each process
Divide your total annual electricity consumption between each of your goods, based on the consumption of electricity by each good.
Enter the emission factor for your electricity, and its source. Your options are:
The IEA default emission factors are available here: CBAM - EU Grid Emission Factors.xlsx
Note: If you have a CHP unit, produce your own electricity or import or export waste gases, we will be returning to this sheet when we complete tab F_Tools.
Tab E_PurchPrec
Tab E_PurchPrec
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the E_PurchPrec tab.
Step 1: Enter the quantity of product you purchased over the 12-month period
Make sure you repeat this step for each of the goods you purchase (scroll down to find input areas for your other purchased goods)
Step 2: Divide the quantity into the amount used as an input into each of your CBAM goods, as well as any amount used in producing non-CBAM goods
Make sure you repeat this step for each of the goods you purchase, for each supplier (scroll down to find input areas for your other purchased goods)
Step 3: Enter the specific embedded emissions for each of your purchased precursors
Get this data from your suppliers
They should provide you with their own summary communication sheet
There are two cases where you do not need to use real data from your suppliers:
Where the emissions from your purchased precursors contribute less than 20% to your total emissions. You can estimate these emissions using default values to determine if this is the case (but for steel goods this is unlikely).
Where you are providing data for your customers to use in their July 2024 declarations (beyond this date primary data is mandatory)
In these cases, you can enter default values in these cells. In all other cases, you will need to use specific data obtained from your suppliers. Reach out to your suppliers now, to make sure they can provide you with data when you need it.
Tab F_Tools
Tab F_Tools
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the F_Tools tab.
This tab is an optional tab. You should only enter information in this tab if:
You have a CHP/cogeneration unit, and you want to assign the emissions arising from this CHP unit between the heat and electricity outputs, or
You already pay a carbon price on your goods in your country
If you have a CHP/cogeneration unit:
Step 1: Enter the total fuel input, and heat and electricity output, from your cogeneration unit
Step 2: Enter the emissions resulting from your cogeneration unit
If you have a continuous monitoring system, enter the measured emissions directly, or:
Multiply the quantity of fuel by its emission factor (see Annex D of the CBAM installation guidance if you don't have a measured emission factor for your fuel) to calculate the emissions
If you have emissions from flue gas cleaning, enter those (if not already captured by your continuous monitoring system).
Step 3: Enter the reference efficiencies (efficiencies without cogeneration) for your heat and electricity
If you don't know the reference efficiencies, Annex D of the CBAM installation guidance provides values you can use, or keep the defaults provided.
Step 4: Use the emissions data calculated here to update the emissions data you provided in tab D for electricity, heat, and/or direct emissions, as appropriate.
If you pay a carbon price:
Step 1: Enter the currency where the carbon price is paid (the country of your installation, or the country of the installation of your purchased precursor, if it's the precursor where the price is paid)
Step 2: Enter the share of emissions covered by the carbon price, the carbon price, and any rebate
Tab C_Emissions&Energy
Tab C_Emissions&Energy
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the C_Emissions&Energy tab.
Note: This tab exists primarily for you to check that the data you've entered elsewhere is correct.
Step 1: Enter the total fuel you used in your CBAM goods, your on-site electricity production and for your non-CBAM goods, and make sure it sums to the total you expect.
Step 2: Enter your electricity emissions calculated in tab D_processes (multiple the quantity of electricity by the emission factor, for each of your products)
Check: Have you correctly assigned your direct and indirect emissions in tab D_Processes, without double counting, and without forgetting any emission sources?
Note: this data is not used elsewhere; this is simply for you to check the accuracy and completeness of your data.
Step 3: Select the options that best describe the quality of your data, and the level of assurance that this data is correct.
Summary Tabs
Summary Tabs
Watch the video, or read step-by-step the instructions for completing the Summary_Processes, Summary_Products and Summary_Communication tabs.
Summary_Processes
If you already pay a carbon price on your CBAM goods, enter the name of the legislation under which you pay that price.
Summary_Products
Step 1: Add each of your CBAM goods, their CN codes and brand names
Add at least one row for each of your "production process from which the products arise"
You can duplicate a "production process", if you'd like to report multiple products/brands to your customers using the same data.
Add the CN code for the good to the column "CN Codes"
Add a public facing name for each good
Step 2: Add product composition information to each of your goods
scroll to the right, until you find the area of dark and light yellow cells
Complete the relevant product composition information
Step 3: If you already pay a carbon price, enter this information
Scroll further to the right to get to this section
Add the type of pricing instrument, the share of emissions covered, and the currency
Copy the information on the Carbon price due and the Amount of Rebate (columns AR and AX) from columns L and N in tab F
Summary_Communication
There is no information to enter here. All you need to do is send this tab to your customers!
Step 1: Unprotect the sheet
Go to "Review" then click "Unprotect Sheet"
Step 2: Copy this tab into a new Excel workbook
Select all cells in this tab (ctrl +A, plus ctrl+A again until all cells are selected), copy the cells (ctrl+C) and paste them into a new workbook, then click on the "paste" icon that has appeared and choose "Paste Values"
You can now save this workbook and send it to your customers
You are done! Congratulations!