Fasteners
CBAM 2026: the impact of carbon costs on fasteners procurement
As of January 1, 2026, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has entered its final operational phase, evolving from a reporting obligation into a tangible economic factor for companies importing products covered by European regulations.
Among these products are many steel fastening systems classified under customs code 7318, which now will require the purchase of CBAM certificates proportional to the CO₂ emissions embedded in their production. For the fastening industry, the issue is no longer limited to regulatory compliance but directly affects costs, sourcing strategies, and supply chain management.
This is a development that manufacturing companies such as Specialinsert are closely monitoring, helping customers navigate a more and more complex purchasing environment while evaluating the benefits of European manufacturing solutions.
Real data or default values? Understanding cost implications
One of the most critical aspects of the initial CBAM phase concerns the availability of certified emissions data from non-European manufacturers.
In theory, importers could rely on actual emissions data verified by accredited bodies to determine the carbon footprint of purchased products. In practice, however, the limited availability of qualified verifiers and the time required to complete verification procedures continue to create challenges for many companies.
As a result, a significant number of importers may need to rely on the default values published by the European Commission. These parameters, differentiated by country of origin and product category, can generate considerably higher carbon costs than those calculated using verified emissions data.
For certain fastening products, the difference may be substantial enough to affect overall procurement costs, influencing supplier competitiveness and purchasing decisions.
New challenges for procurement and supply chain teams
The introduction of CBAM requires purchasing managers to review the criteria used to evaluate suppliers and commercial offers. Purchasing and supply chain teams are focusing their efforts on the following three priorities:
- Obtaining and maintaining the authorized CBAM declarant status required by the regulation.
- Working closely with non-EU suppliers to ensure the availability of compliant emissions data.
- Integrating carbon-related costs into procurement models and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculations.
The country of origin of products plays a larger role in purchasing decisions, as the default values associated with different manufacturing regions can result in very different economic impacts.
Why European manufacturing matters
The implementation of CBAM reinforces a reality that many manufacturers have long recognized: production location represents a competitive advantage not only from an operational perspective but also from a regulatory and administrative standpoint.
For European manufacturers of fastening systems, emissions are already incorporated within the EU ETS framework and are therefore not subject to additional border adjustment mechanisms. This contributes to greater cost predictability, a lower administrative burden, and reduced exposure to uncertainties related to the verification of emissions data from international suppliers.
As carbon-related costs account for a growing share of procurement decisions, supply chain transparency and regulatory certainty emerge as key competitive factors.
Specialinsert and the value of a European supply chain
Against this backdrop, European manufacturers can offer a level of predictability that is now more valuable than ever. This is where Specialinsert's manufacturing model gains strategic relevance.
Specialinsert is an Italian company specializing in the design and manufacture of threaded inserts, fastening systems, and fastening solutions for composite materials, plastics, and metals. Thanks to its manufacturing operations in Italy and a controlled supply chain, the company ensures high quality standards, process traceability, and compliance with European regulatory requirements.
As CBAM introduces new economic and administrative variables into the market for non-EU imports, partnering with a European manufacturer provides several advantages, namely:
- reducing exposure to carbon cost risks;
- simplifying compliance requirements;
- improving predictability of total procurement costs.
An evolving regulatory landscape
The implementation of CBAM continues to pose operational challenges. Tight timelines, the limited availability of accredited verifiers, and ongoing discussions regarding emissions calculation methodologies remain key topics for companies, industry associations, and European institutions.
At the same time, the direction established by the European Union appears more clearly defined. Over the coming months, businesses will need to monitor developments in EU ETS benchmarks, verifier accreditation processes, and potential updates to the parameters used for emissions calculations.
For companies operating in the fastening systems sector, CBAM is emerging as a structural factor that must be integrated into procurement strategies and supply chain planning. As sustainability, traceability, and regulatory compliance become integral parts of purchasing decisions, the ability to rely on a transparent and locally controlled manufacturing supply chain may prove to be a significant competitive advantage.
In this environment, Specialinsert combines European manufacturing expertise with the quality, reliability, and technical support required by today's industrial markets.
