European Aluminium has expressed cautious support for the European Commission’s plan to include downstream products such as automotive parts and cables in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). While the organization views this expansion as a positive step toward preventing carbon leakage, it warns of persistent technical gaps.

Director General Paul Voss described the draft as a meaningful first step but noted that the framework requires further refinement to ensure practical effectiveness. This association specifically advocates for the inclusion of post-consumer scrap to protect the competitiveness of EU recyclers.

In addition, they argue that the mechanism must account for the unique trade patterns of aluminum, which differ significantly from the steel sector, before the enforcement date in 2026.