CBAM communication template: guide and checker

The Commission's template (version 2.1.1 of 13 December 2024, the version on its CBAM page in October 2026) takes you through the installation's data in order. Work through the sheets from left to right:

1. A_InstData: the reporting period, the installation, a verifier if there is one, the goods categories and production routes, and purchased precursors.
2. B_EmInst: the installation's source streams (fuels and materials), PFC emissions (aluminium) and any measured emission sources.
3. C_Emissions&Energy: the fuel balance and the installation's emissions balance, with notes on data quality.
4. D_Processes: for each production process, the quantity produced and the emissions, heat and electricity attributed to it.
5. E_PurchPrec: precursors you buy in, with their specific embedded emissions from your suppliers, or default values.
6. Summary_Processes and Summary_Products: check the results. Summary_Communication is what your buyer needs.

• turn on automatic calculation (Formulas > Calculation options) before you start;
• enter 0 where a value is zero: an empty cell tells the buyer nothing;
• yellow cells are mandatory, light yellow ones optional, green ones calculated;
• keep to the units shown next to each field;
• no error message does not prove the result is right: an empty green field means data is still missing.

The template version, the installation details, the reporting period, the emission totals, formula errors, and each product's CN code, emissions, unit and electricity emission factor source. It compares direct emissions with the EU default value for the installation's country. It does not check your source data or your calculation: only a verifier can.

Actual emissions count only once an accredited verifier has checked them; otherwise your buyer uses the EU default value plus a mark-up. Prepare with the verification checklist, and send your figures with a buyer summary.