17 February 2026 – The CBAM default values published by the European Commission on 31 December 2025, which are essential for the indicative calculation of CO2 costs, remain riddled with errors even seven weeks after the launch of CBAM. Base metals are showing stable sideways movement at the start of the week.
Base Metals: Stable Sideways Movement at the Start of the Week
As early as Monday, base metals began the week with stable sideways price movements. Nickel, aluminium and copper closed virtually unchanged compared to Friday.
Early indications on Tuesday also suggest that trading is likely to remain calm and stable.
CBAM Default Values: Still Full of Errors After Seven Weeks
The CBAM default values published by the European Commission on 31 December 2025, essential for the indicative calculation of CO2 costs, continue to contain significant errors seven weeks after CBAM entered into force.
Latest Publication Still Contains Known Errors
The recently published Excel file by the responsible department within the Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD), based on the 2,400-page default values regulation, has not resolved the issue. Existing errors were simply carried over-without any corresponding notice or correction.
Commission Evades Requests for Correction
Since early January 2026, not only the Gerber Group but also other affected companies have repeatedly informed the Commission of the identified errors and urged prompt correction.
The response from Brussels has been silence. The only statement heard so far: corrections will come “in due course.”
CBAM: A Successful Launch Looks Different
This situation further undermines the Commission’s earlier “success announcement” regarding the launch of CBAM.
The implementation has not only been problematic with regard to the default values. Since March 2025, approximately 15,000 EU companies have applied for authorisation as CBAM declarants. However, by mid-January 2026, only 27% of these applications had been approved.
More than 10,000 companies are therefore still waiting for reliable confirmation as to whether they are permitted to import goods subject to CBAM.
A successful launch of CBAM looks different.
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