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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
2026 No. 278
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading
Scheme (Amendment) Order 2026
Made - - - - 10th March 2026
Coming into force in accordance with article 2
At the Court at Buckingham Palace, the 10th day of March 2026
Present,
The King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council
This Order is made in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 44, 54 and 90(3) of, and
Schedule 2 and paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to, the Climate Change Act 2008(1).
In accordance with paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 to that Act, before the recommendation to His
Majesty in Council to make this Order was made—
(a) the advice of the Committee on Climate Change was obtained and taken into account; and
(b) such persons likely to be affected by the Order as the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers,
the Welsh Ministers and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
considered appropriate were consulted.
In accordance with paragraph 11 of that Schedule, a draft of the instrument containing this Order
was laid before Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and Senedd
Cymru and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the
Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru.
Accordingly, His Majesty, by and with the advice of His Privy Council makes the following Order.
(1) 2008 c. 27.Document Generated: 2026-04-27
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Part 1
Preliminary
Citation
1. This Order may be cited as the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment)
Order 2026.
Commencement
2. This Order comes into force on the day after the day on which it is made.
Extent
3. This Order extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Part 2
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 amended
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 amended
4. The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020(2) is amended in accordance
with this Part.
Article 23A amended (flexible reserve)
5.—(1) Article 23A is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph (3)(b) insert—
“(c) E is recalculated as soon as reasonably practicable after the UK ETS authority has
approved the recalculation under Article 16b(6) of the Free Allocation Regulation of the
final number of allowances to be allocated for a scheme year in the 2027-2030 allocation
period, and the flexible reserve is updated on the basis of this recalculated E.”.
Article 34A amended (allocation tables for the 2021-2025 and 2027-2030 allocation periods)
6.—(1) Article 34A is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)(b) after “of that Regulation” insert “subject to paragraph (1A)”.
(3) After paragraph (1) insert—
“(1A) Where Article 16(1a) of the Free Allocation Regulation applies the UK ETS
authority must—
(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after approval under Article 16b of the Free
Allocation Regulation of the final annual number of allowances to be allocated
in 2027, compile an allocation table for the 2027-2030 allocation period which
contains entries for the 2027 scheme year only; and
(b) as soon as reasonably practicable after approval under Article 16b of the Free
Allocation Regulation of the final annual number of allowances to be allocated
(2) S.I. 2020/1265, amended by S.I. 2020/1557, 2021/1455, 2022/454, 2022/1173, 2023/850, 2023/1267, 2023/1387, 2024/192,
2024/1366, 2025/100 and 2025/124.
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in the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years, update the allocation table for the
2027-2030 allocation period to include entries for the 2028, 2029 and 2030
scheme years.”.
(4) In paragraph (8)(b), at the beginning, for “for” substitute “subject to paragraph (1A), for”.
Article 34C amended (allocation tables: updates)
7.—(1) Article 34C is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph (1)(k) insert—
“(l) where Article 16(15) of the Free Allocation Regulation applies (including as applied
by Article 16(17)), Article 16b of that Regulation (incumbent installations).”.
Article 34D amended (allocation tables: publication, etc.)
8.—(1) Article 34D is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (3), at the beginning, for “The” substitute “Subject to paragraph (3A), the”.
(3) After paragraph (3) insert—
“(3A) Where article 34A(1A) applies, the UK ETS authority must publish—
(a) the allocation table referred to in article 34A(1A)(a) as soon as reasonably
practicable after it is compiled and in any event before 1st January 2027; and
(b) the updated allocation table referred to in article 34A(1A)(b) as soon as
reasonably practicable after it is compiled and in any event before 1st January
2028.”.
Article 34S amended (return of allowances: installations)
9.—(1) Article 34S is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1)(b) for “article 34C(1)(b) to (f) or (j)” substitute “article 34C(1)(a) to (f),
(j) or (l)”.
Schedule 6 amended (permits)
10.—(1) Schedule 6 is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph 6(1)(b) insert—
“(c) must apply to the regulator to vary the installation's permit in consequence of the
requirement in Article 9(2a) of the Free Allocation Regulation to modify the monitoring
methodology plan.”.
Schedule 8A amended (free allocation for former hospital or small emitters and ultra-small
emitters)
11.—(1) Schedule 8A is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 4(2)(a) after “eligible scheme year” insert “, subject to paragraph 4(9) and (10)”.
(3) After paragraph 4(8) insert—
“(9) Where the benchmarks for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years have not been adopted
under Article 16(13)(b)(ii) or 18(9)(b)(ii) of the Free Allocation Regulation on or before 30
September 2026—
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(a) the calculation referred to in paragraph 4(2)(a) of the final annual number of allowances
to be allocated for any of the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years must be undertaken by
the regulator on or after 1st October 2027; and
(b) where the UK ETS authority approved the final number of allowances to be allocated in
respect of the installation for the 2027 scheme year and an ALC adjustment applies to a
sub-installation of the installation for the 2027 scheme year, the regulator must—
(i)make an equivalent adjustment to the final number of allowances to be allocated in
respect of that sub-installation for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years; and
(ii)reflect this adjustment in the final number of allowances to be allocated in respect
of the installation which the sub-installation forms part of.
(10) W here—
(a) the regulator has calculated the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in
respect of the installation and each sub-installation for any scheme year in the 2027-2030
allocation period under paragraph 4(2)(a);
(b) the installation has at least one UK CBAM sub-installation within the meaning of Article
2(27) of the Free Allocation Regulation; and
(c) either—
(i)a different factor is provided for under Article 16(14) of the Free Allocation
Regulation; or
(ii)the product benchmark or PRODCOM code of the product produced in a sub-
installation that is not a UK CBAM sub-installation for the 2027-2030 allocation
period is subsequently added to the relevant table in Annex 9 to the Free Allocation
Regulation;
the regulator must recalculate the final number of allowances to be allocated in the relevant
period in respect of that installation in accordance with paragraph 4(3) or (4), and (5).
(11) Where paragraph 4(10) applies and an ALC adjustment applies to the UK CBAM sub-
installation for the scheme year immediately preceding the relevant period, the regulator must—
(a) make an equivalent adjustment to the final number of allowances to be allocated in the
relevant period for the UK CBAM sub-installation; and
(b) reflect this adjustment in the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in the
relevant period in respect of the installation which that UK CBAM sub-installation forms
part of.
(12) Subject to paragraph 4(13), in paragraph 4(10) and (11), “relevant period” means—
(a) in the case of paragraph (10)(c)(i)—
(i)the period beginning with the scheme year for which the factor has changed under
Article 16(14) of the Free Allocation Regulation and ending with the 2030 scheme
year; or
(ii)where the scheme year for which the factor has changed is 2030, the 2030 scheme
year;
(b) in the case of paragraph (10)(c)(ii)—
(i)the period beginning with the scheme year after the scheme year in which the product
benchmark or PRODCOM code was added to the relevant table in Annex 9 to the
Free Allocation Regulation and ending with the 2030 scheme year; or
(ii)where the scheme year after the scheme year in which the product benchmark or
PRODCOM code was added to the relevant table is 2030, the 2030 scheme year.
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(13) Where paragraph 4(9) applies and either of the following circumstances apply “relevant
period” means the 2027 scheme year—
(a) the scheme year for which the factor has changed under Article 16(14) of the Free
Allocation Regulation is 2027; or
(b) the scheme year after the scheme year in which the product benchmark or PRODCOM
code was added to the relevant table in Annex 9 to the Free Allocation Regulation is 2027.
(14) In paragraph 4(9)(b) and (11) an “ALC adjustment” means an adjustment to free allocation
under the Activity Level Changes Regulation approved by the UK ETS authority under Article 6a
of that Regulation.”.
Part 3
Free Allocation Regulation amended
Free Allocation Regulation amended
12. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/331 is amended in accordance with this Part.
Article 2 amended (definitions)
13.—(1) Article 2 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 1 after point (26) insert—
“(27) “UK CBAM sub-installation” means a sub-installation identified as a result of the
requirement in Article 10(4a) which has a process that serves the production of a UK
CBAM good.”.
(3) For paragraph 4 substitute—
“(4) References in this Regulation to benchmarks for an allocation period or scheme
year are to be construed in accordance with Articles 16(13) and 18(9); but if no benchmarks
for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years are adopted by way of an order under Part 3 of
the Climate Change Act 2008(3) before the regulator is required to calculate the preliminary
annual number of allowances to be allocated for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years, the
benchmarks for the 2027 scheme year are to be used for the calculation.”.
Article 4 amended (application for free allocation in 2027-2030 allocation period by
operators of incumbent installations)
14.—(1) Article 4 is amended as follows.
(2) For paragraph 1a(b) substitute—
“(b) the second stage is that in the period beginning with 1 April 2026 and ending with
30 June 2026, the operator must:
(i)notify the regulator in writing that the operator wishes the application to proceed;
(ii)notify the regulator in writing which of their sub-installations are UK CBAM
sub-installations and which of their sub-installations are not UK CBAM sub-
installations; and
(iii)where requested by the regulator, resubmit the documents referred to in paragraph
2.”.
(3) 2008 c. 27.
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(3) After paragraph 1b insert—
“(1c) As part of the second stage under paragraph 1a(b), where the operator has any
relevant product benchmark sub-installation, any relevant heat benchmark sub-installation,
any relevant fuel benchmark sub-installation or any relevant process emissions sub-
installation, the operator must during the second stage resubmit the documents referred to
in paragraph 2(a) and 2(c) reflecting the division required by Article 10(4a). Submission of
these documents satisfies the requirement in paragraph 1a(b)(ii).
(1d) As part of the second stage under paragraph 1a(b), the operator may notify the
regulator that the data submitted in their baseline data report for a sub-installation or
installation covering the 2020 scheme year, or both the 2020 and 2021 scheme years, is to
be excluded from the calculation under Article 15 of historical activity levels for that sub-
installation or installation.
(1e) The regulator must request corrections by the operator of any non-conformities or
any errors made by the operator during the second stage under paragraph 1a(b) which impact
on the determination of the historical activity levels or the calculation of free allocation.”.
(4) In paragraph 7 for “paragraph 1a(b)(ii)” substitute “paragraph 1a(b)(iii) or 1c”.
(5) After paragraph 7 insert—
“(7a) Where, as part of the second stage under paragraph 1a(b), the operator makes a
notification under paragraph 1d:
(a) Article 15 applies again in relation to the application, but any reference to baseline
period must be read as excluding the 2020 scheme year or the 2020 and 2021
scheme years;
(b) Article 15a(2) and (3) apply again in relation to the application, with the following
modifications:
(i)any reference to historical activity levels must be read as a reference to any
historical activity levels redetermined under Article 15 as so applied;
(ii)Article 15a(2)(b) applies as if for “30 September 2025” there were
substituted “30 September 2026”;
(c) for the purpose of paragraph 6(b), Article 15a(4) and (5) apply in relation to the
application taking account of the historical activity levels redetermined under
Article 15 as so applied.”.
(6) After paragraph 8 insert—
“(9) In this Article:
(a) an operator has a “relevant product benchmark sub-installation” where:
(i)the operator’s stage one baseline data report included a product benchmark
sub-installation; and
(ii)as a result of the requirement in Article 10(4a), the inputs, outputs and
emissions that were assigned to that product benchmark sub-installation
at stage one have subsequently been assigned to two or more product
benchmark sub-installations;
(b) an operator has a “relevant heat benchmark sub-installation” where:
(i)the operator’s stage one baseline data report included a heat benchmark sub-
installation; and
(ii)as a result of the requirement in Article 10(4a), the inputs, outputs and
emissions that were assigned to that heat benchmark sub-installation at stage
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one have subsequently been assigned to two or more heat benchmark sub-
installations;
(c) an operator has a “relevant fuel benchmark sub-installation” where:
(i)the operator’s stage one baseline data report included a fuel benchmark sub-
installation; and
(ii)as a result of the requirement in Article 10(4a), the inputs, outputs and
emissions that were assigned to that fuel benchmark sub-installation at stage
one have subsequently been assigned to two or more fuel benchmark sub-
installations;
(d) an operator has a “relevant process emissions sub-installation” where:
(i)the operator’s stage one baseline data report included a process emissions
sub-installation; and
(ii)as a result of the requirement in Article 10(4a), the inputs, outputs and
emissions that were assigned to that process emissions sub-installation
at stage one have subsequently been assigned to two or more process
emissions sub-installations.”.
Article 6 amended (general obligation to monitor)
15.—(1) Article 6 is amended as follows.
(2) Omit “to be submitted”.
Article 9 amended (changes to the monitoring methodology plan)
16.—(1) Article 9 is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph 2 insert—
“(2a) Where the operator has any relevant product benchmark sub-installation, relevant
heat benchmark sub-installation, relevant fuel benchmark sub-installation or any relevant
process emissions sub-installation within the meaning of Article 4(9), the operator must
modify the monitoring methodology plan to reflect the boundaries of the sub-installation
that apply as a result of the requirement in Article 10(4a).”.
(3) After paragraph 5 insert—
“(5a) Paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 do not apply to a modification made to a monitoring
methodology plan pursuant to paragraph 2a. Instead:
(a) the operator must notify the regulator of the modification of the monitoring
methodology plan on or before 30th September 2026;
(b) the modification of the monitoring methodology plan is subject to approval by
the regulator;
(c) once approved, the modification will take effect on 1st January 2027.”.
(4) In paragraph 6(d)—
(a) after “paragraph 3” insert “or 5a”;
(b) after “paragraph 4” insert “or the date of the approval referred to in paragraph 5a(b)”.
Article 10 amended (division into sub-installations)
17.—(1) Article 10 is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph 4 insert—
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“(4a) For product benchmark sub-installations, heat benchmark sub-installations, fuel
benchmark sub-installations and process emissions sub-installations, the operator must,
after following the relevant steps in paragraphs 3 and 4, clearly distinguish on the basis
of the product benchmarks and PRODCOM codes listed in Annex 9 whether or not the
relevant process serves the production of a UK CBAM good. The operator must provide
evidence to the satisfaction of the regulator that the relevant process serves or does not serve
the production of a UK CBAM good.
Where at least 95 % of the activity level of the product benchmark sub-installations, of the
heat benchmark sub-installations, of the fuel benchmark sub-installations or of the process
emissions sub-installations, serve the production of a UK CBAM good or where at least 95
% of the activity level of the product benchmark sub-installations, of the heat benchmark
sub-installations, of the fuel benchmark sub-installations or of the process emissions sub-
installations do not serve the production of a UK CBAM good, the operator is exempted
from providing data allowing for the distinction in terms of UK CBAM status.
Where at least 95 % of the activity level of the heat benchmark sub-installations are
attributable to one of these sub-installations, the operator may attribute the total activity
level of these sub-installations to the one with the highest activity level.
(4b) Paragraph 4a applies in respect of the data monitoring and reporting required by this
Regulation and the Activity Level Changes Regulation in circumstances where an operator
applies for or receives free allocation in the 2027-2030 allocation period.”.
Article 15a amended (assessment of applications for free allocation by operators of
incumbent installations)
18.—(1) Article 15a is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 1(b) for “paragraphs 6 and 7” substitute “paragraphs 6, 7 and 7a”.
Article 16 amended (preliminary allocation at installation level for incumbent installations)
19.—(1) Article 16 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 1(b) after “the regulator must” insert “, subject to paragraph 1a,”.
(3) After paragraph 1 insert—
“(1a) Where the benchmarks for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years have not been
adopted under paragraph 13(b)(ii) on or before 30 September 2026, the regulator must:
(a) calculate the preliminary annual number of allowances to be allocated in respect
of the installation for the 2027 scheme year; and
(b) no earlier than 1 October 2027, calculate the preliminary annual number of
allowances to be allocated in respect of the installation for the 2028, 2029 and
2030 scheme years.”.
(4) In points (a) to (d) of paragraph 2—
(a) after “for the relevant” insert “scheme year or” in each place that those words appear;
(b) omit “set out in Annex 8” in each place that those words appear.
(5) After paragraph 2 insert—
“(2a) The factors determined in paragraph 14 must be applied to the preliminary annual
number of emission allowances allocated free of charge determined for each sub-installation
pursuant to paragraph 2 for the year concerned where that sub-installation is a UK CBAM
sub-installation.
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(2b) Where the sub-installation is not a UK CBAM sub-installation, a factor of 1 must be
applied to the preliminary annual number of emission allowances allocated free of charge
determined for each sub-installation pursuant to paragraph 2 for the year concerned.”.
(6) In paragraph 3 for “pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article” substitute “following the
calculation at paragraph 2a or 2b”.
(7) In paragraph 4 after “the factor to be applied” insert “to the preliminary annual number
of emission allowances allocated free of charge determined for each sub-installation following the
calculation at paragraph 2a or 2b”.
(8) In the first sentence of paragraph 5—
(a) after “for the relevant period” insert “scheme year or”;
(b) omit “set out in Annex 8”.
(9) After paragraph 12 insert—
“(13) In paragraphs 2 and 5, references to a product benchmark, heat benchmark or fuel
benchmark are to:
(a) for 2026 incumbents within the meaning of article 5 of the Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Trading Scheme (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2025(4), in respect of the
calculation of the preliminary annual number of allowances for the 2026 scheme
year, the benchmarks set out in Annex 8;
(b) for incumbent installations applying for free allocation in the 2027-2030
allocation period:
(i)in respect of the calculation of the preliminary annual number of allowances
for the 2027 scheme year, the benchmarks set out in Annex 8; and
(ii)in respect of the calculation of the preliminary annual number of allowances
for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years, the benchmarks adopted by way
of an order under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008(5).
(14) The factor to be applied in the 2027-2030 allocation period is:
(a) for scheme year 2027, unless otherwise provided for on or before 31 December
2026 by way of an order under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008, 0.975;
(b) for scheme year 2028, unless otherwise provided for on or before 31 December
2027 by way of an order under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008, 0.95;
(c) for scheme year 2029, unless otherwise provided for on or before 31 December
2028 by way of an order under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008, 0.9;
(d) for scheme year 2030, unless otherwise provided for on or before 31 December
2029 by way of an order under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008, 0.775.
(15) Where the regulator has calculated the preliminary annual number of emissions
allowances to be allocated free of charge for each UK CBAM sub-installation and a different
factor is subsequently provided for under paragraph 14, the regulator must as soon as
reasonably practicable after a different factor for a scheme year is provided for:
(a) recalculate the preliminary annual number of emissions allowances allocated free
of charge for each UK CBAM sub-installation in respect of the relevant period
in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 9;
(b) send the recalculated preliminary annual number of allowances calculated in
respect of each installation and each sub-installation of each installation to the
UK ETS authority; and
(4) S.I. 2025/124.
(5) 2008 c. 27.
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(c) make any corrections to the calculation required by the UK ETS authority.
(16) In paragraph 15 the “relevant period” begins with the scheme year for which the
factor has changed under paragraph 14 and ends with the 2030 scheme year; but:
(a) where paragraph 1a applies and the scheme year for which the factor has changed
is 2027, the relevant period refers to the 2027 scheme year; or
(b) where the scheme year for which the factor has changed is 2030, the relevant
period refers to the 2030 scheme year.
(17) Where the product benchmark or the PRODCOM code of the product produced
in a sub-installation that is not a UK CBAM sub-installation for the 2027-2030 allocation
period is subsequently added to the relevant table in Annex 9, the regulator must carry out
a recalculation in respect of the sub-installation as if paragraph 15 applies, except that:
(a) the regulator must carry out the functions listed in paragraph 15 as soon as
reasonably practicable after the product benchmark or PRODCOM code is added
to the relevant table;
(b) the relevant period is to be read as beginning with the scheme year after the
scheme year in which the product benchmark or PRODCOM code was added to
the relevant table in Annex 9 and ending with the 2030 scheme year; but:
(i)where paragraph 1a applies and the scheme year after the scheme year in
which the product benchmark or PRODCOM code was added to the relevant
table is 2027, the relevant period refers to the 2027 scheme year; or
(ii)where the scheme year after the scheme year in which the product
benchmark or PRODCOM code was added to the relevant table is 2030, the
relevant period refers to the 2030 scheme year.
(18) For the purpose of the regulator calculating (or recalculating where paragraph 15
applies) the preliminary annual number of emissions allowances to be allocated free of
charge, the regulator must use the factor provided for under paragraph 14 that is in force
at the time the regulator carries out the calculation (or recalculation where paragraph 15
applies).”.
Article 16a amended (cross-sectoral correction factors)
20.—(1) Article 16a is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph 5 insert—
“(5a) In respect of the 2027-2030 allocation period, where the benchmarks for the 2028,
2029 and 2030 scheme years have not been adopted under Article 16(13)(b)(ii) on or before
30 September 2026:
(a) the calculation referred to in paragraphs 2 to 4 must occur on or after 1 November
2027;
(b) the UK ETS authority must, as soon as reasonably practicable after 1 November
2027, publish the matters referred to in paragraph 5; and
(c) as soon as reasonably practicable after 30 September 2026, the UK ETS authority
must issue a statement that the cross-sectoral correction factor calculation for the
2027-2030 allocation period will take place on or after 1 November 2027.”.
Article 16b amended (final allocation at installation level for incumbent installations)
21.—(1) Article 16b is amended as follows.
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(2) In paragraph 1(a)(ii) after “scheme year in the 2027-2030 allocation period” insert “subject
to paragraph 1a”.
(3) After paragraph 1 insert—
“(1a) Where Article 16(1a) applies the regulator must in the case of an application for
free allocation in the 2027-2030 allocation period under Article 4:
(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after the issue of the statement referred to in
Article 16a(5a)(c):
(i)calculate the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in respect of
each installation and each sub-installation of each installation for the 2027
scheme year; and
(ii)send the calculation to the UK ETS authority;
(b) as soon as reasonably practicable after the publication of the matters referred to
in Article 16a(5a)(b):
(i)calculate the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in respect of
each installation and each sub-installation of each installation for the 2028,
2029 and 2030 scheme years;
(ii)where an ALC adjustment applies to the sub-installation for the 2027
scheme year, make an equivalent adjustment to the final number of
allowances to be allocated in respect of that sub-installation for the 2028,
2029 and 2030 scheme years and reflect this adjustment in the final number
of allowances to be allocated in respect of the installation which the sub-
installation forms part of; and
(iii)send the calculation to the UK ETS authority.”.
(4) After paragraph 5 insert—
“(6) Where Article 16(15) applies (including as applied by Article 16(17)):
(a) the regulator must:
(i)recalculate the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in the
relevant period in respect of each UK CBAM sub-installation in accordance
with paragraph 2;
(ii)where an ALC adjustment applies to the UK CBAM sub-installation for the
scheme year immediately preceding the relevant period, make an equivalent
adjustment to the final number of allowances referenced in point (a)(i);
(iii)recalculate the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in the
relevant period in respect of each installation that has at least one UK
CBAM sub-installation, taking into account any adjustment required by
point (a)(ii); and
(iv)send the recalculation to the UK ETS authority;
(b) after the UK ETS authority receives the recalculation, paragraph 4 applies.
(7) In this Article:
(a) in paragraphs 1a(b) and 6 an “ALC adjustment” means an adjustment to free
allocation under the Activity Level Changes Regulation approved by the UK ETS
authority under Article 6a of that Regulation;
(b) in paragraph 6 “relevant period” has the same meaning as provided for in Article
16(16), unless Article 16(17) applies in which case it has the same meaning
provided for in Article 16(17).”.
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Article 18 amended (preliminary allocation to new entrants)
22.—(1) Article 18 is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 1(a) after “for the relevant” insert “scheme year or”.
(3) In the second sentence of paragraph 1—
(a) for “Article 16(3), (4), (5) and (7)” substitute “Article 16(2a), (2b), (3), (4), (5) and (7)”;
(b) after “and paragraph 2” insert “, but Article 16(15) to (17) does not apply to this
calculation”.
(4) After paragraph 2A insert—
“(2B) Where the benchmarks for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years have not been
adopted under paragraph 9(b)(ii) on or before 30 September 2026, the calculation referred
to in paragraph 1 and 2 of preliminary annual number of allowances to be allocated free
of charge for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years must be undertaken by the regulator
on or after 1 October 2027.
(2C) Where the regulator has calculated the preliminary annual number of allowances to
be allocated free of charge for a UK CBAM sub-installation for a scheme year and a different
factor is subsequently provided for under Article 16(14), the regulator must recalculate the
preliminary annual number of emissions allowances allocated free of charge in respect of
the relevant period for the UK CBAM sub-installation in accordance with paragraph 1 or 2.
(2D) In paragraph 2C “relevant period” begins with the scheme year for which the factor
has changed under Article 16(14) and ends with the 2030 scheme year; but:
(a) where paragraph 2B applies and the scheme year for which the factor has changed
is 2027, the relevant period refers to the 2027 scheme year; or
(b) where the scheme year for which the factor has changed is 2030, the relevant
period refers to the 2030 scheme year.
(2E) Where the product benchmark or the PRODCOM code of the product produced
in a sub-installation that is not a UK CBAM sub-installation for the 2027-2030 allocation
period is subsequently added to the relevant table in Annex 9, the regulator must carry out
a recalculation in respect of the sub-installation as if paragraph 2C applied, except that the
relevant period is to be read as beginning with the scheme year after the scheme year in
which the product benchmark or PRODCOM code was added to the relevant table in Annex
9 and ending with the 2030 scheme year; but:
(a) where paragraph 2B applies and the scheme year after the scheme year in which
the product benchmark or PRODCOM code was added to the relevant table is
2027, the relevant period refers to the 2027 scheme year; or
(b) where the scheme year after the scheme year in which the product benchmark
or PRODCOM code was added to the relevant table is 2030, the relevant period
refers to the 2030 scheme year.”.
(5) After paragraph 8 insert—
“(9) In paragraphs 1 and 2, reference to benchmarks is to:
(a) for new entrants applying for free allocation in the 2025 scheme year, 2026
scheme year or both, in respect of the calculation of preliminary annual number
of allowances for the 2025 and 2026 scheme years, the benchmarks set out in
Annex 8;
(b) for new entrants applying for free allocation in the 2027-2030 allocation period:
(i)in respect of the calculation of preliminary annual number of allowances for
the 2027 scheme year, the benchmarks set out in Annex 8; and
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(ii)in respect of the calculation of preliminary annual number of allowances for
the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years, the benchmarks adopted by way of
an order under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008(6).”.
Article 18a amended (assessment of applications and final allocation at installation level for
new entrants)
23.—(1) Article 18a is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 1 after “reasonably practicable” insert “after completing the calculation required
by Article 18 or the recalculation required by paragraph 4b”.
(3) In points (f)(ii) and (g) of paragraph 2 after “the relevant allocation period” insert “, unless
this calculation has not yet taken place by virtue of the requirement in paragraph 4a” in each place
that those words appear.
(4) After paragraph 4 insert—
“(4a) Where the benchmarks for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years have not been
adopted under Article 18(9)(b)(ii) on or before 30 September 2026:
(a) the calculation of the final number of allowances to be allocated in respect of each
installation and each sub-installation for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years
must be undertaken by the regulator on or after 1 October 2027;
(b) where an ALC adjustment applies to the sub-installation for the 2027 scheme
year, the regulator must:
(i)make an equivalent adjustment to the final number of allowances to be
allocated in respect of that sub-installation for the 2028, 2029 and 2030
scheme years; and
(ii)reflect this adjustment in the final number of allowances to be allocated in
respect of the installation which the sub-installation forms part of.
(4b) Where Article 18(2C) applies (including as applied by Article 18(2E)), the regulator
must:
(a) recalculate the final number of allowances to be allocated in the relevant period
in respect of the UK CBAM sub-installation in accordance with paragraph 3;
(b) where an ALC adjustment applies to the UK CBAM sub-installation for the
scheme year immediately preceding the relevant period, make an equivalent
adjustment to the final number of allowances referenced in point (a); and
(c) recalculate the final annual number of allowances to be allocated in the relevant
period in respect of each installation that has at least one UK CBAM sub-
installation, taking into account any adjustment required by point (b).
(4c) In this Article:
(a) in paragraphs 4a and 4b “ALC adjustment” has the same meaning as provided
for in Article 16b(7)(a);
(b) in paragraph 4b “relevant period” has the same meaning as provided for in Article
18(2D), unless Article 18(2E) applies in which case it has the same meaning
provided for in Article 18(2E).”.
Annex VI amended (minimum content of monitoring methodology plan)
24.—(1) Annex VI is amended as follows.
(6) 2008 c. 27.
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(2) In the fourth bullet point under paragraph (d) of point 1 after “based on NACE rev. 2 or
PRODCOM” insert “, and for the 2027-2030 allocation period identifying which sub-installations
are UK CBAM sub-installations and which are not UK CBAM sub-installations”.
Annex VIII amended (benchmarks)
25.—(1) Annex VIII is amended as follows.
(2) In Table A, B and C—
(a) in the heading for each Table for “and 2026 allocation period” substitute “, 2026 allocation
period and 2027 scheme year”;
(b) in the benchmark value column of each Table for “and 2026 allocation period” substitute
“, 2026 allocation period and 2027 scheme year”.
Annex 9 inserted (identifying UK CBAM status under Article 10(4a))
26. After Annex VIII insert—
“ANNEX 9
Identifying UK CBAM status under Article 10(4a)
Five tables are provided below and are split by sector covering the following sectors: cement,
fertilisers, iron and steel, aluminium and hydrogen. Under Article 10(4a), a process serves the
production of a UK CBAM good where the PRODCOM code of the product produced is listed
in column B of the relevant table, or where the product produced is covered by the definition of
a product benchmark listed in column C of the relevant table, or both, excluding any exceptions
provided for in the table. In this Annex, references to “PRODCOM code” are to the PRODCOM
codes listed in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 860/2010(7); and references to
“product benchmark” are to the product benchmarks listed in Annex I to this Regulation.
Cement sector
1. The table relevant to the cement sector is below.
UK CBAM aggregated goods PRODCOM code (column B) Product benchmark (column
category (column A) C)
Calcined clay 08.12.21.60 None
Cement clinker 23.51.11.00 Grey cement clinker
White cement clinker
Cement 23.51.12.10 None
Cement 23.51.12.90 None
Aluminous cement 23.51.12.90 None
Fertilisers sector
2. The table relevant to the fertilisers sector is below.
(7) Commission Regulation (EU) No 860/2010 of 10 September 2010 establishing for 2010 the ‘Prodcom list’ of industrial
products provided for by Council Regulation (EEC) No 3924/91 (OJ No. L 262, 5.10.2010, pp. 1–258).
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UK CBAM aggregated goods PRODCOM code (column B) Product benchmark (column
category (column A) C)
Nitric acid 20.15.10.50 Nitric acid
Ammonia 20.15.10.75 Ammonia
Ammonia 20.15.10.77 None
Mixed fertilisers 20.15.76.00 None
Mixed fertilisers 20.15.3-.- - None
Mixed fertilisers 20.15.7-.- - None
Except 20.15.76.00
Iron and steel sector
3. The table relevant to the iron and steel sector is below.
UK CBAM aggregated goods PRODCOM code (column B) Product benchmark (column
category (column A) C)
Sintered ore 07.10.10.00 Sintered ore
Pig iron 24.10.11.00 Hot metal
Pig iron 24.10.14.10 Hot metal
Ferro-alloys 24.10.12.15 None
Ferro-alloys 24.10.12.60 None
Ferro-alloys 24.10.12.90 None
DRI69 24.10.13.00 Hot metal
Crude steel 24.10.21.Z0 Hot metal
24.10.21.10 EAF carbon steel
Crude steel 24.10.22.Z0 EAF high alloy steel
24.10.22.10
Crude steel 24.10.23.Z0 EAF high alloy steel
24.10.23.10
Iron or steel products 24.10.14.10 None
Iron or steel products 24.10.31.- - None
24.10.41.- -
24.10.51.- -
24.10.32.- -
24.32.10.- -
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24.32.20.- -
24.10.T3.30
24.10.61.- -
24.10.62.- -
24.31.10.- -
24.10.71.- -
24.33.11.- -
24.33.20.00
24.31.10.60
24.34.11.- -
24.10.33.- -
24.10.42.00
24.10.34.- -
24.32.10.Z2
24.10.63.00
24.10.64.- -
24.31.30.00
24.10.72.- -
24.33.12.00
24.34.12.00
24.10.53.- -
24.10.35.- -
24.10.43.00
24.10.52.- -
Iron or steel products 24.10.54.- - Iron casting
24.10.55.- -
24.10.36.00
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24.32.10.Z1
24.32.10.30
24.32.10.40
24.32.10.50
24.10.65.- -
24.10.66.- -
24.31.20.- -
24.10.73.00
24.10.67.00
24.34.13.00
24.10.74.- -
24.10.75.00
24.51.20.00
24.20.11.- -
24.20.12.- -
24.20.13.- -
24.20.14.- -
24.20.2-.- -
24.20.3-.- -
24.20.4-.- -
24.51.3-.- -
24.52.3-.- -
25.11.21.00
25.11.22.00
25.11.23.10
25.11.23.30
25.11.23.50
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23.11.23.60
25.12.10.30
24.33.30.00
25.29.11.10
25.29.11.20
25.29.11.30
25.29.11.50
25.91.- -.- -
25.92.11.- -
25.29.12.00
25.94.11.- -
25.94.12.- -
25.99.29.22
25.99.29.25
25.99.29.27
25.99.29.3-
25.99.29.4-
Aluminium sector
4. The table relevant to the aluminium sector is below.
UK CBAM aggregated goods PRODCOM code (column B) Product benchmark (column
category (column A) C)
Unwrought aluminium 24.42.11.- - Aluminium
Aluminium products, except 24.42.21.- - None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 24.42.22.- - None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 24.42.23.- - None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 24.42.24.- - None
unwrought aluminium
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Aluminium products, except 24.42.25.00 None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 24.42.26.30 None
unwrought aluminium
24.42.26.50
Aluminium products, except 24.42.26.70 None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 25.12.10.50 None
unwrought aluminium
25.11.23.70
Aluminium products, except 25.29.11.70 None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 25.92.12.- - None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 25.29.12.00 None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 25.93.12.70 None
unwrought aluminium
Aluminium products, except 25.93.14.80 None
unwrought aluminium
25.99.29.55
Hydrogen sector
5. The table relevant to the hydrogen sector is below.
UK CBAM aggregated goods PRODCOM code (column B) Product benchmark (column
category (column A) C)
Hydrogen 20.11.11.50 Hydrogen
Except the production of
hydrogen within a refinery or
organic chemical installation
and where this hydrogen is
exclusively used within that
refinery or installation”.
Part 4
Activity Level Changes Regulation amended
Activity Level Changes Regulation amended
27. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1842 is amended in accordance with this
Part.
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Article 3 amended (reporting requirements)
28.—(1) Article 3 is amended as follows.
(2) At the end of paragraph 1 insert “The requirement that in 2027 this report must include data
for the 2 years preceding its submission also applies where the operator has any relevant product
benchmark sub-installation, relevant heat benchmark sub-installation, relevant fuel benchmark sub-
installation or any relevant process emissions sub-installation within the meaning of Article 4(9) of
the Free Allocation Regulation, and this report must reflect the division required by Article 10(4a)
of that Regulation”.
(3) In paragraph 1a—
(a) for “a sub-installation of the installation ceases operation” substitute “the condition in
either Article 3za(1)(a) or (1)(b) is satisfied”;
(b) for “of cessation” substitute “in which that condition was satisfied”.
Article 3a amended (sub-installations for which no historical activity level determined)
29.—(1) Article 3a is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph 2(b) after “Article 18(1)” insert “, and (2B) where relevant,”.
(3) In paragraph 3(b) after “Article 18(2)” insert “, and (2B) where relevant,”.
(4) After paragraph 3 insert—
“(3a) Where Article 18(2C) of the Free Allocation Regulation applies, the regulator
must:
(a) in respect of sub-installations falling within paragraph 2, recalculate the
preliminary and final number of allowances to be allocated in respect of those
sub-installations in accordance with points (b) and (c) of that paragraph; and
(b) in respect of sub-installations falling within paragraph 3, recalculate the
preliminary and final number of allowances to be allocated in respect of those
sub-installations in accordance with points (b) and (c) of that paragraph.”.
Article 5 amended (adjustments to free allocation due to activity level changes)
30.—(1) Article 5 is amended as follows.
(2) After paragraph 2a insert—
“(2b) Where the UK ETS authority has approved the recalculation under Article 16b(6)
(a) or 18a(4b) of the Free Allocation Regulation of the final number of allowances to be
allocated for a scheme year in the 2027-2030 allocation period, and paragraph 1 or 2 requires
free allocation to be increased or decreased, it is the recalculated final number of allowances
that are increased or decreased by the exact percentage change in the average activity level
compared to the historical activity level initially used to determine the free allocation.”.
(3) In paragraph 3 after “the Free Allocation Regulation” insert “(but where the UK ETS authority
has approved the recalculation under Article 16b(6)(a) or 18a(4b) of the Free Allocation Regulation
of the final number of allowances to be allocated for a scheme year in the 2027-2030 allocation
period, the free allocation of allowances shall be equal to the approved recalculated allocation
ignoring any adjustment required by Article 16b(6)(a)(ii) or 18a(4b)(b))”.
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Richard Tilbrook
Clerk of the Privy Council
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order in Council)
The United Kingdom Emissions Trading Scheme (the “UK ETS”) was established by the
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1265). The UK ETS runs for 10
“scheme years”, which is split into two “allocation periods” (the 2021-2025 allocation period and
2027-2030 allocation period) and one standalone scheme year (the 2026 scheme year). Operators
of certain industrial installations are required to monitor, submit verified reports on, and surrender
“allowances” equivalent to, their greenhouse gas emissions each scheme year. Allowances (which
are tradable) are held in accounts in the UK ETS registry, and there is a cap on the number of
allowances that may be created. Allowances are sold at auction, but some operators of installations
receive an allocation of allowances free of charge (“free allocation”) for each scheme year.
This Order amends Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/331 (the “Free Allocation
Regulation”) to make three main changes to the calculation of free allocation for the 2027-2030
allocation period. To implement these main changes across the UK ETS, amendments to the
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Order 2020 and Commission Implementing Regulation
(EU) 2019/1842 (the “Activity Level Changes Regulation”) are also made.
The first main change arises as a result of the introduction of the United Kingdom Carbon Border
Adjustment Mechanism (“UK CBAM”) from 2027. Industrial installations that operate in one of the
five sectors covered by UK CBAM (cement, fertilisers, iron and steel, aluminium and hydrogen)
will have their annual free allocation reduced by a set amount over the 2027-2030 allocation period
(see articles 19(9) and 22(3) of this Order).
Operators of “incumbent” installations will specify during the second stage of their application
for free allocation in the 2027-2030 period whether they operate in any of the five UK CBAM
sectors (see article 14(2) of this Order) and some operators may be required to resubmit the data
they submitted in their stage one application (see article 14(3) and (6) of this Order). The operators
required to resubmit will also be required to modify their monitoring methodology plan and vary
their permit (see articles 10 and 16 of this Order) - these operators will later have to resubmit in 2027
the “activity level report” they submitted in 2026 (see article 28(2) of this Order). If an incumbent
installation operates in a UK CBAM sector, a UK CBAM reduction factor will be applied to the
calculation of their free allocation in each of the 2027-2030 scheme years (see article 19(5) and (9)
of this Order). The Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Welsh Ministers and the relevant
Northern Ireland department (collectively referred to as the “UK ETS Authority”) may change the
UK CBAM reduction factor that applies in a scheme year via secondary legislation using powers
provided for in Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008 (c. 27) (see article 19(9) of this Order).
Similarly, “new entrants” are required to inform the regulator, when they apply for free allocation
in the 2027-2030 allocation period, if they operate in any of the five UK CBAM sectors (see Article
5(4) and (5) of the Free Allocation Regulation) and if they do, a UK CBAM reduction factor will be
applied to the calculation of their free allocation in each of the relevant 2027-2030 scheme years (see
article 22(3) of this Order). As above, the UK ETS Authority may make changes to the UK CBAM
reduction factor that applies in a scheme year via secondary legislation using powers provided for
in Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008 (see article 22(4) of this Order).
The second main change is to enable operators of incumbent installations to have their 2020, or 2020
and 2021, scheme year data excluded from the calculation of their “historical activity levels” (the
arithmetic mean of their activity levels in the 2019-2023 scheme years) upon which their free
allocation entitlement is calculated. This is in recognition of the impact of COVID-19 on activity
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levels in the 2020, or 2020 and 2021, scheme year/s resulting in historical activity levels that do
not represent an installation’s typical activity. Where an operator seeks to have this data excluded,
they must inform the regulator during the second stage of their application for free allocation in
the 2027-2030 allocation period (see article 14(3) of this Order). Where an operator informs the
regulator of this, their historical activity levels are recalculated excluding this data and free allocation
for the 2027-2030 allocation period is based on this recalculated historical activity level (see article
14(5) of this Order).
The third main change is to provide that existing “benchmarks” (which reflect an average emissions
intensity per unit of product of the most efficient installations in each sector) in Annex 8 to
the Free Allocation Regulation will be used to calculate free allocation in the 2027 scheme year
(an installation’s historical activity level is multiplied by the relevant benchmark as part of the
calculation), and that the UK ETS Authority will subsequently adopt updated benchmarks for the
2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years via secondary legislation using powers provided for in Part 3
of the Climate Change Act 2008 (see articles 19(9) and 22(5) of this Order). Where the UK ETS
Authority does not adopt updated benchmarks for the 2028, 2029 and 2030 scheme years by 30
September 2027, the existing Annex 8 benchmarks will apply (see article 13(3) of this Order).
This Order also makes an amendment to the Activity Level Changes Regulation to clarify that the
reporting requirement in Article 3(1a) (which will come into force on 1st January 2026) applies in all
circumstances in which Article 3za applies (recalculation of FA entitlements) even if the installation
is not an “FA installation” at the end of the relevant scheme year (see article 28(3) of this Order).
An impact assessment is available from the Industrial Decarbonisation and Emissions Trading
Directorate, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 3-8 Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2JP
and is available alongside this Order on www.legislation.gov.uk.
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