India is accelerating its preparations for the EU and UK carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM). Two Indian verification bodies have applied for accreditation to assess exporters' carbon footprints. The government is also seeking recognition for its accreditation body, NABCB, and has held consultations with industry and regulators. Indian exporters must file CBAM returns from September 2027, with certificates for 2026 goods going on sale in February 2027. Key issues include avoiding double carbon charges. The UK has confirmed that membership in the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated is enough for recognizing Indian verifiers, which could allow Indian carbon prices to offset UK border costs. India is also discussing linking its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme with the UK's mechanism. Meanwhile, the EU is expanding CBAM to 180 downstream products, so the timeline is tight for Indian industries like steel and cement to get accurate emissions data.
