Current Developments - Special Situation in 2026 Further Procedure

Reference values (benchmarks) for the 2026–2030 period

Early June 2026: (final) coordination in the Climate Change Committee

Second half of June 2026: Adoption of the benchmarks for the 2026–2030 period

Applications for Free Allocation for 2026–2030

The following steps are subject to the formal adoption of the new benchmarks:

• June 2026: Submission by the BMLUK to the installation operators of the final application documents updated on the basis of the new benchmarks
• By mid-July 2026: Submission by the BMLUK of the final and updated application documents to the European Commission
• By the end of July 2026: Adoption of the European Commission’s decision on the cross-sectoral correction factor
• July/August 2026: Formal notification of the final and updated application documents to the European Commission
• July/August 2026: Adoption of the European Commission’s decision on the final allocations for the 2026–2030 period
• Subsequently: Issuance by the BMLUK of the national allocation decisions for the basic allocation for the 2026–2030 period
• From September 2026: Recording of the free allocations for 2026 in the Union Registry

Right to Be Heard – Basic Allocation 2026–2030

According to the current planning, the final benchmarks are expected to be available during June 2026.

On this basis, the BMLUK will update the application documents for the basic allocation for 2026–2030 and provide them to the affected installation operators for information.

The final and updated documents will then be submitted to the European Commission.

Following the adoption of the decision on the correction factor and the final allocations during the summer, the basic allocation for the 2026–2030 period will be determined by decision of the BMLUK. The allocation for 2026 is expected to be entered in the Union Registry from September 2026 onwards.

Adjustment of the Allocation for 2026

Due to the delays in 2026, the final review of the reports on the annual activity rates submitted in March 2026 has not yet been completed, as the final benchmark values will only be established in June. For this reason, it has also not yet been possible to notify these reports to the European Commission.

Following completion of the final review, the BMLUK will update the reports on the annual activity rates – analogous to the documents for the application for free allocation (see above) – on the basis of the benchmarks applicable for the 2026–2030 period and submit them to the affected installation operators.

These updated activity rate reports form the basis for adjusting the allocation for the years 2026–2030.

The final and updated reports will subsequently be notified to the European Commission.

The final allocation for 2026 will be determined by decision of the BMLUK following adoption of the decision by the European Commission.

ETS Revision 2023

The Emissions Trading Directive (Directive 2003/87/EC) was revised as part of the “Fit for 55” package and adopted by the Council on 19 April 2023. Among other things, the following key changes were made to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).