MACF: survey and working groups to address next steps
As part of a user-listening approach, on 7 November last DGEC contacted operators who had participated in one of its MACF webinars in order to anticipate the difficulties for the final period to begin in 2026.
The first year of the transitional application of the Carbon Adjustment Mechanism at the Border (MACF) was challenging for the dedicated team of the Directorate-General for Energy and Climate (DGEC): technical problems, difficulties in answering questions, frustrations of the importers concerned... The national authority has decided to consult with companies to enable them to express their views first of all on the difficulties encountered during the transition and reporting period, but also on the sensitive points concerning future obligations which will be imposed in 2026.
This listening-user approach is therefore carried out in two stages:
– Oneinvestigation has been open since 6 November anduntil 27 November 2024. Answering it takes about 15 minutes. This investigation first sweeps the « lived » of economic operators during the transitional period, and then addresses expectations and fears with regard to future obligations such as the status of authorised registrant (cf.MACF: Terms of application for the status of authorized registrant), as well as the management of MACF certificates, which are required to import products subject to MACF from 1 January 2026.
– Theworking groupsIn December 2024 and January 2025, importers, representatives of professional and employers' federations and DGEC will be formed. These groups will work together to collectively address future actions. The Interdepartmental Directorate for Public Transformation (DITP) is expected to address the companies concerned shortly, but we strongly advise you to indicate your contact information at the end of the survey to ensure that you are integrated into the working groups.
DGEC