Indian authorities are working to expand access to recognised emissions verification for exporters covered by the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, as verification capacity becomes an operational issue alongside carbon costs.
The Financial Express reported on September 15 that officials were engaging with domestic accreditation institutions and discussing recognition arrangements with European counterparts. The work involves the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and engagement with the European Commission’s tax and customs authorities.
The reported discussions are intended to improve the channel through which Indian verification capacity can serve exporters. They do not represent an EU decision to automatically recognise all Indian-accredited verification bodies or accept all emissions certificates issued domestically.
Accreditation and verifier location remain separate
Under the European Commission’s published framework, verification companies established outside the EU can seek accreditation through an EU national accreditation body that provides the relevant accreditation service.
This means the location of a verification company and the jurisdiction of the authority granting its accreditation are separate considerations for CBAM compliance.
For Indian aluminium producers, greater availability of appropriately qualified verifiers could improve access to plant inspections, technical expertise and emissions-reporting support. The overall cost of verification would nevertheless depend on factors including installation complexity and the quality of the underlying records.
Verification scope does not replace emissions evidence
Selecting a lower-cost verification engagement would not resolve a compliance problem if the resulting report falls outside the accreditation scope required for the relevant CBAM activity.
Conversely, obtaining a verifier with the appropriate accreditation does not correct deficiencies in production data or emissions evidence. Those records remain subject to the examination required for an acceptable verification outcome.
India’s initiative therefore concerns the availability of recognised assurance capacity, while exporters remain responsible for producing the evidence that verifiers must assess. Delays in either verification arrangements or the preparation of supporting documentation could leave a European customer without an acceptable actual-emissions figure.
