Articles & Signals
Articles on K-RE100, KEPCO tariffs and CBAM
Explainers written for suppliers to Korean manufacturers, plus buyer and regulator announcements. 6 article(s) in total.
"We Make Semiconductors, So CBAM Isn't Our Problem" — Check Your Export Declaration First
CBAM applies by product (CN code), not by industry. Semiconductor devices and equipment aren't covered, but processed steel and aluminum products such as screws, bolts, and metal structures already are. This piece covers, based on the guidance for non-EU operators published by the European Commission, the steps for determining coverage using your export declaration certificate.
There Is a Ceiling on What a Buyer Can Ask: The Line the EU Omnibus Drew
The EU Omnibus revision put a cap on the ESG information a client company can demand from its suppliers. Suppliers with 1,000 or fewer employees cannot be required to provide information beyond the voluntary SME standard, and contract clauses that force this are unenforceable. This piece lays out the underlying provisions article by article.
EU CBAM Goes Live: What It Means for the Semiconductor Supply Chain
Finished semiconductor products aren't yet directly covered by CBAM. But as CBAM enters full implementation in 2026 and its scope expands to downstream products, the semiconductor supply chain is coming within reach of carbon-data requirements too. This piece covers CBAM's phase-in schedule, the products currently covered, and what to prepare now.
RE100 Criteria Changed Again: Three Things Korean Suppliers Should Check Now
RE100 criteria are changing in three ways: a 15-year age limit on renewable energy assets, a tightened definition of the European single market, and mandatory proof of certificate cancellation. If you rely on PPAs and certificates, you'll need to prove which plant the power came from, when it was built, and that the certificate was actually cancelled. This piece covers when each change takes effect and what to check.
How Other Countries Are Answering CBAM, and What It Means for Korea
India, Türkiye, and China are each responding to the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in their own way. This piece compares the three countries' national and industry-level moves and, focusing on direction rather than individual company figures, covers the implications for Korean exporters and supply-chain companies and what to do first.
EU CBAM Starts Charging Soon: A Readiness Check for Korean Exporters
The EU CBAM enters full implementation in 2026. This piece covers why suppliers that don't export directly to the EU are still affected through their client companies, a 4-step self-check for figuring out which preparation stage you're at, an assumption-based example for estimating cost, and three things to do right now plus reporting tips.