EU carbon rules / Timeline
23 years 81 milestones Baseline 2026-10-09
Timeline
Regulatory entry into force, reporting and milestones grouped by year for scheduling; each milestone links back to the regulation page for duties and status. Year pages collect everything for that year.
01
Chronology
1991 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Nitrates Directive (Directive 91/676/EEC) · Designation of nitrate-vulnerable zones from agricultural sources and action programmes
1994 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (Directive 94/62/EC) · Legacy baseline for packaging recycling and prevention; to be gradually replaced by PPWR 2025/40
1998 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Fuel Quality Directive (Directive 98/70/EC) · Technical specifications for road fuels and reduction of life-cycle greenhouse gas intensity (as amended by RED III Directive 2023/2413, repealing 2015/652)
1999 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC) · Landfill operation requirements and targets for reducing biodegradable municipal waste (as amended by 2018/850: landfill restrictions from 2030, municipal waste landfilled ≤10% by 2035)
2003 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force EU ETS Directive (Directive 2003/87/EC) · Foundational carbon pricing text setting the cap, scope and trading system
2004 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Greenhouse Gas Protocol: Corporate Standard (revised edition) (GHG Protocol Corporate Standard) · Organisational and operational boundaries of corporate GHG inventories (Scope 1/2/3)
2006 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Mining Waste Directive (Directive 2006/21/EC) · Extractive industry waste management, prevention of major accidents at Category A facilities
2008 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) · Waste hierarchy, reuse and recycling targets, producer responsibility (as amended by 2018/851 and 2025/1892; the latter adds textile/footwear EPR and food waste reduction targets)
2012 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) · WEEE producer responsibility and collection targets; registration procedures set by Member States (as amended by 2024/884, adjusting producers' recycling cost responsibility)
2015 2 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Medium Combustion Plants Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/2193) · Emission requirements and free allocation conditions for medium combustion plants
- Regulatory milestone · In force Fuel Quality Directive (Directive 98/70/EC) · Technical specifications for road fuels and reduction of life-cycle greenhouse gas intensity (as amended by RED III Directive 2023/2413, repealing 2015/652)
2018 2 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC) · Landfill operation requirements and targets for reducing biodegradable municipal waste (as amended by 2018/850: landfill restrictions from 2030, municipal waste landfilled ≤10% by 2035)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) · Waste hierarchy, reuse and recycling targets, producer responsibility (as amended by 2018/851 and 2025/1892; the latter adds textile/footwear EPR and food waste reduction targets)
2019 3 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force ETS Transitional Rules for Free Allocation (Delegated Reg (EU) 2019/331 (as amended by 2024/873)) · Industrial installation benchmarks, historical activity levels, conditional allocation (as amended by 2024/873)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Single-Use Plastics Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904) · Requires Member States to reduce specific single-use plastics; does not set a uniform tax rate
- Regulatory milestone · In force Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) (Regulation (EU) 2019/2088) · Sustainability risk disclosures by financial market participants and financial advisers (‘sustainable investment’ definition amended by Taxonomy Regulation 2020/852; also amended by Regulation 2024/3005)
2020 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force EU Taxonomy (Regulation (EU) 2020/852 + DA (EU) 2021/2139) · Defines environmental objectives for sustainable economic activities and aligned disclosure rules (scope of reporting entities narrowed by Omnibus I Directive 2026/470)
2021 3 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force European Climate Law (Regulation (EU) 2021/1119) · 2050 climate neutrality, 2030 reduction of 55% (2040 net 90% reduction target added by 2026/667)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) (Regulation (EU) 2019/2088) · Sustainability risk disclosures by financial market participants and financial advisers (‘sustainable investment’ definition amended by Taxonomy Regulation 2020/852; also amended by Regulation 2024/3005)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Method Recommendation (Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279) · Methods for measuring and communicating life-cycle environmental performance (PEF / OEF)
2022 1 milestones
- Deadline France's ban on new green claims / carbon-neutral advertising rules apply respectively
2023 9 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force ETS Revision (Fit for 55) (Directive (EU) 2023/959) · Cap contraction, changes to free allocation, aviation, ETS2 framework
- Regulatory milestone · In force ETS Auctioning Regulation (Delegated Reg (EU) 2023/2830) · Replaces 1031/2010; sets the allowance auction platform, calendar and procedures
- Regulatory milestone · In force CBAM Transitional Period Reporting Implementing Rules (Implementing Reg (EU) 2023/1773 (as amended by 2024/2403)) · Forms, calculation and default value rules for import declarations (2023-10 to 2025-12; as amended by 2024/2403)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) (Regulation (EU) 2023/857) · National emission reduction obligations for sectors not covered by carbon pricing
- Regulatory milestone · In force LULUCF Amendment (Regulation (EU) 2023/839) · Amends 2018/841; 2030 net carbon sink target of 310 million tonnes CO₂e
- Regulatory milestone · In force ESRS (original version) (Delegated Reg (EU) 2023/2772) · First set of ESRS standards (amended by 2026/1563)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/1791) · Data centre reporting (Articles 11a/11b), energy audits
- Regulatory milestone · In force Renewable Energy Directive RED III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) · Targets, permitting acceleration, RFNBO rules
- Regulatory milestone · In force Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) (Regulation (EU) 2023/1804) · Mandatory deployment targets and technical specifications for alternative fuels infrastructure (as amended by Delegated Regulations 2025/656 and 2025/671)
2024 16 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force ETS Transitional Rules for Free Allocation (Delegated Reg (EU) 2019/331 (as amended by 2024/873)) · Industrial installation benchmarks, historical activity levels, conditional allocation (as amended by 2024/873)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Energy Performance of Buildings Directive EPBD (Directive (EU) 2024/1275) · Zero-emission buildings 2030, stock renovation
- Regulatory milestone · In force Electricity Market Reform (Regulation (EU) 2024/1747) · PPAs, flexibility, demand response
- Regulatory milestone · In force Net-Zero Industry Act NZIA (Regulation (EU) 2024/1735) · Sustainability/resilience criteria in tenders (including carbon footprint)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Critical Raw Materials Act CRMA (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252) · Safeguards security and diversification of strategic raw material supply
- Regulatory milestone · In force Ecodesign for Sustainable Products ESPR (Regulation (EU) 2024/1781) · Ecodesign requirements and digital product passport
- Regulatory milestone · In force Fluorinated Gases Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/573) · HFC quota reductions, equipment bans
- Regulatory milestone · In force Methane Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1787) · MRV and emission reduction obligations for oil, gas and coal (including imports)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Consumer Green Claims Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/825) · Anti-greenwashing; Green Claims proposal stalled
- Regulatory milestone · In force EU Green Bond Standard (Regulation (EU) 2023/2631) · Voluntary standard for uniform ‘green bond’ naming and disclosure (applies from 2024-12; amended by the ESAP Regulation 2023/2869)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Heavy-Duty Vehicle CO₂ Standards (Regulation (EU) 2024/1610) · 2030 reduction 45% / 2035 reduction 65% / 2040 reduction 90% (parent act 2019/1242 amended by 2024/1610 and further adjusted for credit calculation by 2026/1046)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/3019) · Urban wastewater collection and treatment, quaternary treatment and energy neutrality
- Regulatory milestone · In force Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) (Regulation (EU) 2023/1804) · Mandatory deployment targets and technical specifications for alternative fuels infrastructure (as amended by Delegated Regulations 2025/656 and 2025/671)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF) (Regulation (EU) 2024/3012) · Voluntary certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and product carbon storage
- Regulatory milestone · In force Construction Products Regulation (CPR) (Regulation (EU) 2024/3110) · Harmonised rules for construction products and life-cycle environmental performance declarations
- Regulatory milestone · In force TfS/Cefic Chemical Industry Product Carbon Footprint Guideline (2024) (TfS PCF Guideline v3 (2024)) · Cradle-to-gate PCF accounting and supply chain transfer for chemical products
2025 8 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force CBAM Simplification Amendment (Regulation (EU) 2025/2083) · Amends 2023/956: 50 t/year threshold, simplified declarations
- Regulatory milestone · In force CSRD/CSDDD Deadline Postponement (stop-the-clock) (Directive (EU) 2025/794) · Postpones deadlines only: CSRD second and third reporting waves each by two years, CSDDD transposition by one year (subsequently amended by 2026/470)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Clean Industrial Deal (COM(2025) 85) · Overall policy framework for industrial decarbonisation
- Regulatory milestone · In force Steel and Metals Action Plan (COM(2025) 125 (19.3.2025)) · Steel/aluminium-specific measures, source of the CBAM extension
- Regulatory milestone · In force Packaging and Packaging Waste PPWR (Regulation (EU) 2025/40) · Recycled content shares, recyclability
- Regulatory milestone · In force ReFuelEU Aviation (Regulation (EU) 2023/2405) · SAF blending obligation from 2025
- Regulatory milestone · In force FuelEU Maritime (Regulation (EU) 2023/1805) · GHG intensity obligation from 2025
- Deadline Austria's single-use beverage container deposit scheme starts to apply
2026 13 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force CBAM Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/956) · Levies a carbon border adjustment charge on embedded emissions in imported covered goods (definitive period from 2026-01-01; simplified by 2025/2083)
- Regulatory milestone · In progress ETS2 Market Stability Reserve Amendment (Council/Parliament provisional agreement, 2026-06) · Maintain mechanism stability before 2028 and avoid sharp price fluctuations
- Regulatory milestone · In force 2040 Target Amendment (Regulation (EU) 2026/667) · 90% net reduction by 2040; up to 5% international carbon credits from 2036
- Regulatory milestone · In force Omnibus I Amendment (Directive (EU) 2026/470) · Amends 2022/2464 (CSRD) and 2024/1760 (CSDDD); narrows scope and thresholds (transposition deadline 2027-03-19)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Simplified ESRS (Delegated Reg (EU) 2026/1563) · Applies to financial year 2027 (early application permitted from 2026); mandatory disclosure points ↓60%
- Regulatory milestone · In force Voluntary Standard (VS, based on VSME) (Delegated Reg (EU) 2026/1560) · Voluntary use by SMEs in supply chains + value chain cap
- Regulatory milestone · In force Industrial Emissions Directive IED 2.0 (Directive (EU) 2024/1785) · Tighter BAT-AELs and transformation plan requirements (transposition deadline 2026-07-01)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Deforestation Regulation EUDR (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) · Applies to large and medium operators from 2026-12-30 and to micro and small operators from 2027-06-30 (two postponements by 2024/3234 and 2025/2650)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Social Climate Fund (Regulation (EU) 2023/955) · Supports a fair ETS2 transition (Article 33(3) amended by Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791)
- Regulatory milestone · In force ETS2 Frontloading Facility (European Commission / EIB, 2026) · Up to €3bn advanced to Member States
- Regulatory milestone · In force Construction Products Regulation (CPR) (Regulation (EU) 2024/3110) · Harmonised rules for construction products and life-cycle environmental performance declarations
- Deadline First year of the CBAM definitive period: record import and emissions data
- Deadline EmpCo transposition rules start to apply (verify against each Member State's implementing law)
2027 8 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · Draft ESRS-40a (non-EU parent standard) (EFRAG, in drafting) · Sustainability reporting standard for non-EU parent companies (expected finalisation mid-2027; Article 40a thresholds raised by Omnibus I Directive 2026/470)
- Regulatory milestone · In force Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542) · Battery passport (2027-02), carbon footprint declaration phased in; due diligence obligations postponed to 2027-08-18 by 2025/1561
- Regulatory milestone · In force Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/3019) · Urban wastewater collection and treatment, quaternary treatment and energy neutrality
- Deadline CBAM certificates go on sale; battery passport takes effect 2027-02-18
- Deadline Deadline for Member States to transpose the CSRD amendments
- Deadline Deadline for the 2026 CBAM declaration
- Deadline Simplified ESRS become mandatory
- Deadline Polish green-claims transposition law expected to enter into force [pending legislation]
2028 4 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In progress CBAM Downstream Extension (COM(2025) 989 final) · Approximately 180 steel/aluminium downstream products; proposed to take effect in 2028-01
- Regulatory milestone · In force ETS2 (buildings/road transport/small industry) (Directive (EU) 2023/959, Article 30a) · Start postponed to 2028 (originally 2027); auctioning frontloaded in 2027
- Regulatory milestone · In force CSDDD Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1760) · Narrowed by 2026/470 (Omnibus I); transposition 2028-07-26, obligations from 2029
- Deadline ETS2 starts; proposed CBAM downstream extension takes effect [under negotiation]
2030 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force CISAF State Aid Framework (C(2025) OJ C 2025/3602) · Replaces the TCTF (Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, OJ C 101, 17.3.2023); 2025-06-25 to 2030-12-31
2035 1 milestones
- Regulatory milestone · In force Passenger Car CO₂ Standards (Regulation (EU) 2019/631 (as amended by 2023/851)) · As amended by 2023/851: zero emissions for new cars in 2035; 2025/26 exemption review [under negotiation 2026] (2025/1214 additionally introduces three-year averaging flexibility for 2025–2027)
02
Related
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- Product life cycle Rule families by stage Stages
Basis: Key dates from this site's regulation data; numbers checked against CELLAR. This page is a compliance guide; the official text and the competent authority's interpretation prevail. Entries marked "under consideration" or "draft" may change.