Nexer and Stibo Systems have developed an AI-driven solution to address the complexity of reporting and compliance under the EU’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). By integrating AI capabilities with Stibo Systems’ powerful MDM platform (Master Data Management) STEP, this offering gives companies a robust, strategic tool for collecting, managing, and reporting emissions data more efficiently.
CBAM – part of the EU Green Deal
As part of the EU Green Deal, a plan to transition to a sustainable economy, CBAM aims to prevent carbon leakage and promote sustainable business practices by imposing a carbon charge on carbon-intensive goods produced outside the EU. Strict requirements — including accurate product classification, product-level emissions reporting, and the purchase of carbon certificates — will become mandatory from 2026. These new rules will create significant operational and administrative challenges for global companies, whether in collecting, managing, or sharing emissions data.
Automated product classification with AI
To meet these demands, the new solution — part of the Sustainability Data Management offering on Stibo Systems’ STEP platform — has been enhanced with advanced machine learning features. It automates product classification using unsupervised learning techniques, allowing the AI to process large datasets and propose the most likely CN code when historical data are missing. As the dataset grows, supervised learning further refines classification accuracy, helping companies meet compliance requirements with greater confidence and efficiency.
Streamlined carbon emissions reporting
Beyond automated classification, the solution streamlines emissions reporting by centralizing and validating sustainability data, reducing the risk of human error and the administrative burden of manual collection. By creating a centralized master or “golden record,” companies can trace and analyze emissions throughout their supply chains. This improved transparency — access to more consistent, higher-quality data — enables leaders to make better-informed decisions and communicate more reliably about achievements and reductions to stakeholders.
CBAM’s impact on importers and suppliers
CBAM affects more than just importers. By providing verifiable and traceable data, the solution facilitates collaboration with suppliers and supports compliance, operational efficiency, and enhanced competitiveness. With a partnership spanning more than a decade, Nexer and Stibo Systems combine deep expertise in master data management and data-driven sustainability to deliver a solution that addresses current CBAM challenges while preparing organizations for future regulatory changes and enabling a data-driven approach to sustainability. Demand for more sustainable companies and products from consumers and investors is rising daily, making control over one’s carbon footprint a strategic priority that extends well beyond mere compliance.
AI and master data – a strategic resource
“Our solution is not just about meeting regulatory requirements — it’s a strategic resource for companies that want to position themselves as leaders in sustainability,” says Jesper Leth, Director of Data Strategy and Product Management at Nexer. “By integrating AI into Stibo Systems’ STEP platform, we enable companies to navigate CBAM with both confidence and flexibility.”