What this guide gives you
This page gives you a practical supplier questionnaire template and evidence checklist aligned with CBAM methodology — so you can reduce reliance on default values.
Why structured supplier requests reduce default values
When supplier inputs are incomplete or inconsistent, teams fall back to default values. A standardized questionnaire creates structure, validation points, and defensibility before reporting time.
If suppliers don’t provide usable emissions data, you land on default values. A structured supplier questionnaire helps you collect the minimum viable dataset and supporting evidence before reporting time.
Why a supplier questionnaire matters for CBAM
CBAM reporting usually breaks upstream. Suppliers reply late, send partial data, or provide numbers without boundaries or evidence. A structured questionnaire reduces ambiguity and prevents default values from becoming your operating system.
The minimum viable CBAM supplier data pack
Identification & scope
- Supplier legal entity name
- Facility location
- CN code alignment
- Product scope covered by the data
Production route & boundaries
- Description of production process
- System boundaries used
- Allocation approach (if multi-product facility)
Activity data required
- Energy consumption data
- Fuel types and quantities
- Electricity source information
Evidence checklist
- Energy bills or production logs
- Calculation methodology documentation
- Internal approval records
Copy-paste CBAM supplier questionnaire template
- Provide facility identification and product scope.
- Describe production route and system boundaries.
- Provide activity data aligned with CBAM methodology.
- Attach supporting evidence documents.
- Confirm allocation logic if applicable.
How to handle non-responsive suppliers
If suppliers are silent or provide unusable data, apply a documented fallback path. Default values should be the exception, not the operating system. Read our guide on CBAM default values to understand when they apply.
Move from questionnaire to defensible workflow
A questionnaire alone is not enough. You need validation rules, a decision log, and export-ready outputs. Explore the CBAM Verified Emissions Pack workflow to operationalize supplier data collection at scale.
- Copy-paste supplier questionnaire template
- Minimum viable dataset checklist
- Evidence documentation requirements
- Fallback handling guidance
- Internal linking to default values guide
FAQ
What is a CBAM supplier questionnaire?
A structured request pack used to collect the minimum emissions data and supporting evidence required to calculate embedded emissions under CBAM methodology.
What happens if suppliers do not respond?
If suppliers remain silent or provide unusable data, companies may need to rely on default values. A documented fallback process reduces defensibility risk.
What evidence should suppliers provide?
Energy consumption records, production logs, allocation logic documentation, and methodology explanations aligned with CBAM requirements.