### Why this matters now
Two clocks are running for specialist and low-volume manufacturers selling into Europe and buying metals into the UK.
First, **Euro 7** (Regulation (EU) 2024/1257) starts applying to **new light-duty vehicle types** on **29 November 2026** — about eight weeks from early October 2026. All-new registrations under Euro 7 follow for cars and vans on **29 November 2027**. Small-volume manufacturers keep a delayed **all-new-registrations** obligation until **1 July 2030**.
Second, the **UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)** is set to commence on **1 January 2027** for specified imports of aluminium, iron and steel (plus cement, fertiliser and hydrogen). That lands directly on chassis, body-in-white and billet buyers who import carbon-intensive metals into the UK.
### Euro 7 — the dates that matter for LVHV programmes
According to the UK Department for Transport’s April 2026 consultation on updating Great Britain’s minimum emission standard to Euro 7 (citing the EU timetable):
| Scope | Date | What changes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cars and vans — new types | **29 November 2026** | Euro 7 required for new vehicle types |
| Cars and vans — all new registrations | **29 November 2027** | Last Euro 6d/6e registrations day before is 28 November 2027 |
| Cars and vans — **small volume manufacturers**, all new registrations | **1 July 2030** | Delayed SVM path; last pre-Euro 7 SVM registrations through 30 June 2030 |
| Trucks, buses, coaches — new types | 29 May 2028 | Heavy-duty path (watch for EU delay discussions) |
Euro 7 is not only exhaust limits. For programme and homologation leads it also brings:
- brake particulate and tyre abrasion requirements
- EV/PHEV **battery durability** thresholds and battery health monitoring
- on-board monitoring and anti-tampering expectations
**Procurement angle:** powertrain, brake, tyre and battery suppliers on active low-volume programmes need a written view of which approvals they will hold by the November 2026 new-type gate — even when the OEM itself expects to use the small-volume registration delay into 2030.
### Great Britain alignment (proposed, not yet a finished SI)
DfT’s consultation (published 13 April 2026; closed 25 May 2026) proposes to **accept EU and UNECE Euro 7 type approvals** inside the GB Whole Vehicle Type Approval framework, and to keep Regulation (EC) 715/2007 as an alternative route for small-volume manufacturers **until 30 June 2030**, matching the EU SVM registration date. Northern Ireland already follows current EU emissions steps under the Windsor Framework, so GB divergence would add dual-approval cost for any OEM selling UK-wide.
Until the secondary legislation is made, treat GB Euro 7 dates as **proposed alignment**, not as a finished statutory instrument.
### UK CBAM — aluminium and steel from 1 January 2027
HMRC’s CBAM policy summary (updated 9 September 2026) states CBAM **commences on 1 January 2027** for specified goods in aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel. The importer is the liable person. A £50,000 registration threshold applies; the first accounting period is the whole of 2027, with the first return and payment due **31 May 2028**.
For Autotrayce readers this usually means:
- imported **aluminium plate, extrusions, billet and powder** (CN 76xx family in scope)
- imported **iron and steel** products used in structures, tubes, fasteners and other articles
Scrap aluminium and ferrous scrap have stated exclusions. Temporary admission with full duty relief is generally out of scope. Downstream OEMs who never import the metal themselves may still feel price and documentation pressure from UK fabricators and Tier-1s who do.
### What to do now
1. Map every live programme’s **type-approval route** (EU WVTA, GBTA, UKNI, small/medium series) against the 29 November 2026 / 1 July 2030 gates.
2. Ask brake, tyre, exhaust and battery suppliers for their Euro 7 evidence pack status.
3. Ask UK metal importers / stockists whether they will register for CBAM and whether 2027 quotes will use actual or default emissions values.
4. Keep Northern Ireland / GB dual-path cost visible on any UK sales plan.
Sources:
1. UK DfT consultation, Updating the minimum emission standard for new road vehicles (published 13 April 2026). https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/updating-the-minimum-emission-standard-for-new-road-vehicles/updating-the-minimum-emission-standard-for-new-road-vehicles
2. Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 (Euro 7). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401257
3. HMRC, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Policy summary (updated 9 September 2026). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism-cbam-policy-summary/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism-cbam-policy-summary
4. Vehicle Certification Agency, GB Type Approval Scheme (page updated 6 June 2025). https://www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/vehicle-type-approval/gb-type-approval-scheme/
