Guard Spotlight.

New commitments from China, more material shortages in parts of industry and additional EU sanctions: three developments for procurement.

01 | China intends to further facilitate export licences
In the joint statement of 9 October, China agrees to further facilitate licences for rare earths and permanent magnets shipped to the EU through the existing fast-track procedure. [1] This matters for manufacturers of motors and drives and their suppliers. It does not yet establish shorter lead times. Review outstanding licence applications with suppliers and adjust delivery plans only on the basis of specific approval and shipping confirmations.

02 | Material shortages are rising again
According to the ifo publication of 12 October, 14.6% of German industrial companies lacked intermediate goods in September, up from 13.3% in August. The figure was 37.8% for electronics and optical products; the chemical industry also reported more shortages. In basic metals, by contrast, the situation eased. [2] Your own bill of materials is what matters: check confirmed delivery dates and stock coverage for critical components, rather than increasing inventory across the board.

03 | EU expands Russia sanctions list
On 12 October, the Council added 826 Russian companies and 743 executives to its sanctions list. They include suppliers of electronics, communications technology and optics. [3] Listed parties are subject to asset freezes and a ban on the direct or indirect provision of economic resources. Procurement and compliance teams should incorporate the updated lists into business partner screening and have possible indirect links reviewed before pending transactions proceed.

Sources:
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/document/print/en/statement_26_2122/STATEMENT_26_2122_EN.pdf
[2] https://www.ifo.de/fakten/2026-10-12/materialengpaesse-der-industrie-nehmen-wieder-zu
[3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/10/12/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-eu-agrees-largest-ever-package-of-listings-targeting-almost-1600-individuals-and-entities-in-russia-s-military-industrial-complex/

A port labour agreement, an announced oil reserve release and higher CO₂ costs: three developments for procurement.

01 | Collective agreement at German seaports
ZDS and ver.di have reached an agreement, as confirmed by the employers’ association on 6 October. It covers employers bound by the collective agreement in Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven, Emden, Brake and Wilhelmshaven. [1] This removes a specific potential cause of strike action affecting import and export supply chains. Companies that had planned to use alternative ports as a precaution should reassess that diversion with their logistics partner. Whether individual shipments remain delayed still needs to be checked separately; a collective agreement does not confirm available terminal capacity.

02 | G7 announce release of oil reserves
On 2 October, the G7 announced the release of 100 million barrels over four months, with part of the diesel allocation brought forward into the first 20 days. [2] For companies heavily reliant on road freight, the key question is when any relief might be reflected in transport costs. Check the reference index and adjustment frequency of diesel surcharges. The announced release is evidence of neither freight rates having already fallen nor transport capacity being secured.

03 | CBAM: Q3 price rises to €82.32
On 5 October, the European Commission published the certificate price for Q3 2026: €82.32 per tonne of CO₂e, up from €75.28 in Q2. [3] This changes the cost basis for affected steel and aluminium imports. Procurement and customs teams should bring together Q3 import volumes, emissions data and cost assumptions. The actual liability also depends on the applicable adjustments; the certificate price alone is not a surcharge per tonne of material.

Sources:
[1] https://lnkd.in/e-ee7UgD
[2] https://lnkd.in/e7YsBwZW
[3] https://lnkd.in/dJNftifj

AI-generated illustrative images; not documentary photography.