Article 31 Installation standards, consumer protection and smart meter adviceI1

England, Wales and Scotland

(1)

A measure meets the requirements of this article if—

(a)

advice on the benefits of using a smart meter in domestic premises is provided to the household occupying the premises at which the measure is to be installed, and that advice is provided—

(i)

in the case of a measure installed as part of an ECO4 project, before the completion of the first measure in the ECO4 project;

(ii)

in the case of an in-fill measure, before the completion of the in-fill measure;

F1(aa)

the advice on the benefits of using a smart meter in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) includes—

(i)

guidance on arranging the installation of a smart meter; and

(ii)

an invitation to the household to make a non-binding pledge to arrange the installation of a smart meter;

(b)

where the measure is the installation of a district heating connection, other than a connection to a district heating system that uses a shared ground loop, the measure—

(i)

is a connection to a district heating system registered with the Heat Trust Scheme;

(ii)

is subject to arrangements for consumer protection which are equivalent to the requirements under the Heat Trust Scheme; or

(iii)

includes the installation of a ground source heat pump at the domestic premises; and

F2(c)

where the measure does not fall within sub-paragraph (b), either—

(i)

the measure is installed by, or under the responsibility of, a person who is registered with TrustMark for the purposes of that measure and—

(aa)

a certificate of lodgement is issued by the operator of TrustMark in respect of that measure; and

(bb)

the installation adheres to the relevant TrustMark requirements for quality assurance and consumer protection, including installation standards and arrangements for repairs and other remedies, required by virtue of the TrustMark registration; or

(ii)

the measure—

(aa)

is installed subject to arrangements for quality assurance and consumer protection, including installation standards and arrangements for repairs and other remedies, which are equivalent to the requirements under TrustMark; and

(bb)

adheres to those requirements.

F3(1A)

For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c) the installation is deemed to adhere to the relevant TrustMark or equivalent requirements unless—

(a)

the measure is referred for failing to meet the relevant requirements to the Administrator by TrustMark or the equivalent person; and

(b)

that referral is not withdrawn before F41st April 2027.

(2)

In this article, “Heat Trust Scheme” means the scheme operated by Heat Customer Protection Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 09456667.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Art. 31(1)(aa) inserted (1.8.2025) by The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/941), arts. 1(2), 6(1) (with art. 6(3))
F2: Art. 31(1)(c) substituted (1.8.2025) by The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/941), arts. 1(2), 5(1)(b)(i) (with art. 5(3))
F3: Art. 31(1A) inserted (1.8.2025) by The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/941), arts. 1(2), 5(1)(b)(ii) (with art. 5(3))
F4: Words in art. 31(1A)(b) substituted (26.3.2026) by The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) (Specified Period) Order 2026 (S.I. 2026/361), arts. 1(2), 2(7)

Commencement

I1: Art. 31 in force at 27.7.2022, see art. 1(1)