Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Electricity and Gas (Standards of Performance) (Suppliers) Regulations 2015 (the “Principal Regulations”).

Regulation 3 amends regulation 2 of the Principal Regulations (general interpretation), inserting definitions of first-time smart meter appointment, in-home display, Smart Energy Code, smart meter and smart meter communication service.

Regulation 4 amends regulation 3 of the Principal Regulations (appointments) to extend the performance standards, providing that first-time smart meter appointments take place within either 30 working days for domestic customers or 60 working days for micro-business customers, from the customer’s request, subject to certain listed situations where the obligation does not apply. It also clarifies that the provision about a supplier ensuring its representative has the necessary skills, experience and resources includes appointments for the installation of a smart meter.

Regulation 5 inserts a new performance standard to the Principal Regulations, providing for suppliers to investigate when a domestic customer’s smart meter and in-home display are not operating as intended, or in the case of a micro-business customer, when the smart meter is not operating as intended.

Regulation 6 amends regulation 8 in the Principal Regulations (supplier payment obligations) such that a customer includes a micro-business customer for the new obligation at regulation 5A (investigation of smart meters not operating as intended), except for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of “not operating as intended”.

Regulation 7 amends regulation 9 in the Principal Regulations (exemptions and limitations to supplier payment obligations) such that a customer includes a micro-business customer for the new obligation at regulation 5A (investigation of smart meters not operating as intended), except for the purposes of paragraph (c) of the definition of “not operating as intended”.

The Smart Energy Code is available online at www.smartenergycodecompany.co.uk; hard copies may be requested from SECAS, Gemserv Ltd, 77 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0AS, SECAS Help desk tel. 020 7090 1000, email [email protected]. Both consolidated and non-consolidated versions of the smart meter communication service licence referred to in these Regulations are available online on the electronic public register maintained by Ofgem at https://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/; hard copies may be requested from Ofgem 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU tel. 020 7901 7295.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument, as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.