Alternative Dispute Resolution

After 1 December 2022, we’ll only work with microbusiness brokers that have signed up to an Ofgem Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme. The regulator set up the scheme after its Microbusiness Strategic Review (MSR).

What are MSR and ADR?

Ofgem’s MSR aims to improve information provision to microbusinesses, establish new dispute resolution arrangements, and better equip microbusiness consumers to navigate the energy market. It launches on 1 October 2022. The regulator’s also introducing a supply licence condition requiring suppliers to only work with microbusiness brokers signed up to the ADR scheme. This goes live on 1 December 2022.

Register for the scheme now.

What’s changing after the MSR launch?

The changes due to the MSR include:

Key dates in 2022

What’s classed as a microbusiness?

A non-domestic consumer is defined as a microbusiness if they:

Want to find out more?

The Energy Ombudsman has published information on its website about how it intends to launch, operate, and fund the scheme. It also provided more details in two virtual sessions: the recordings and slides are available on the Energy Ombudsman’s webpage.

For questions about MSR and ADR, please refer to the FAQs on the Energy Ombudsman’s website, or email the Energy Ombudsman.

Commission disclosure

From 1 October 2022, customers must be aware of the Principal Terms – including Third Party Costs* (TPCs) – before agreeing a contract. Those TPCs must be the actual or, if that’s not possible, an estimated £ amount (i.e. not p/unit) based on the full term of the contract.

In addition, suppliers must provide TPCs to customers upon request.

See examples of our updated Contract Award Schedules (CAS) and Contract Award Letters (CAL). These take effect from 1 October 2022.

*TPCs refer to any fees, commission or other consideration including a benefit of any kind, processed by the licensee and paid or made or due to be paid or made to the third party in respect of a Microbusiness Consumer Contract, that are passed on to the Microbusiness Consumer.

Letters of Authority (LOAs)

Please be aware that we only accept level 1 LOAs (i.e. those signed by the customer) and no longer accept level 2 LOAs (where a broker signs on behalf of the customer).

Terms and Conditions

You can download copies of our current SME Terms and Conditions.

Terminations

Customers no longer need to send us a termination letter. Customers on our fixed products won’t be able to leave before the ‘fixed period’ end date of their contract.

If a customer doesn’t agree a new contract or switch to a new supplier once their ‘fixed period’ expires, their contract will move into a ‘variable period’.

End of contract

If a customer doesn’t agree a new contract or switch to a new supplier once their ‘fixed period’ expires, their contract will move into a ‘variable period’.

Variable period rates do include all TPCs but can change at any time; customers can usually get a better deal by agreeing a new contract. Their contract will continue on this variable rate until they agree a new contract or switch to a new supplier.

Smart

A smart meter will send meter readings to your supplier automatically. This means you'll only pay for what you use, since we won't have to estimate your bill (unless there's a signal issue - which is rare, and we'd work with you to fix).

You'll also save time by not manually having to submit meter readings. Plus, a smart meter will give you access to detailed data on your energy use that you could use to take action and make savings.

We offer smart meters and installations at no extra cost. Find out more.