BEIS consultation on regulatory changes related to the provision of a DCC SMETS1 Service, and changes to the CPA and CPL management process for SMETS2 Devices

On 5^th November 2018 BEIS issued a consultation letter to Ofgem, the SEC Panel, SEC Parties and other interested parties seeking views on proposed amendments to the SEC and energy supply licence conditions relating to the provision of a SMETS1 Service by the Data Communications Company (DCC), and to streamline the management of the Commercial Product Assurance (CPA) and Central Products List (CPL) management processes that apply in respect of SMETS2 Devices.

The primary changes proposed by this consultation are:

• Amendments to establish the conditions under which a SMETS1 Smart Metering System will be considered Eligible for Enrolment for the purposes of the SMETS1 enrolment mandate which was concluded upon in October 2018.
• The inclusion of a new obligation in the energy supply licences that would require energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to facilitate SMETS1 Smart Metering Systems becoming Eligible for Enrolment with the DCC as soon as reasonably practicable.
• Amendments to the SEC to reflect potential differences between the communications service provision for SMETS1 and SMETS2 meters.
• Amendments to the SEC to move away from the automatic removal of devices from the CPL due to CPA non-compliance, towards a risk-based approach which involves the SEC Security Sub-Committee (SSC) taking an evidence-based decision on the most appropriate remedy to pursue. In addition, we are proposing to transfer responsibility for maintaining the CPA Security Characteristics to the SSC for enduring industry management.
• A number of further miscellaneous amendments to the regulatory framework to enable the delivery of a SMETS1 service by the DCC. These include a number of definition changes, proposals to streamline the Commissioning and CPL process for SMETS1 Device Models, and the inclusion of new provisions to reflect the relationship between the Electricity Supplier and Gas Supplier in respect of gas consumption data stored on the SMETS1 Communications Hub at split supply premises.

The deadline for responses to this consultation is Monday 3rd December 2018.

• Consultation Letter
• Annex A: Consultation Document
• Annex B: Draft SEC Amendments
• Annex C: Draft Energy Supply Licence Amendments
• Annex D: Draft IEDP Re-designation Direction
• Annex E: Privacy Notice