MP130 'CH order and delivery changes due to COVID-19'

The current UK Government social distancing guidance issued to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) means only essential Communications Hub installations are taking place. There is currently no definitive end date to this guidance.
The manufacturers of Communications Hubs are not UK-based and therefore are not subject to the same social distancing guidance. They are continuing to manufacture Communications Hubs and the DCC’s Service Providers are contractually obliged to receive them. Under the SEC, Suppliers are obliged to receive the deliveries they ordered.
This has resulted in large numbers of Communications Hubs being held by Suppliers. Scheduled deliveries that are required under the SEC to continue mean Suppliers now face the challenge of reduced warehouse capacity and the need to minimise the unnecessary movement of Communications Hub stock.

The DCC’s proposed solution will introduce new obligations for both the DCC and Parties. It particularly notes a proposed order commitment period for Parties and the DCC’s requirement to hold stock or defer deliveries on behalf of Parties. Legal certainty is needed that Parties will take the minimum order quantities once deliveries can recommence in order to protect the supply chain.