SEC version 61.0 came into effect on 30 June 2022 to implement the June 2022 SEC Release. This included six Modification Proposals and changes made by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to support the Enduring Change of Supplier (ECoS) arrangements.

Summary of SEC modification changes

SECMP0015 ‘GPF timestamp for reading instantaneous Gas values’: Only the DCC User Interface Specification (DUIS) and Message Mapping Catalogue (MMC) document changes required for SECMP0015 have been implemented, alongside other DUIS and MMC changes. The functionality, including the DCC System and Data Services Provider (DSP) System changes, and the associated changes to the remaining technical specifications will not be implemented until the November 2022 SEC Release (3 November 2022). Therefore, there will be no User impacts resulting from SECMP0015 in the June 2022 SEC Release.

In the November 2022 SEC Release, SECMP0015 will allow Parties and Devices reading the instantaneous values from the Gas Proxy function (GPF) to know the time on the Gas Smart Metering Equipment’s (GSME’s) clock when the value was provided.

SECMP0024 ‘Enduring Approach to Communication Hub Firmware Management’ has introduced a new DCC Alert that will be sent to Suppliers upon firmware being activated on Communications Hubs which contains the Communications Hub firmware version.

MP104 ‘Security Improvements’ has implemented a new DCC validation check to identify if DCC Users are Digitally Signing Extensible Markup Language (XML) format Service Requests and Signed Pre-Commands with a User Role Signing Private Key.

MP159 ‘Credit Cover Review’ has addressed inefficiencies within SEC Section J3 ‘Credit Cover’ and has added clarity to the areas that have been previously misinterpreted.

MP195 ‘Security Sub-Committee guidance on Device Assurance’ has added an obligation on the Security Sub-Committee (SSC) to develop and maintain a guidance document for Device security assurance.

MP199 ‘June 2022 SEC Release Supporting Changes’ has made minor additions and amendments to the DUIS which would ensure greater clarity.

ECoS-related changes

The ECoS-related changes impact SEC Appendix AB ‘Service Request Processing Document’ (SRPD) and SEC Appendix AD ‘DCC User Interface Specification’ (DUIS). The nature of the ECoS-related changes being for the June 2022 SEC Release is technical, and essentially reflects additional checks that the DCC will be carrying out on Service Requests and Signed Pre-Commands to ensure that they will be successfully processed by Devices. The detail of these additional checks can be found in the BEIS designation letter check in the link below.

• BEIS designation letter and accompanying annexes

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• Section G ‘Security’
• Section J ‘Charges’
• Schedule 11 ‘TS Applicability Tables’
• Appendix AB ‘Service Request Processing Document’
• Appendix AD ‘DCC User Interface Specification’
• Appendix AF ‘Message Mapping Catalogue’

Where can I access the legal text?

The redlined changes for the documents available on CodeWorks can be found via the links below:

• Getting access to CodeWorks
• Already registered? Log in here at codeworks.energy

The redlining for the DUIS and the MMC can be found at the end of the June 2022 SEC Release page here.

Our Document Log lists the versions of each SEC document now in effect following this release.

You can download clean versions of the individual SEC documents from the SEC and Supporting Documents section of our website or via CodeWorks.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

Today, BEIS has published a Direction confirming the funding mechanism for Smart Energy GB’s microbusiness activities.

In 2019, BEIS extended Smart Energy GB’s remit to include Relevant Designated Premises (microbusiness non-domestic premises).

As set out in the Standard Conditions of the Electricity Supply (SLC 45A.44) and Gas Supply Licences (SLC 39A.44), non-domestic energy Suppliers are required to meet the costs of Smart Energy GB’s non-domestic activity.

Capital costs for the microbusiness campaigns are shared amongst large non-domestic Suppliers. Fixed operating costs are shared amongst large and small non-domestic Suppliers. Both are weighted by market share of the total non-domestic market.

In 2020, Government confirmed its intention to amend Smart Energy GB’s objectives to ensure they remain relevant for the next phase of the Smart Meter rollout post-2020.

As standard conditions 45A of the Electricity Supply (SLC 45A) and 39A of the Gas Supply Licences (SLC 39A) came into effect on the 30 June 2021 to support the target framework, BEIS has issued a Direction confirming the existing non-domestic Smart Energy GB funding arrangements.

The direction letter can be downloaded here.

If you have any questions, please contact the SECAS Helpdesk

On 8 October 2021, an updated version of the SEC came into effect to implement a designation made by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This is in support of the Data Communications Company (DCC) Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS) 1 service.

The BEIS designation letter and accompanying annexes, including the redlining, can be found here.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• SEC Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• SEC Appendix Z ‘CPL Requirements Document’
• SEC Appendix AM ‘SMETS1 Supporting Requirements’

Where can I access the legal text?

The redlined changes for Section A and Appendix Z are also available on CodeWorks via the links below:

• Getting access to CodeWorks
• Already registered? Log in here at codeworks.energy

Our Document Log lists the versions of each SEC document now in effect following this release.

You can download the individual SEC documents from the SEC and Supporting Documents section of our website or via CodeWorks.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published a response to its consultation of 1 April 2021. The response includes conclusions on proposed changes to the SEC for the Enduring Change of Supplier (ECoS) Arrangements and for certain security provisions.

In addition, BEIS has directed the re-designation of the Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) Interface Design Specification (SMKI IDS) to simplify the process by which Certificate Signing Requests can be submitted by those accessing the SMKI service over the internet. This designation will take effect from 16 June 2021.

• The covering letter and the response document (Annex B) can be found here.
• Annex A to the covering letter – the revised version of the SMKI IDS can be found here.
• Appendices 1-4 of Annex B can be found here.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

An updated version of the SEC came into effect today, 13 January 2021, to implement a modification to SEC Appendix E ‘DCC User Interface Services Schedule’ (UISS) made by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

This is to align the Target Response Times within the UISS across Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications 2+ (SMETS2+) and enrolled SMETS1 Device Models.

Paragraph 3 of the UISS previously restricted the Target Response Times for Scheduled Services to SMETS2+ Devices only. This restriction has been removed, making the Target Response Times applicable to SMETS1 and SMETS2+ Devices, thereby making sure that the regulatory framework reflects the system behaviour.

The accompanying documents can be found via the following links:

• BEIS designation letter
• Annex A: SEC Appendix E ‘DCC User Interface Services Schedule’ v5.0
• Annex B: SEC Appendix E ‘DCC User Interface Services Schedule’ v4.0 mark-up

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• SEC Appendix E ‘DCC User Interface Services Schedule’

Where can I access the redlining?

The redlined changes to this Appendix can be found on CodeWorks via the links below:

• Getting access to CodeWorks
• Already registered? Log in here at codeworks.energy

Our Document Log lists the versions of each SEC document now in effect following this release.

You can download the individual SEC documents from the SEC and Supporting Documents section of our website or via CodeWorks.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

Today the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a consultation on proposals to modify the Baseline Margin Project Performance Adjustment (BMPPA) Scheme for Release 2.0. The scheme includes incentives that relate to the DCC’s delivery of Dual Band Communications Hubs.

The consultation letter and accompanying annexes can be found here.

How can I respond to this consultation?

Please send your responses or any enquiries to smartmetering@beis.gov.uk.

The deadline for responses to this consultation is 5pm on Tuesday 18 August 2020.

DCC consultation on revised LC13 plan

In parallel, the Data Communications Company (DCC) is consulting on a revised LC13 plan for Release 2.0 which can (as of the date of publication) be found here. Please note that the DCC consultation has a two-week period, and responses are due by 4pm on Thursday 30 July.

Please send your responses or any enquiries to consultations@smartdcc.co.uk.

Today the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a consultation on proposals for a Baseline Margin Project Performance Adjustment (BMPPA) Scheme to be made under Schedule 1 of Condition 38 of the Smart Meter Communication Licence. The scheme relates to the DCC’s delivery of the Enduring Change of Supplier Arrangements which will replace the existing Transitional Change of Supplier arrangements that are used to secure the processing of Service Requests to transfer control of smart metering devices to the incoming supplier on a CoS event.

The consultation letter and accompanying annexes can be found here.

How can I respond to this consultation?

Please send your responses or any enquiries to smartmetering@beis.gov.uk.

The deadline for responses to this consultation is 5pm on Friday 14 August 2020.

An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 15 June 2020 to implement a designation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This is to support the Data Communications Company (DCC) Smart Metering Equipment Specifications 1 (SMETS1) service.

The BEIS designation letter and accompanying annexes can be found here.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• SEC Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’

The redlined changes for SEC Appendix AL can be found here.

Our Document Log lists the versions of each SEC document now in effect following this release.

You can download the individual SEC documents from the SEC and Supporting Documents section of our website or via CodeWorks.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 10 June 2020 to implement a designation by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), whereby the Minister signed into effect the legal changes laid in parliament on 23 March. This made a number of changes to the SEC, Licences and other Codes.

The changes are detailed in BEIS’s 26 March 2020 consultation which can be found here.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

The following part of the SEC was affected:

• Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• Section E ‘Registration Data’
• Section G ‘Security’
• Section K ‘Charging Methodology’
• Section L ‘Smart Metering Key Infrastructure and DCC Key Infrastructure’

Where can I access the redlining?

The redlined changes to these Section can be found on CodeWorks via the links below:

• Getting access to CodeWorks
• Already registered? Log in here at codeworks.energy

Our Document Log lists the versions of each SEC document now in effect following this release.

You can download the individual SEC documents from the SEC and Supporting Documents section of our website or via CodeWorks.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the changes to the SEC further, please call 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

Today, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a consultation response to the 26 March consultation on the proposals that set out the extent to which Enduring Change of Supplier (ECoS) Systems should be separated from other Data Communications Company (DCC) Systems. The ECoS arrangements are changes to the process that the DCC follows when a consumer changes energy Supplier and the new Supplier seeks to take over control of the Smart Meter and other Devices in the consumer premises. They will replace the existing “Transitional Change of Supplier” arrangements that were originally implemented and which were intended to be temporary.

The government response letter can be found here.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions, please contact smartmetering@beis.gov.uk.