SEC version 6.25 came into effect on 6 February 2020 to implement changes designated by the Data Communications Company (DCC).

DCC Further Testing Consultation

In December 2019, the DCC consulted on a few distinct testing issues related to:

• the completion arrangements for the Process for Device Model Combination Testing (DMCT Process);
• clarification and alignment for exit criteria related to end of cycle testing covering Systems Integration Testing (SIT) and Migration Testing (MT); and
• provisions to allow firmware changes during testing for the Secure cohort of Middle Operating Capability (MOC).

On 30 January 2020, the DCC concluded on this consultation and has now notified the changes to the Smart Energy Code (SEC).

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• SEC Appendix AK ‘SEC Variation Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services’
• In addition, the DCC has also published an updated ‘Migration Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services’.

Documentation

• The DCC letter, accompanying annexes and redlining can be found here.
• You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.25 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website.

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

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has approved the addition of the next Device Model Combinations (DMCs) to the Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS)1 Eligible Product Combination List (EPCL).

This includes the addition of the first Active installations to the EPCL and the first DMCs relating to Elster meters. The addition of these new DMCs will enable the migration of these devices to the DCC system and use of SMETS1 services by DCC Users. In doing so this will allow Energy Suppliers to bring back Smart Services for those customers who have lost them and enable them to retain services on Change of Supplier.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• Appendix J ‘Enduring Testing Approach Document’
• Appendix AM ‘SMETS1 Supporting Requirements’

Where can I find further information?

• The re-designation direction and associated documents, including the redlined changes to Appendix J and Appendix AM, can be found here.
• You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.22 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website.
• If you have any questions or would like to discuss these changes to the SEC further, please contact us at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

The Data Communications Company (DCC) has concluded on the consultation on proposals for the Device Model Combination Tests (DMCT) Process and on provisions for this testing in SEC Appendix AK ‘SEC Variation Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services’ (SMETS1 SVTAD). The DCC submitted a conclusions report on this consultation to the Secretary of State including an amended SMETS1 SVTAD and Migration Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services (MTAD) on 23 October 2019. This conclusions report is published on the DCC Website here.

Pursuant to Clause 4.2 in the SMETS1 SVTAD, the DCC is modifying the SMETS1 SVTAD and re-designating it into the SEC as Appendix AK along with modifying the MTAD on 25 October 2019.

The DCC’s letter and accompanying annexes can be found here.

Where can I find further information?

• You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.19 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page on our website.
• The redlining for this designation can be found here.
• The approved MTAD can also be found on our Developing SEC webpage here.
• If you have any questions or would like to discuss these changes to the SEC further, please contact the SEC Change Team on 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

On 17 October 2019, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) issued the re-designation of SEC Schedule 11 ‘Technical Specification Applicability Tables’ (TSAT). More information on the consultation response and BEIS’s direction can be found here.

Today, SEC v6.18 has been designated incorporating the approved changes into the TSAT.

Where can I find further information?

• You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.18 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page on our website.

• The BEIS consultation response and letter can be found here.
• The re-designated TSAT and redlining for this designation can be found here.

• If you have any questions or would like to discuss these changes to the SEC further, please contact the SEC Change Team on 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

Approval of SMETS1 Device Model Combination onto the Eligible Product Combination List for DCC SMETS1 services

On 26 July 2019, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) approved the first Device Model Combination (DMC) onto the Eligible Product Combination List (EPCL).

As this is the first addition of a DMC onto the EPCL as part of the Initial Operating Capability this will trigger the DCC to release the relevant IOC update to the DCC Total System. The release is scheduled for 20:00 on Saturday 27 July and to complete by 02:00 on Sunday 28 July.

This new DCC functionality will enable the migration of these devices into the DCC system and use of SMETS1 services by DCC Users. In doing so this will allow Energy Suppliers to bring back Smart Services for those customers who have lost them and enable them to retain services on Change of Supplier

The BEIS approval letter can be found here.

SSD amendments supporting go live of initial DCC SMETS1 service operating capability

BEIS have issued a Government response to the consultation of 18 June 2019 on amendments to SEC Subsidiary Documents (SSDs) to support the enrolment and operation of SMETS1 devices in the DCC national communications network. This is to support the interoperability of these Devices when consumers change Energy Supplier. BEIS directs the incorporation of the new and amended SSDs into the SEC effective from 28 July 2019.

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

Which SEC Documents will be affected?

• SEC Appendix E ‘DCC User Interface Service Schedule’
• SEC Appendix I ‘CH Installation and Maintenance Support Materials’
• SEC Appendix AA ‘Threshold Anomaly Detection Procedures’
• SEC Appendix AB ‘Service Request Processing Document’
• SEC Appendix AC ‘Inventory Enrolment and Decommissioning Procedures’
• SEC Appendix AD ‘DCC User Interface Specification Version 3.0’
• SEC Appendix AF ‘Message Mapping Catalogue Version 3.0’
• SEC Appendix AH ‘Self Service Interface Access Control Specification’
• SEC Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’
• SEC Appendix AM ‘SMETS1 Supporting Requirements’ (new document)

Amendments will also be made to SEC Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’ in order to implement changes that had been erroneously omitted from a previous BEIS direction.

Where can I find further information?

• You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.17 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page on our website.
• The versions of the SSDs that are being incorporated into the SEC are provided here.
• The redlining for this designation can be found here.

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

BEIS direction on the incorporation of SEC Schedule 8 ‘GBCS v3.2’, Schedule 9 ‘SMETS2 v4.2’ and re-designation of Schedule 11 ‘TS Applicability Tables’ (TSAT).

The BEIS letter also provides the Government response to the associated previous CR-085 consultation published on 15 May and the timing of TSAT designation published on 13 June.

The letter and associated annexes can be found here. This letter constitutes the Direction for bringing these documents into the SEC on 4 July 2019.

Where can I find further information?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the changes to the SEC further, please contact the SEC Change Team on 020 7090 7755 or email SEC.Change@gemserv.com.

SEC version 6.15 came into effect on 27 June 2019 to implement SECMP0058 ‘Changes to the governance of the Self-Service Interface’ as part of the June 2019 SEC Release.

The sections of the SEC affected were:

• Section A ‘Definitions and interpretations’
• Section H ‘DCC Services’
• Appendix I ‘CH Installation and Maintenance Support’
• Appendix T ‘DCCKI Interface Design Specification’
• Appendix W ‘DCCKI Registration Authority Policies and Procedures’
• Appendix AA ‘Threshold Anomaly Detection Procedures’
• Appendix AH ‘Self Service Interface Design Specification’
• Appendix AI ‘Self Service Interface Code of Connection’

Where can I find further information?

• You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.15 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website;
• The redlined changes to these documents can be downloaded here; and
• SSI Change Governance Process can be found here.

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

On 21 June 2019, SEC Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’ (TMAD) will be re-designated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

On 3 May 2019 the DCC published a consultation on amendments to the TMAD which closed on 24 May 2019. The DCC consulted, on behalf of BEIS, on a proposed date for re-designation of 10 June 2019 or, if necessary, as soon as reasonably practicable within one month thereafter.

BEIS have concluded that it is appropriate to re-designate the TMAD as Version 1.2 from 21 June 2019.

The Government response to this consultation and associated documents, including the approved TMAD and redlining can be found here.

Where can I find further information?

You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.14 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website.

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

Today, on 14 June 2019, SEC v6.13 was designated.

On 15 April 2019 the Data Communications Company (DCC) published a consultation on a new Migration Testing Approach Document (MTAD) for a SMETS1 service and associated amendments to SEC Appendix AK ‘SEC Variation Testing Approach Document for SMETS1 Services’ (SVTAD) in support of testing of the migration solution for a SMETS1 service.

Following consideration of stakeholder responses, BEIS have decided to:

• approve the MTAD; and
• incorporate the amended version of the SVTAD into the SEC.

The Government response to this consultation and associated documents, including redlining for the SVTAD can be found here. The MTAD can also be found on our Developing SEC webpage here.

Where can I find further information?

You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.13 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website.

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

Following the Change Board’s decision to approve SECMP0070 ‘Permission to give Alt HAN Forum vires for enduring management and maintenance of the Exempt Premises List (EPL)’, SEC v6.12 came into effect today, 26 April 2019.

The sections of the SEC affected were:

• Section Z ‘Alt HAN Arrangements’

Where can I find further Information?

You can download a zip folder containing SEC v6.12 here, or download the individual sections of the SEC from the SEC and Guidance Documents page of our website. The redlined changes to these documents can be downloaded here.

Further information can be found on the SECMP0070 page of our website. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the changes to the SEC further, please contact the SEC Change Team on 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.