An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 18 July 2022 to implement MP200 ‘Faster Switching consequential changes to the SEC’.

MP200 is an Authority-Led Variation implemented as part of Ofgem’s Faster Switching Programme. Several SEC Sections and Appendices have been amended in order to facilitate the go-live of the Centralised Switching Service (CSS). These changes have been deemed as consequential changes that have minor, if any, impacts on SEC Parties.

By implementing the consequential changes to the SEC and to other industry Codes, consumers will be able to realise the benefits from Ofgem’s Faster Switching Programme.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

The following parts of the SEC were affected:

• SEC Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• SEC Section E ‘Registration Data’
• Section G ‘Security’
• Section H ‘DCC Services’
• Section K ‘Charging Methodology’
• Section L ‘Smart Metering Key Infrastructure and DCC Key Infrastructure’
• Section P ‘Production Proving’
• Appendix X ‘Registration Data Interface Specification’
• Appendix Y ‘Registration Data Interface Code of Connection’
• Appendix AG ‘Incident Management Policy’
• Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’

Where can I access the redlining?

The redlined changes 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?

Further information can be found on the MP200 page of our website. If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

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.

An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 24 March 2022 to implement MP201 ‘CHTS v1.1 and GBCS v2.0 Applicability End Date’.

MP201 extends the Applicability Period End Date for Communications Hub Technical Specifications (CHTS) v1.1 and GB Companion Specification (GBCS) v2.0 by 18 months to 28 August 2023. In addition, an incorrect cross reference in the SEC Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’ definition of Applicability Period has been updated.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

The following parts of the SEC were affected:

• SEC Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• SEC Schedule 11 ‘TS Applicability Tables’

Where can I access the redlining?

The redlined changes 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?

Further information can be found on the MP201 page of our website. If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

SEC version 57.0 came into effect on 24 February 2022 to implement the February 2022 SEC Release. This included five Modification Proposals.

Summary of changes

MP116 ‘Service Request Forecasting’ removes the obligation on DCC Users to submit their quarterly Service Request forecasts in the previous format and the DCC will now provide a quarterly report based on actual Service Request data.

MP121 ‘Commissioning non-commissioned Devices after CoS’ places an obligation on Suppliers to exchange install codes upon request from other Suppliers via email.

MP173 ‘SMKI & DCCKI Document Set reviews’ implements the findings of the Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) and DCC Key Infrastructure (DCCKI) Document Set review. This includes a large number of relatively minor typographical and cosmetic changes, as well as improving alignment between SEC documents and other industry standards.

MP179 ‘DCC Boxed’ makes the necessary changes to the SEC to allow DCC Boxed to be provided through an Explicit Charge to those Parties that wish to purchase it.

MP196 ‘Further IVP Extension for pre-SMETS2 v4.2 Devices’ extends the Installation Validity Period (IVP) end-date for any pre-Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS) 2 v4.2 Devices by 12 months from its previous date of 27 April 2022 to 27 April 2023.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• Section G ‘Security’
• Section H ‘DCC Services’
• Section K ‘Charging Methodology’
• Schedule 7 ‘Specimen Enabling Services Agreement’
• Schedule 11 ‘TS Applicability Tables’
• Appendix A ‘Device Certificate Policy’
• Appendix B ‘Organisation Certificate Policy’
• Appendix C ‘SMKI Compliance Policy’
• Appendix D ‘SMKI Registration Authority Policies and Procedures’
• Appendix J ‘Enduring Testing Approach Document’
• Appendix K ‘SMKI and Repository Test Scenarios Document’
• Appendix L ‘SMKI Recovery Procedure’
• Appendix M ‘SMKI Interface Design Specification’
• Appendix N ‘SMKI Code of Connection’
• Appendix O ‘SMKI Repository Interface Design Specification’
• Appendix P ‘SMKI Repository Code of Connection’
• Appendix Q ‘IKI Certificate Policy’
• Appendix S ‘DCCKI Certificate Policy’
• Appendix T ‘DCCKI Interface Design Specification’
• Appendix U ‘DCCKI Repository Interface Design Specification’
• Appendix V ‘DCCKI CoCo and DCCKI Repository CoCo’
• Appendix W ‘DCCKI Registration Authority Policies and Procedures’
• Appendix X ‘Registration Data Interface Specification’
• Appendix AC ‘Inventory Enrolment and Decommissioning Procedures’

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 SEC Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix M, Appendix O and Appendix Q can be found 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.

An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 11 November 2021 to implement MP128B ‘Incorrect Gas Network Operator Certificates’.

MP128B has amended the Post Commissioning obligations so that Suppliers can leave the Access Control Broker (ACB) Certificate in the Gas Network Operator (GNO) slot of a Gas Proxy Function (GPF) if there is no unrevoked GNO Certificate available in the Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) Repository. It is now also optional instead of mandatory for GNOs to become Subscribers for SMKI Organisation Certificates.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

The following parts of the SEC were affected:

• SEC Section B ‘Accession’
• SEC Appendix AC ‘Inventory, Enrolment and Decommissioning Procedures’

Where can I access the redlining?

The redlined changes 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?

Further information can be found on the MP128B page of our website. If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

SEC version 50.0 came into effect on 4 November 2021 to implement the November 2021 SEC Release. This includes 10 Modification Proposals as well as the designation/re-designation of SEC Subsidiary Documents by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

What modifications were implemented?

Modification	Status
SECMP0007 'Firmware updates to IHDs and PPMIDs'	Implemented
MP077 'DCC Service Flagging'	Implemented
MP090 'Incorporation of Non GBCS Non-Mandated Alerts into the SEC'	Implemented
MP105 'Sending SR11.2 to Devices in Suspended State'	Implemented
MP138 'DCC Service Testing in ETAD'	Implemented
MP150 'Removing Table 28c from the GBCS'	Implemented
MP157 'Removal of DUIS v1.1 and v2.0'	Implemented
MP158 'Incorporation of multiple Issue Resolution Proposals into the SEC – Batch 5'	Implemented
MP164 'November 2021 SEC Release supporting changes'	Implemented
MP180 'Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement Implementation'	Implemented

BEIS designation of CRP613 and CRP649 into the GB Companion Specification v4.1

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has incorporated the following Change Resolution Proposals (CRPs) into the GB Companion Specification (GBCS) v4.1, which was itself introduced into the Smart Energy Code (SEC) in the November 2021 SEC Release:

• CRP613 ‘CRP535 clarification for binding on rejoin’
• CRP649 ‘Halve Joining window to resolve N25 alert issue’

This follows on from the 13 September 2021 BEIS response to the 9 August consultation on changes to the GBCS to address operational issues associated with re-joining Gas Smart Metering Equipment (GSME).

The Letter, Direction and Appendix document supporting this can be accessed here.

BEIS designation to support the DCC SMETS1 service

An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 4 November 2021 to implement modifications to SEC Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’ (SMETS1 TMAD) and SEC Appendix AM ‘SMETS1 Supporting Requirements’ (S1SR) made by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) in support of the Data Communications Company’s (DCC’s) code change to support Final Operating Capability (FOC) migrations. This is referred to as Uplift 2.2.

The BEIS designation letter and accompanying annexes which include the redlining can be found here.

This letter constitutes the Government’s response to consultations undertaken by the DCC on behalf of BEIS and a direction to re-designate the SMETS1 TMAD and SMETS1 S1SR.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

SEC document	Available on CodeWorks	SEC Modification	BEIS Designation
Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’	Yes	Yes	No
Section C ‘Governance’	Yes	Yes	No
Section H ‘DCC Services’	Yes	Yes	No
Section K ‘Charging Methodology’	Yes	Yes	No
Schedule 7 ‘Specimen Enabling Services Agreement’	Yes	Yes	No
Schedule 8 ‘GB Companion Specification’	No	Yes	Yes
Schedule 9 ‘Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications’	No	Yes	No
Schedule 10 ‘Communications Hub Technical Specifications’	No	Yes	No
Schedule 11 ‘TS Applicability Tables’	Yes	Yes	No
Appendix E ‘DCC User Interface Services Schedule’	Yes	Yes	No
Appendix J ‘Enduring Testing Approach Document’	Yes	Yes	No
Appendix X ‘Registration Data Interface Specification’	Yes	Yes	No
Appendix AB ‘Service Request Processing Document’	Yes	Yes	No
Appendix AD ‘DCC User Interface Specification’	No	Yes	No
Appendix AF ‘Message Mapping Catalogue’	No	Yes	No
SEC Appendix AL 'SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document'	No	No	Yes
SEC Appendix AM 'SMETS1 Supporting Requirements'	No	No	Yes

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

Full marked-up versions of the SEC Technical Specifications for this release, including commentary identifying whether the changes were made by the BEIS-led changes or by SEC Modifications, can be found on the November 2021 SEC Release page.

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.

On 1 October 2021, the Authority decided to approve MP134A ‘Use of SMKI Certificates relating to a SoLR event’. An updated version of the SEC came into effect on 4 October 2021 to implement MP134A.

The Authority Decision letter can be found on the MP134A page of our website.

What is the solution?

In a Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) event, MP134A enables the Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) Policy Management Authority (PMA) to delay the revocation of the SMKI Certificates. This would allow a Shared Resource provider (SRP) to put prepayment customers into a ‘safe mode’ where they will not lose supply if they run out of credit.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

The following parts of the SEC were affected:

• SEC Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• SEC Section L ‘Smart Metering Key Infrastructure and DCC Key Infrastructure’
• SEC Section M ‘General’
• SEC Appendix B ‘ Organisation Certificate Policy’
• SEC Appendix Q ‘IKI Certificate Policy’
• SEC Appendix S ‘DCCKI Certificate Policy’

Where can I access the redlining?

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

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

The redlining for Appendix B and Appendix Q 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?

Further information can be found on the MP134A page of our website. 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 1 September 2021 to implement MP161 ‘Significant Code Review – Retail Code Consolidation’.

This is an Authority-Led Variation raised as part of the Significant Code Review (SCR) for Retail Code Consolidation.

This modification amends a number of refences to other Energy Codes alongside the SCR to ensure consistency between all the impacted Codes.

Additionally, it will introduce a new framework for progressing cross-Code modifications. The amendments will require the SEC Panel to nominate representatives to a new Cross Code Steering Group who will help coordinate and progress cross-Code issues. It also sets out the concept of Lead Codes and Consequential Changes and allows the Panel to appeal decisions on such changes to the Authority where appropriate. The intent is to ensure better coordination of cross-Code issues and the progression of related changes as a suite rather than piecemeal and staggered change.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

The following part of the SEC was affected:

• Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• Section B ‘Accession’
• Section D ‘Modification Process’
• Section E ‘Registration Data’
• Section K ‘Charging Methodology’
• Schedule 5 ‘Accession Information’
• Appendix X ‘Registration Data Interface Specification’
• Appendix Y ‘Registration Data Interface Code of Connection’

Where can I access the redlining?

The redlined changes to this Schedule 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?

Further information can be found on the MP161 page of our website. If you have any questions, you can call the SECAS Helpdesk at 020 7090 7755 or email sec.change@gemserv.com.

SEC version 40.0 came into effect on 24 June 2021 to implement the June 2021 SEC Release. This included five Modification Proposals:

• MP106 ‘CHIMSM update for Unknown WAN Variant’
• MP144 ‘Charging of Random Sample Privacy Assessments’
• MP146 ‘SM WAN Coverage Date’
• MP147 ‘SMKI Full Extract’
• MP153 ‘Follow up changes for Communications Hub Finance Charges’

Summary of changes

MP106 will insert guidance in SEC Appendix I ‘CH Installation and Maintenance Support Materials’ showing that a response to Service Request 12.1 ‘Request WAN Matrix’ of “ “ (Space) should be interpreted as “Unknown”.

MP144 will amend the charging for Random Sample Privacy assessments so the Other User is charged, rather than it being spread across all DCC Users.

MP146 will remove the date ‘1 January 2021’ from SEC Section H8.16 to futureproof the SEC for Suppliers to continue to provide a service to areas where Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage is yet to be installed.

MP147 will amend the frequency for which the DCC must produce full Smart Metering Key Infrastructure (SMKI) extract, from a daily to a weekly basis.

MP153 will amend Section J1.2(b) so that the DCC only has to provide a separate invoice for Communications Hub Finance Charges if that is what is required under the direct agreement with the Approved Finance Party.

Implementation of the SECMP0007 CTSD legal text

The SEC Appendix R ‘Common Test Scenarios Document’ (CTSD) legal text under SECMP0007 ‘Firmware updates to IHDs and PPMIDs’ has also been implemented.

This follows on from the Authority’s approval to bring the CTSD changes under SECMP0007 forward from the November 2021 SEC Release to the June 2021 SEC Release.

More information including the rationale can be found here.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• Section H ‘DCC Services’
• Section I ‘Data Privacy’
• Section J ‘Charges’
• Appendix I ‘CH Installation and Maintenance Support’
• Appendix O ‘SMKI Repository Interface Design Specification’ (not currently available on CodeWorks)

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 SEC Appendix O, resulting from MP147, can be found 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.

SEC version 34.0 came into effect on 25 February 2021 to implement the February 2021 SEC Release. This included two Modification Proposals:

• MP092 ‘New Planned Maintenance methodology’
• MP122A ‘Operational Metrics’

Summary of changes

MP092 will incorporate the DCC’s new approach for the delivery of Planned Maintenance, which uses a risk-based methodology to categorise planned changes as either Low Impact or High Impact.

MP122A will facilitate the changes to the DCC Technical Operations Centre (TOC) and DCC operational processes in order to report on several new and improved metrics recommended in the Operational Metrics Review (OMR), commissioned by the Operations Group. The enhanced reporting will not commence until May 2021, with reporting looking at data from April 2021.

What parts of the SEC were affected?

• Section A ‘Definitions and Interpretation’
• Section H ‘DCC Services’
• Appendix AL ‘SMETS1 Transition and Migration Approach Document’ (not currently available on CodeWorks)

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 SEC Appendix AL, resulting from MP092, can be found 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.