Ofgem issues licences to electricity and gas supply companies which include social obligations designed to protect domestic customers who may be vulnerable, for example, due to age, income or disability.
Suppliers are required to set out information on the additional help and services that they must provide to certain customers. For example, giving help to customers who are having problems paying their energy bills.
These obligations cover areas where there is a clear need for consumer protection, over and above that provided by the market itself and general consumer protection legislation or competition law.
More information on suppliers’ regulatory obligations can be found under the relevant link on the left hand navigation bar.
Copies of the supply licences are available on the Electronic Public Register (EPR) - link opens in a new browser window.
Suppliers are encouraged to consider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to assist vulnerable customers. More information on CSR initiatives can be found on this website.
Suppliers report to Ofgem on their social obligations and more information on this can be found on the Monitoring and reporting pages.