Decision on Guidance for Third Party Intermediary Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme criteria
Decision
Publication date
Industry sector
Supply and Retail Market
Licence type
- Electricity Supply Licence
- Gas Supplier Licence
In December 2022 new licence conditions took effect requiring energy suppliers agreeing microbusiness contracts through Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs), or brokers, to only work with TPIs that were signed up to a dispute resolution Scheme that is fair, transparent, effective and independent – we refer to this as a suitable Qualifying Dispute Settlement Scheme (QDSS). The relevant supply licence condition is Standard Supply Licence Condition 20.5 in the electricity licence and 20.6 in the gas supply licence .
We do not have formal powers to certify QDSS. However, to clarify what we believe to be a suitable scheme, we consulted on 13 February 2023 on the production of clarification guidance. We received 7 responses of which we have published the 6 non-confidential responses with the consultation. In our decision document we set out the key comments suggested by those responding and clarify the changes made. We have also published the finalised guidance criteria.