Introduction of Consumer Consent Solution
Summary
This initiative will support the transformation of how energy is managed and consumed by giving consumers control over their energy (gas, electricity, heat, or other) data, enabling innovation through third-party services, and advancing sustainability goals. This REC Issue is being raised to promote visibility and awareness of opportunities for engagement, in advance of the CCS Change Proposal being progressed.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
22/04/2026 - The Change Report (Proposal Plan) was approved by Change Panel on 21/04/2026.
Impacts Overview
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier
Third Party Intermediary
Other
Impacted REC Documents
REC Main Body
Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions
Schedule 9 - Qualification and Maintenance
Schedule 10 - Charging Methodology
Other Industry Codes impacted
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC)
Smart Energy Code (SEC)
Priority and rationale
High
Priority last updated on 17 Sep 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
A new set of arrangements for a Consumer Consent Solution (CCS) is currently being developed under the RECCo CCS project. The new arrangements will need to be implemented within the REC so that they can be governed under the REC on an enduring basis.
No documents available.
There is currently no Change Plan.
Original submission
Change details
- - -
26 Feb 2026
Change details
Introduction of Consumer Consent Solution
Ofgem has selected RECCo as the delivery body responsible for developing a Consumer Consent Solution (CCS) that empowers consumers to control the value generated by their energy data. Consumer consent is key to a more transparent, efficient, and consumer-centric energy market. This initiative will support the transformation of how energy is managed and consumed by giving consumers control over their energy (gas, electricity, heat, or other) data, enabling innovation through third-party services, and advancing sustainability goals.
Delivery of the CCS is being managed through a bespoke RECCo project covering the procurement of technical service providers; design, build and test of the CCS; and definition of the governance framework and associated REC drafting.
The CCS provisions will be introduced into the REC via standard REC change governance. This REC Issue is being raised to promote visibility and awareness of opportunities for engagement, in advance of the CCS Change Proposal being progressed.
Delivery of the CCS is being managed through a bespoke RECCo project covering the procurement of technical service providers; design, build and test of the CCS; and definition of the governance framework and associated REC drafting.
The CCS provisions will be introduced into the REC via standard REC change governance. This REC Issue is being raised to promote visibility and awareness of opportunities for engagement, in advance of the CCS Change Proposal being progressed.
This REC Issue and the associated Change Proposal will ensure that the appropriate obligations, processes and provisions are defined within the REC, enabling a successful delivery of enduring CCS governance and operational arrangements.
In February 2026, Ofgem published its final impact assessment which explains that several projects and analyses of the energy sector have identified the lack of a single, standardised process for obtaining and managing consumer consent as a major blocker for access to smart meter data with the following issues identified:
• Reduced visibility of demand on the network which hampers planning and effective balancing of markets.
• This reduced visibility further hampers forecasting, necessitating more assumptions; in turn reducing accuracy, and requiring greater redundancy in increased generation cost.
• Fewer positive consumer outcomes through tailored offerings from industry, and less consumer value available through use of data.
• Challenges in the customer journey through increased complexity, friction, and repetition, leading to lower consumer engagement.
Ofgem explained that the requirement to reach clean power by 2030 (CP30) is planned to rely on 10 - 12GW of consumer-led flexibility in the energy system. There is therefore a clear need for a reliable and scalable consumer consent mechanism and scalable access to smart meter data to support the requisite growth in consumer-led flexibility.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-01/Consumer Consent Solution impact assessment %28final%29.pdf
In February 2026, Ofgem published its final impact assessment which explains that several projects and analyses of the energy sector have identified the lack of a single, standardised process for obtaining and managing consumer consent as a major blocker for access to smart meter data with the following issues identified:
• Reduced visibility of demand on the network which hampers planning and effective balancing of markets.
• This reduced visibility further hampers forecasting, necessitating more assumptions; in turn reducing accuracy, and requiring greater redundancy in increased generation cost.
• Fewer positive consumer outcomes through tailored offerings from industry, and less consumer value available through use of data.
• Challenges in the customer journey through increased complexity, friction, and repetition, leading to lower consumer engagement.
Ofgem explained that the requirement to reach clean power by 2030 (CP30) is planned to rely on 10 - 12GW of consumer-led flexibility in the energy system. There is therefore a clear need for a reliable and scalable consumer consent mechanism and scalable access to smart meter data to support the requisite growth in consumer-led flexibility.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-01/Consumer Consent Solution impact assessment %28final%29.pdf
The solution is being defined through the CCS project and will include:
- the delivery of a technical service for managing consumer consent
- a consumer portal for consumers to view and manage their consents
- a set of Customer Experience Guidelines defining the required user interactions for engaging with consumers
- a governance framework setting out how assurance of the CCS arrangements will work and how issues and disputes will be handled.
An effective solution will be the robust definition of these elements within the REC
- the delivery of a technical service for managing consumer consent
- a consumer portal for consumers to view and manage their consents
- a set of Customer Experience Guidelines defining the required user interactions for engaging with consumers
- a governance framework setting out how assurance of the CCS arrangements will work and how issues and disputes will be handled.
An effective solution will be the robust definition of these elements within the REC
Ofgem issued its Consumer Consent Solution consultation in August 2024, setting out the rationale for introducing a central consent mechanism and its minded to position for RECCo to be the chosen delivery body.
In April 2025, Ofgem published its Consumer Consent Decision confirming RECCo’s role, and defining the core objectives of the solution alongside proposed design principles to support the ongoing development.
Three industry working groups were established to advise RECCo on the design and delivery of the CCS, with the proposed design, governance and user experience frameworks documented within the CCS design consultation issued 11 February 2026
Further information on the CCS project with links to the Ofgem decision document can be found on the CCS Hub within the REC Portal: https://recportal.co.uk/consumer-consent-hub
In April 2025, Ofgem published its Consumer Consent Decision confirming RECCo’s role, and defining the core objectives of the solution alongside proposed design principles to support the ongoing development.
Three industry working groups were established to advise RECCo on the design and delivery of the CCS, with the proposed design, governance and user experience frameworks documented within the CCS design consultation issued 11 February 2026
Further information on the CCS project with links to the Ofgem decision document can be found on the CCS Hub within the REC Portal: https://recportal.co.uk/consumer-consent-hub
Impacts
No details provided
Billing accuracy, Switching experience, Trust and confidence, Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
The CCS will introduce a central mechanism for managing consent and a consumer portal enabling consumers to view and manage existing consents. This will provide increased visibility for consumers regarding the use of their energy data and will empower consumers by providing secure, transparent, and efficient management of their energy data.
REC Main Body, Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions, Schedule 9 - Qualification and Maintenance, Schedule 10 - Charging Methodology
In addition, a new CCS Arrangement Schedule will be introduced
Performance Assurance Report Catalogue
In addition, Customer Experience Guidelines will be introduced as a new Category 2 REC product.
No details provided
In addition, a new CCS Service Definition will be introduced
Data Item Catalogue, Market Message Catalogue, Standards Definition
New Data Items and Market Messages will be defined to reflect the API interactions required to support consent management activities. This may result in changes to the Standards Definition (to be confirmed)
No details provided
In addition, a new CCS API Technical Specification will be introduced
No details provided
A new Consumer Consent Service will be created to deliver the central consent management solution and consumer portal.
Energy Suppliers, Third-Party Intermediary
The change will introduce CCS Users and a CCS Provider. There are no direct impacts on the market roles listed above apart from Energy Suppliers. However, existing REC Parties and Non-Party REC Service Users may choose to become CCS Users. The REC Code Manager will also be impacted by the increased scope of Non-Party REC Service Users.
Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC), Smart Energy Code (SEC)
Impacts to be confirmed.
BSC – the new BSC provisions being introduced via P494 relating to the Smart Data Repository (SDR) will require SDR Users seeking to access consumer personal data to manage consent via the CCS.
SEC – existing SEC Other Users are expected to use the CCS as a standard approach for managing consumer consent. This may require changes to the SEC Privacy Controls Framework.
BSC – the new BSC provisions being introduced via P494 relating to the Smart Data Repository (SDR) will require SDR Users seeking to access consumer personal data to manage consent via the CCS.
SEC – existing SEC Other Users are expected to use the CCS as a standard approach for managing consumer consent. This may require changes to the SEC Privacy Controls Framework.
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No details provided
Priority & timing
No
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No details provided
Billing accuracy, Switching experience, Trust and confidence, Other (please provide details in the Additional information box below)