Smart Meter Installation Surveys - Microbusiness requirements
Summary
There is no requirement for energy suppliers planning fewer than 5000 Smart meter installations at domestic premises, within a calendar year, to survey Consumers for REC compliance purposes. Conversely, there is no minimum threshold in place for microbusiness installations, meaning that non-domestic suppliers are required to procure a suitably qualified, independent Smart Meter Installation Survey Organisation, at considerable cost, to survey what might be a very small number of customers.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
This Change Proposal has been implemented as part of the June 2026 REC Release.
Impacts Overview
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
Non-Domestic Energy Suppliers are having to procure an independent Smart Meter Installation Survey Organisation, at considerable cost, to survey what might be a very small number of Consumers to be compliant with their REC obligations.
No documents available.
Change Plan
Change Report (Proposal Plan) approved by Change Panel
Completed
Start:
Due:
Completion:
19 Aug 2025Original submission
Change details
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22 Jul 2025
Change details
Smart Meter Installation Surveys - Microbusiness requirements
There is no requirement for energy suppliers planning fewer than 5000 Smart meter installations at domestic premises, within a calendar year, to survey consumers for REC compliance purposes. Conversely, there is no minimum threshold in place for microbusiness installations, meaning that non-domestic suppliers are required to procure a suitably qualified, independent Smart Meter Installation Survey Organisation, at considerable cost, to survey what might be a very small number of customers.
This misalignment impacts non-domestic suppliers supplying predominantly I&C customers, who are required to procure an independent party for a very small number of installs. This incurs a considerable cost, which is ultimately passed on to customers. This is compounded by the requirement for the organisation to adhere to the Market Research Society Code of Conduct, which makes it less likely that a third-party already employed by the supplier can carry out the surveys as an additional task.
We believe an appropriate threshold should be put in place so that suppliers installing very small numbers of Smart meters at microbusiness premises are not required to provide survey data for customers.
Not all customers will respond to surveys, which means that the data sample from suppliers installing very small numbers of meters is unlikely to be useful or meaningful.
The survey requirements have been in place since the start of the Smart rollout and are based on install rates at that time. We believe they should be reviewed and updated to reflect the current status of the rollout.
The survey requirements have been in place since the start of the Smart rollout and are based on install rates at that time. We believe they should be reviewed and updated to reflect the current status of the rollout.
Impacts
No details provided
Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
Cost avoidance, as the cost of procuring an independent survey organisation, and associated administration, will ultimately be passed on to customers.
No details provided
Clause 20.8 REC Consolidated Metering Code of Practice
Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP)
Clause 20.8
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Energy Suppliers
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No details provided
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No details provided
Priority & timing
No
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No details provided
Other (please provide details in the Additional information box below)
Activity
Status has been changed to Implemented.
Implementation Date has been updated to 26 Jun 2026.
Status has been changed to Issue Review.
amoden has been allocated as SME.