Erroneous Transfer Cancellations
Summary
Erroneous Switches (ESs) are currently being cancelled without a defined process or full audit trail. This Change Proposal seeks to introduce a defined process for Energy Suppliers to be able to cancel an ES in specific scenarios.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
30/06/2023 - This change was implemented on 30 June 2023 as part of the June 2023 REC Release
Impacts Overview
Impacted Consumers
Electricity
Gas
Domestic
Non-Domestic
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier
Impacted REC Documents
Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions
Schedule 30 - Resolution of Consumer Facing Switching and Billing Issues
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
Erroneous Transfers are being cancelled by Suppliers, which is currently not permitted under the REC. There is no consistent defined process or audit trail. In the event of a Supplier of Last Resort (SoLR) being appointed, or on a Change of Occupier at a premise, the Gaining Supplier currently has no way to formally cancel an ET after it has been initiated. This can cause Switching and/or Billing delays for Consumers whilst Energy Suppliers attempt to resolve an outstanding or open ET. For Energy Suppliers this can mean they are supplying Consumers with whom they have no Valid Contract, resulting in additional Guaranteed Standards of Performance (GSOP) Payments and increased Consumer dissatisfaction. The Performance Assurance Board (PAB) has no way to identify the difference between the process legitimately closing without resolution, and an Energy Supplier not meeting their obligations in the code to properly resolve an ET. As a result, the PAB are unable to differentiate the performance of Energy Suppliers between those that are closed down legitimately or those being closed inappropriately.
Proposed solution summary
- As a Consumer I want to receive my bills when expected, from the Supplier of my choice without delays caused by being switched incorrectly and not being resolved in a timely manner. As a Consumer, in the event that my Supplier has exited the market and my supply cannot be returned to my original Supplier, I want the Gaining ET Supplier to have the ability to terminate any ET process that has already been initiated so that I am able to choose my preferred Supplier and switch without delay or penalty.
- As a Consumer, if Energy Suppliers need to share my data to resolve a switching issue, I want Suppliers to share my personal data securely so that my data is protected.
- As an Energy Supplier, where appropriate, I need to be able to cancel an ET effectively and efficiently, so that I can bill my Consumers accurately and timely. As an Energy Supplier, where appropriate, I need to be able to cancel an ET so that I supply Consumers with whom I have a valid contract.
- As The Code Manager I need to be able to identify when an ET has been cancelled so that I have a clear audit trail and can monitor performance effectively.
No documents available.
Change Plan
Solution Development
Completed
Start:
13 Jan 2022Due:
22 Apr 2022Completion:
22 Apr 2022Party Impact Assessment Issued
Completed
Start:
22 Apr 2022Due:
06 May 2022Completion:
06 May 2022Preliminary Change Report Issued
Completed
Start:
06 May 2022Due:
08 Jul 2022Completion:
08 Jul 2022Responsible Committee Review
Completed
Start:
08 Jul 2022Due:
19 Jul 2022Completion:
19 Jul 2022Consultation Issued
Completed
Start:
19 Jul 2022Due:
05 Aug 2022Completion:
05 Aug 2022Original submission
Change details
Lorna Mallon - Scottish Power
13 Jan 2022
Change details
Erroneous Transfer Cancellations
Suppliers cancel an Erroneous Transfer (ET) in specific scenarios such as when a Change of Tenancy takes place, or a Supplier of Last Resort is appointed whilst an ET is in progress.
Erroneous Transfers are currently cancelled without a defined process or full audit trail.
Erroneous Transfers are currently cancelled without a defined process or full audit trail.
Where there is a valid reason for the cancellation of an Erroneous Transfer (SOLR or Change of Tenancy) they are currently being cancelled without a defined process and full audit trail.
Without cancelling the ET in these scenarios, a Consumer is supplied by the gaining Supplier, who they did not agree a contract with.
In the event of a SoLR where the Losing Supplier exits the Market, the losing Supplier is no longer licenced to Re-register the consumer.
Without cancelling the ET in these scenarios, a Consumer is supplied by the gaining Supplier, who they did not agree a contract with.
In the event of a SoLR where the Losing Supplier exits the Market, the losing Supplier is no longer licenced to Re-register the consumer.
Suppliers should be able to formally cancel an ET via a secure method and be able to specify the reason an ET has been cancelled. There should be defined Billing Arrangements within the CFSB Schedule to for these scenarios to provide clarity for Suppliers and Consumers.
The method for cancelling an ET, could be achieved by adding additional details to the ET related Market Messages and Data Items, RET (B030) and D301 (J1672). This would allow Suppliers to communicate securely that an ET has been cancelled and allow the Performance Assurance Board (PAB) to monitor performance going forward.
In addition, the comments field within the Market Messages could provide the reason for an ET cancellation (SoLR/CoT) or it could be defined within existing Data Item by adding additional Enumeration values and descriptions.
The method for cancelling an ET, could be achieved by adding additional details to the ET related Market Messages and Data Items, RET (B030) and D301 (J1672). This would allow Suppliers to communicate securely that an ET has been cancelled and allow the Performance Assurance Board (PAB) to monitor performance going forward.
In addition, the comments field within the Market Messages could provide the reason for an ET cancellation (SoLR/CoT) or it could be defined within existing Data Item by adding additional Enumeration values and descriptions.
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Impacts
Electricity, Gas, Domestic Prepayment, Domestic Credit, Microbusiness, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Industrial and Commercial (I&C)
Switching experience, Billing accuracy, Trust and confidence, Ability to pay
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Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions, Schedule 30 - Resolution of Consumer Facing Switching and Billing Issues
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No details provided
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No details provided
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Data Item Catalogue, Market Message Catalogue
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No details provided
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No details provided
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Energy Suppliers
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No details provided
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No
No details provided
Priority & timing
No
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No details provided
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