Provision of Enduring Test Environments
Summary
Currently the REC does not require the Central Switching Service (CSS) and Switching Operator (SO) to provide the enduring test environments and test data for use by REC Parties when making necessary system changes for REC Change Proposals or internal system updates. This Change Proposal has been raised to introduce these obligations in to the REC.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
28/06/2024 - Change implemented as part of the June 2024 REC Release
Impacts Overview
Impacted Consumers
Electricity
Gas
Domestic
Non-Domestic
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Energy Supplier
DCC
Impacted REC Documents
REC Main Body
Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions
Schedule 5 - Change Management
Schedule 25 - Central Switching Service
Schedule 26 - Switching Service Management
Impacted REC Services
Central Switching Service (CSS)
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
For specific types of changes, industry system testing will be required to ensure the end-to-end Switching processes will work as expected following implementation. If Test Environments and Test Data are not available, CSS Users will not be able to complete testing to confirm their systems will operate correctly in the live environment. The REC currently doesn’t define specific obligations on Service Providers regarding enduring test systems and Test Data for Switching processes. The lack of specific obligations may impact the availability of appropriate Test Environments. This could impact the progression of improvements to Switching processes that require a technical change.
Proposed solution summary
- As a CSS User I want access to a CSS Test Environment, to enable me to test my systems and processes ahead of the implementation of complex or significant changes, so that I can identify any issues prior to go-live.
- As the SO, I want clarity on the obligations placed on me regarding the provision and maintenance of CSS Test Environments and data, so that I can meet my obligations and provide CSS Users and Service Providers with access to appropriate Test Environments.
- As a Switching Data Service Provider (SDSP), I want clarity on the obligations placed on me regarding the provision and maintenance of Test Environments and data, so that I can meet my obligations to test CSS changes. As a Switching Data Service Provider (SDSP), I want access to a CSS Test Environment, to enable me to test my systems and processes ahead of the implementation of complex or significant changes, so that I can identify any issues and address prior to go-live.
No documents available.
Change Plan
Solution Analysis and Development
Completed
Start:
09 Sep 2022Due:
06 Jun 2023Completion:
06 Jun 2023Service Provider Impact Assessment Period
Completed
Start:
06 Jun 2023Due:
06 Oct 2023Completion:
06 Oct 2023Service Provider Impact Assessment
Completed
Start:
24 Nov 2023Due:
03 Jan 2024Completion:
03 Jan 2024Party Impact Assessment Issued
Completed
Start:
06 Oct 2023Due:
24 Nov 2023Completion:
24 Nov 2023Preliminary Change Report Issued
Completed
Start:
03 Jan 2024Due:
16 Jan 2024Completion:
16 Jan 2024Responsible Committee Review
Completed
Start:
16 Jan 2024Due:
23 Jan 2024Completion:
23 Jan 2024Consultation Issued
Completed
Start:
23 Jan 2024Due:
26 Jan 2024Completion:
26 Jan 2024Final Change Report Issued
Completed
Start:
26 Jan 2024Due:
23 Feb 2024Completion:
23 Feb 2024Responsible Committee Decision
Completed
Start:
23 Feb 2024Due:
05 Mar 2024Completion:
05 Mar 2024Original submission
Change details
Ann Perry - -
9 Sep 2022
Change details
Provision of Enduring Test Environments
Currently the REC does not require the Central Switching Service (CSS) and Switching Operator (SO) to provide the enduring test environments and test data for use by REC Parties when making necessary system changes for REC Change Proposals or internal system updates.
For specific type of changes, industry system testing will be required to ensure the end-to-end Switching processes will work as expected following implementation. If test environments and test data are not available, parties will not be able to complete testing to confirm their systems will operate correctly in the live environment.
Changes to be made to REC documentation, to ensure this clearly describes the responsibilities on the CSS, the SO and on REC Parties with regards to enduring provision and use of test environments and test data.
Test environments and test data were available for the launch of the CSS arrangements (REC V3.0), these should continue to be provided in the enduring arrangements.
Impacts
Electricity, Gas, Domestic Prepayment, Domestic Credit, Microbusiness, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), Industrial and Commercial (I&C)
Switching experience
-
REC Main Body, Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions, Schedule 5 - Change Management, Schedule 25 - Central Switching Service, Schedule 26 - Switching Service Management
-
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
No details provided
-
No details provided
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Central Switching Service (CSS), Switching Operator
-
Energy Suppliers, DCC
-
No details provided
-
No
No details provided
Priority & timing
No
The provisions for test environments and test data should be in place for switching programme exit in October 2022.
See above
No
No details provided
-
Activity
Proposed solution summary changed to As a CSS User I want access to a CSS Test Environment, to enable me to test my systems and processes ahead of the implementation of complex or significant changes, so that I can identify any issues prior to go-li…
Proposed solution summary changed to As a CSS User I want access to a CSS Test Environment, to enable me to test my systems and processes ahead of the implementation of complex or significant changes, so that I can identify any issues prior to go-live.As the SO, I want clarity on the obligations placed on me regarding the provision and maintenance of CSS Test Environments and data, so that I can meet my obligations and provide CSS Users and Service Providers with access to appropriate Test Environments.As a Switching Data Service Provider (SDSP), I want clarity on the obligations placed on me regarding the provision and maintenance of Test Environments and data, so that I can meet my obligations to test CSS changes. As a Switching Data Service Provider (SDSP), I want access to a CSS Test Environment, to enable me to test my systems and processes ahead of the implementation of complex or significant changes, so that I can identify any issues and address prior to go-live..
Show moreImplementation Date has been updated to 28 Jun 2024.
james.hardy has been allocated as Lead Analyst.
beth.brown has been allocated as SME.