REC Data Specification Clarifications
Summary
This issue has been raised to improve the clarity of elements of the Energy Market Data Specification (EMDS) that are ambiguous due to information from the pre-REC Data Transfer Catalogue (DTC) Annex C and gas RGMA Annex B being omitted in the transition to REC.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
07/04/2026 - the REC Change Panel voted to approve this Change Proposal for implementation on 06 November 2026. The appeal window has closed.
Impacts Overview
Priority and rationale
Standard
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
There may be a lack of clarity for Parties populating Market Messages / Data Flows as not all of the additional rules, conditions and examples from Annex B and Annex C transitioned into the REC (or to another industry code).
Workgroup
Has a Workgroup supported the development of the Change Proposal?
No
Change Plan
Change Report (Proposal Plan) approved by Change Panel
Completed
Start:
Due:
Completion:
19 Aug 2025Original submission
Change details
- - -
15 Jul 2025
Change details
REC Data Specification Clarifications
This issue has been raised to improve the clarity of elements of the REC Data Specification that are ambiguous and to add in information from the pre-REC Data Transfer Catalogue (DTC) Annex C and gas RGMA Annex B that were omitted in the transition to REC.
There is a risk that lack of clarity in the Data Specification could make it more difficult than it need be for data specification users to understand the REC data specification. Secondly, rules and information not transferred into the present REC Data Specification from the DTC and RGMA data specifications could cause confusion for parties, especially new entrants. This could result in Market Messages being sent that do not correctly reflect the rules of the Data Specification. This in turn may result in Market Message rejections, which may in turn have impacts for Consumers and other Market Participants.
It is proposed that the following amendments be made:
1) Add information from the pre-REC DTC Annex C document that was missed in the transition to REC
2) Add information from the pre-REC RGMA Annex B document that was missed in the transition to REC
3) Update MM40006 (Final Debt Details Flow) to include the DAP Response Code Group which was missed in the transition to REC
4) Remove references to the pre-REC MAP process in the J1660 data item notes
5) Correct the Item Descriptions in the DI90002 and DI90031as they refer to a section number, but do not state which document is being referenced
6) Correct instances where Market Message conditions and rules were incorrectly cut off as they exceeded a 225 character limit that was in place when the initial REC data specification was loaded
7) Correct errors that are occurring as a result of unsupported characters being present in word processors when applying data into SQL, presenting as erroneous characters, such as:
a. use of – in the title of MM70040 (Smart PP CoS – No Communications Notification (Elec))
b. '’ when a single apostrophe is used
c. %EOL%
d. ‘-’
e. Where ‘>’ is encoded for use in the database, this presents as >.1 in line digital navigator (website) version.
8) Update the REC Data Specification to make it easier for users to identify and filter by data items and flows based on fuel type by labelling each as gas, electricity or dual fuel
9) Add clarity on which flows permit use of the following symbols: @ _ [ ]
10) D0150 – Data Item rules reference ‘NHH Meter Technical Details message’, this should refer to ‘Traditional Meter Technical Details message’
11) Correct duplicated entries present within database (D0150/D0089/ D0269)
12) Correct references to definition of Market Role SFIC in MM00016 and MM00023, it should be “Supply Fault Information Centre” not “System Fault Information Centre”.
It is recommended that as part of the issue progression, how each of the above items is taken forward be considered. For example, there may be value in splitting the electricity and gas items and progressing them as sperate CPs.
1) Add information from the pre-REC DTC Annex C document that was missed in the transition to REC
2) Add information from the pre-REC RGMA Annex B document that was missed in the transition to REC
3) Update MM40006 (Final Debt Details Flow) to include the DAP Response Code Group which was missed in the transition to REC
4) Remove references to the pre-REC MAP process in the J1660 data item notes
5) Correct the Item Descriptions in the DI90002 and DI90031as they refer to a section number, but do not state which document is being referenced
6) Correct instances where Market Message conditions and rules were incorrectly cut off as they exceeded a 225 character limit that was in place when the initial REC data specification was loaded
7) Correct errors that are occurring as a result of unsupported characters being present in word processors when applying data into SQL, presenting as erroneous characters, such as:
a. use of – in the title of MM70040 (Smart PP CoS – No Communications Notification (Elec))
b. '’ when a single apostrophe is used
c. %EOL%
d. ‘-’
e. Where ‘>’ is encoded for use in the database, this presents as >.1 in line digital navigator (website) version.
8) Update the REC Data Specification to make it easier for users to identify and filter by data items and flows based on fuel type by labelling each as gas, electricity or dual fuel
9) Add clarity on which flows permit use of the following symbols: @ _ [ ]
10) D0150 – Data Item rules reference ‘NHH Meter Technical Details message’, this should refer to ‘Traditional Meter Technical Details message’
11) Correct duplicated entries present within database (D0150/D0089/ D0269)
12) Correct references to definition of Market Role SFIC in MM00016 and MM00023, it should be “Supply Fault Information Centre” not “System Fault Information Centre”.
It is recommended that as part of the issue progression, how each of the above items is taken forward be considered. For example, there may be value in splitting the electricity and gas items and progressing them as sperate CPs.
It is noted that some of the corrections may impact non-REC Owned data specification items. As part of the progression activities, liaison with Xoserve and the BSC will needed for these items. Also, the correction to the D0150 data item rules cannot be progressed until after MHHS go live (September 2025), this has been added to the post M8 HK log.
Impacts
No details provided
Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
The risk of Consumers being negatively impacted by failures in industry data flows will be reduced
No details provided
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No details provided
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Data Item Catalogue, Market Message Catalogue, Standards Definition
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No details provided
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No details provided
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No details provided
No new requirements are being introduced, so parties should not be impacted. However, there is a risk that due to lack of clarity in the data specification, systems have been built with incorrect market message rules. As such, impact assessment is needed to confirm impacts.
No details provided
Liaison will be needed with other codes to progress clarifications to data items and market messages that are not REC owned.
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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 Awaiting Implementation.
Implementation Date has been updated to 06 Nov 2026.
Status has been changed to Issue Conclusion.
Status has been changed to Solution Development.
Status has been changed to Issue Review.