Establishing the Safe Isolation Provider (SIP) as a Standalone REC Party
Summary
This proposal recommends the formal recognition of the Safe Isolation Provider (SIP) as a standalone Party under the Retail Energy Code (REC). This aligns with the direction set out in Ofgem’s recently published Strategic Direction Statement (SDS), which explicitly calls for the establishment of SIPs as a standalone Party role. The aim is to address the growing scale of unregulated SIP activity, mitigate associated consumer safety risks, and ensure the metering industry is equipped to support the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. By enabling easier access to certified SIPs, this change will enhance consumer protection, accelerate low-carbon technology deployment, and improve operational efficiency across the energy sector.
Latest update and next planned activity
Date of latest update
Latest Update
21/07/2026 - An Update to Plan has been approved by the Change Panel on 21 July 2026.
Impacts Overview
Impacted REC Parties and Market Participants
Distribution Network Operator
Electricity Metering Operative
Meter Operator Agent
Impacted REC Documents
REC Main Body
Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions
Schedule 3 - Accession Agreement
Schedule 6 - Performance Assurance
Schedule 9 - Qualification and Maintenance
Schedule 14 - Metering Operations
Schedule 15 - Metering Accreditation
Other Industry Codes impacted
Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA)
Priority and rationale
High
Priority last updated on 29 May 2026
Solution development
Problem Statement
The current SIP framework poses several risks: - Consumers, MEMs and unaccredited practitioners’ safety. Unaccredited and unregulated isolation work increases the risk of unsafe installations and potential harm to Consumers. NAPIT highlighted to RECCo and DESNZ that 17 and 13 unregulated practitioners respectively died in 2023 and in 2024 due to unsafe isolation. With the right Party undertaking this work, there would also be less safety issues for the Consumer at their premises; - Inequity. Independent Installers face longer wait times compared to supplier-led installations, creating a two-tier system; - Low competitive market. Currently prospective Parties can be put off from applying to be a SIP as it appears they would need full MEM Accreditation which is often too far outside their current business operating model. Providing SIPs with their own pathway and requirements could result in more Parties becoming SIPs and therefore giving Consumers more choice in their provider; and - Decarbonisation delays. The inability to scale SIP capacity undermines the timely deployment of LZCTs, threatening Net Zero targets.
No documents available.
There is currently no Change Plan.
Original submission
Change details
- - -
26 Aug 2025
Change details
Establishing the Safe Isolation Provider (SIP) as a Standalone REC Party
This proposal recommends the formal recognition of the Safe Isolation Provider (SIP) as a standalone Metering Party under the Retail Energy Code (REC). This aligns with the direction set out in Ofgem’s recently published Strategic Direction Statement (SDS), which explicitly calls for the establishment of SIPs as a standalone Party role. The aim is to address the growing scale of unregulated SIP activity, mitigate associated consumer safety risks, and ensure the metering industry is equipped to support the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. By enabling easier access to certified SIPs, this change will enhance consumer protection, accelerate low-carbon technology deployment, and improve operational efficiency across the energy sector.
Industry feedback highlights a significant volume of isolation work occurring outside formal governance. Many individuals performing these tasks possess the necessary technical qualifications but lack the operational structure to become accredited SIPs.
Key indicators of the scale of unregulated activity include:
• Bottlenecks in LZCT deployment due to limited SIP availability.
• Evidence of non-acceded installers conducting isolation work, particularly in the EV and heat pump sectors.
• Delays in fuse upgrades and isolation tasks when independent installers cannot access SIP status.
Efforts to quantify this issue are ongoing, including engagement with other Industry bodies to access central data.
The demand for Safe Isolation Providers (SIPs) is expected to grow substantially over the next decade, driven by the UK’s Net Zero targets and the rapid expansion of low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and EV ChargePoint’s. This growth will place increasing pressure on the availability of qualified SIPs to support safe and timely installations.
Key indicators of future demand include:
• Heat Pump Deployment: The Heat Pump Association projects over 600,000 installations annually by 2028, rising to 1 million per year by 2035. Each installation typically requires safe isolation work.
• Retrofit Complexity: A significant proportion of installations will occur in existing housing stock, where electrical upgrades and isolations are more complex and frequent.
• Workforce Gap: Current SIP capacity is insufficient to meet projected demand. Based on modelling from 7th Carbon and industry feedback, SIP demand could increase fivefold by 2030.
• Policy Drivers: The Future Homes and Buildings Standard (2025) and other decarbonisation policies will accelerate the rollout of LZCTs, further increasing the need for regulated SIPs.
• Installer Access: Independent installers and SMEs will require direct access to SIP status to meet consumer demand and avoid delays caused by reliance on supplier-led models.
Without reform, the current SIP framework risks becoming a bottleneck in the UK’s energy transition. Establishing SIPs as a standalone REC Metering Party will help ensure the industry is equipped to meet this growing demand safely and efficiently.
Industry feedback highlights a significant volume of isolation work occurring outside formal governance. Many individuals performing these tasks possess the necessary technical qualifications but lack the operational structure to become accredited SIPs.
Key indicators of the scale of unregulated activity include:
• Bottlenecks in LZCT deployment due to limited SIP availability.
• Evidence of non-acceded installers conducting isolation work, particularly in the EV and heat pump sectors.
• Delays in fuse upgrades and isolation tasks when independent installers cannot access SIP status.
Efforts to quantify this issue are ongoing, including engagement with other Industry bodies to access central data.
The demand for Safe Isolation Providers (SIPs) is expected to grow substantially over the next decade, driven by the UK’s Net Zero targets and the rapid expansion of low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and EV ChargePoint’s. This growth will place increasing pressure on the availability of qualified SIPs to support safe and timely installations.
Key indicators of future demand include:
• Heat Pump Deployment: The Heat Pump Association projects over 600,000 installations annually by 2028, rising to 1 million per year by 2035. Each installation typically requires safe isolation work.
• Retrofit Complexity: A significant proportion of installations will occur in existing housing stock, where electrical upgrades and isolations are more complex and frequent.
• Workforce Gap: Current SIP capacity is insufficient to meet projected demand. Based on modelling from 7th Carbon and industry feedback, SIP demand could increase fivefold by 2030.
• Policy Drivers: The Future Homes and Buildings Standard (2025) and other decarbonisation policies will accelerate the rollout of LZCTs, further increasing the need for regulated SIPs.
• Installer Access: Independent installers and SMEs will require direct access to SIP status to meet consumer demand and avoid delays caused by reliance on supplier-led models.
Without reform, the current SIP framework risks becoming a bottleneck in the UK’s energy transition. Establishing SIPs as a standalone REC Metering Party will help ensure the industry is equipped to meet this growing demand safely and efficiently.
The current SIP framework poses several risks:
• Consumer, MEM & unaccredited practitioners safety: Unaccredited and unregulated isolation work increases the risk of unsafe installations and potential harm to consumers. We have been made aware by NAPIT that in 2023, 17 unregulated practitioners died due to unsafe Isolation. 13 unregulated practitioners died in 2024.
• Inequity: Independent installers face longer wait times compared to supplier-led installations, creating a two-tier system.
• Decarbonisation Delays: The inability to scale SIP capacity undermines the timely deployment of LZCTs, threatening Net Zero targets.
We propose the creation of a standalone SIP Party category within the REC, with the following features:
• Direct Accession Pathway: Allow qualified individuals or organisations to accede to the REC as SIPs without requiring MEM status.
• Streamlined Accreditation: Introduce a simplified, centralised qualification process (potentially via an umbrella accreditation model) to reduce barriers to entry.
• Clear Governance and Oversight: Establish robust compliance and assurance mechanisms to ensure safety and performance standards are upheld.
• Consumer, MEM & unaccredited practitioners safety: Unaccredited and unregulated isolation work increases the risk of unsafe installations and potential harm to consumers. We have been made aware by NAPIT that in 2023, 17 unregulated practitioners died due to unsafe Isolation. 13 unregulated practitioners died in 2024.
• Inequity: Independent installers face longer wait times compared to supplier-led installations, creating a two-tier system.
• Decarbonisation Delays: The inability to scale SIP capacity undermines the timely deployment of LZCTs, threatening Net Zero targets.
We propose the creation of a standalone SIP Party category within the REC, with the following features:
• Direct Accession Pathway: Allow qualified individuals or organisations to accede to the REC as SIPs without requiring MEM status.
• Streamlined Accreditation: Introduce a simplified, centralised qualification process (potentially via an umbrella accreditation model) to reduce barriers to entry.
• Clear Governance and Oversight: Establish robust compliance and assurance mechanisms to ensure safety and performance standards are upheld.
We propose the creation of a standalone SIP Party category within the REC, with the following features:
• Direct Accession Pathway: Allow qualified individuals or organisations to accede to the REC as SIPs without requiring MEM status.
• Streamlined Accreditation: Introduce a simplified, centralised qualification process (potentially via an umbrella accreditation model) to reduce barriers to entry.
• Clear Governance and Oversight: Establish robust compliance and assurance mechanisms to ensure safety and performance standards are upheld.
• Direct Accession Pathway: Allow qualified individuals or organisations to accede to the REC as SIPs without requiring MEM status.
• Streamlined Accreditation: Introduce a simplified, centralised qualification process (potentially via an umbrella accreditation model) to reduce barriers to entry.
• Clear Governance and Oversight: Establish robust compliance and assurance mechanisms to ensure safety and performance standards are upheld.
The SIP role was introduced into the REC in June 2023 via Change Proposals R0021 and R0101. It was designed to:
• Streamline the de-energisation and re-energisation of supply points.
• Allow REC-accredited Metering Equipment Managers (MEMs) to perform these tasks independently of Suppliers.
• Support the rollout of Low and Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCTs) such as heat pumps and EV chargers by reducing delays and coordination issues.
Currently, SIP is an additional role layered onto existing MEM (Meter Operator Agent [MOA] or Electricity Metering Operative [EMO]) accreditations. However, this structure has proven insufficient to meet market demand and ensure consistent safety standards.
• Streamline the de-energisation and re-energisation of supply points.
• Allow REC-accredited Metering Equipment Managers (MEMs) to perform these tasks independently of Suppliers.
• Support the rollout of Low and Zero Carbon Technologies (LZCTs) such as heat pumps and EV chargers by reducing delays and coordination issues.
Currently, SIP is an additional role layered onto existing MEM (Meter Operator Agent [MOA] or Electricity Metering Operative [EMO]) accreditations. However, this structure has proven insufficient to meet market demand and ensure consistent safety standards.
Impacts
No details provided
On site experience, Safety, Trust and confidence, Other (please provide details in Additional information box below)
• Faster Access: Consumers will benefit from quicker installation timelines for LZCTs due to increased SIP availability.
• Improved Safety: A regulated SIP framework ensures that only qualified and accredited professionals perform isolation tasks.
• Greater Choice: Consumers can choose from a broader pool of certified SIPs, including independent installers, enhancing competition and service quality.
• Improved Safety: A regulated SIP framework ensures that only qualified and accredited professionals perform isolation tasks.
• Greater Choice: Consumers can choose from a broader pool of certified SIPs, including independent installers, enhancing competition and service quality.
REC Main Body, Schedule 1 - Interpretations and Definitions, Schedule 3 - Accession Agreement, Schedule 6 - Performance Assurance, Schedule 9 - Qualification and Maintenance, Schedule 14 - Metering Operations, Schedule 15 - Metering Accreditation
This proposal directly supports the REC’s mission to:
• Facilitate an efficient and effective retail energy market.
• Promote innovation, competition, and positive consumer outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement in central systems and processes.
It also delivers on the expectations set out in Ofgem’s Strategic Direction Statement (SDS), which identifies the formalisation of SIPs as a standalone Party as a priority action to support decarbonisation, consumer safety, and market efficiency.
• Facilitate an efficient and effective retail energy market.
• Promote innovation, competition, and positive consumer outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement in central systems and processes.
• Facilitate an efficient and effective retail energy market.
• Promote innovation, competition, and positive consumer outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement in central systems and processes.
It also delivers on the expectations set out in Ofgem’s Strategic Direction Statement (SDS), which identifies the formalisation of SIPs as a standalone Party as a priority action to support decarbonisation, consumer safety, and market efficiency.
• Facilitate an efficient and effective retail energy market.
• Promote innovation, competition, and positive consumer outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement in central systems and processes.
Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP)
In the current version of the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (CoMCoP), Safe Isolation Providers (SIPs) are listed in the Information column of the audit matrix. This means they are acknowledged in the context of certain obligations but are not directly audited in their own right.
SIPs are currently assessed only when operating under the umbrella of an Electricity Metering Operative (EMO) or Meter Operator Agent (MOA) during those parties’ audits. While this provides some oversight, it does not reflect the growing operational independence and critical safety role SIPs play in the market.
This proposal recommends moving SIPs into the Auditable Party column of CoMCoP, thereby recognising them as directly accountable for compliance with relevant standards.
Benefits of this revision:
• For Metering Parties: Clarifies the delineation of responsibilities when SIPs are subcontracted or partnered, reducing ambiguity and improving audit readiness.
• For Prospective SIPs: Establishes a clear and transparent compliance framework, supporting new entrants in understanding and meeting expectations from the outset.
• For Auditors: Enables consistent, direct assessment of SIPs, improving audit efficiency and ensuring that safety-critical practices are being followed and evidenced.
This change would bring SIPs into alignment with other Metering Parties under CoMCoP, reinforcing safety, accountability, and consumer protection—particularly as SIP activity scales to meet Net Zero delivery targets.
SIPs are currently assessed only when operating under the umbrella of an Electricity Metering Operative (EMO) or Meter Operator Agent (MOA) during those parties’ audits. While this provides some oversight, it does not reflect the growing operational independence and critical safety role SIPs play in the market.
This proposal recommends moving SIPs into the Auditable Party column of CoMCoP, thereby recognising them as directly accountable for compliance with relevant standards.
Benefits of this revision:
• For Metering Parties: Clarifies the delineation of responsibilities when SIPs are subcontracted or partnered, reducing ambiguity and improving audit readiness.
• For Prospective SIPs: Establishes a clear and transparent compliance framework, supporting new entrants in understanding and meeting expectations from the outset.
• For Auditors: Enables consistent, direct assessment of SIPs, improving audit efficiency and ensuring that safety-critical practices are being followed and evidenced.
This change would bring SIPs into alignment with other Metering Parties under CoMCoP, reinforcing safety, accountability, and consumer protection—particularly as SIP activity scales to meet Net Zero delivery targets.
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Distribution Network Operators, Electricity Metering Operative, Meter Operator Agent
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Distribution Connection and Use of System Agreement (DCUSA)
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No details provided
Priority & timing
No
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No details provided
On site experience, Safety, Trust and confidence, Other (please provide details in the Additional information box below)
Activity
Problem Statement changed to The current SIP framework poses several risks: - Consumers, MEMs and unaccredited practitioners’ safety. Unaccredited and unregulated isolation work increases the risk of unsafe installations and potential harm to Consum…
Problem Statement changed to The current SIP framework poses several risks: - Consumers, MEMs and unaccredited practitioners’ safety. Unaccredited and unregulated isolation work increases the risk of unsafe installations and potential harm to Consumers. NAPIT highlighted to RECCo and DESNZ that 17 and 13 unregulated practitioners respectively died in 2023 and in 2024 due to unsafe isolation. With the right Party undertaking this work, there would also be less safety issues for the Consumer at their premises; - Inequity. Independent Installers face longer wait times compared to supplier-led installations, creating a two-tier system; - Low competitive market. Currently prospective Parties can be put off from applying to be a SIP as it appears they would need full MEM Accreditation which is often too far outside their current business operating model. Providing SIPs with their own pathway and requirements could result in more Parties becoming SIPs and therefore giving Consumers more choice in their provider; and - Decarbonisation delays. The inability to scale SIP capacity undermines the timely deployment of LZCTs, threatening Net Zero targets..
Show moreStatus has been changed to Solution Development.
Change Report - Initial Assessment and Change Plan Report has been updated to Comments deadline for I0278 Change Report (Proposal Plan) V1.0 (Pre-Approval) 09.10.2025.pdf - 2025-10-18.
Status has been changed to Issue Review.
Orphaned SME: Lead Technical Analyst, amoden have been allocated as SME.