See also: REC Schedules

This schedule outlines the relationships between Network Parties and Energy Suppliers in respect of Energy Theft and their obligations to identify and resolve issues. It is mandatory for Domestic and Non Domestic Suppliers, Gas Transporters and Distribution Network Operators.

You can access this schedule with a Portal account on the Energy Market Architecture Repository (EMAR).

Outline of Code of Practice Obligations

The Code of Practice sets out the following:

• Obligations and minimum service standards that Parties are expected to meet in relation to communication when Energy Theft is suspected or confirmed
• Procedures for investigation of Energy Theft
• Procedures for site visits and gaining entry to premises where Theft is suspected or confirmed
• How Parties should deal with Consumers who are suspected or confirmed as committing Energy Theft
• How Parties should deal with Vulnerable Consumers who are suspected of or have committed Energy Theft
• How unrecorded units of Energy are to be assessed
• Options for cut-off or disconnection following suspected or confirmed Energy Theft
• Provision of information between Parties where Energy Theft is suspected or confirmed
• Exchange of information between Parties where Energy Theft is suspected or confirmed and the Consumer switches Energy Supply
• The process to follow when a relevant offence has been committed.

The Code of Practice does not deal with any other types of theft other than Energy Theft.

High-Level Principles

A series of principles are established that are Parties should follow when working within their obligations as follows

• Make safe 
• Costs should be borne by those that steal
• Seek to identify and prevent theft
• Collect and report trend data
• Collect and report data associated to the Energy Theft
• Data Protection legislation
• Enable theft reporting
• Ensure that Consumers are treated in an appropriate manner
• Back-billing limitations
• Investigation by competent individuals
• Standardisation

The Theft User Guide has more information on the Energy Theft Process under the REC and your responsibilities including how to upload theft files to the Portal.