Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/855of 14 April 2026on interoperability requirements and non-discriminatory and transparent procedures for access to data required for customer switching(Text with EEA relevance)

Official contactContact details of the entity responsible for registering and publishing information about active balance responsible parties in the Member State.I-s4Information about balance responsible parties in the Member StateLink to a website or a document that is nationally published kept up to date providing this information including name of balance responsible parties, their identification code (e.g. European Legal Entity Identifier (EUEI), European Article Number (EAN)) and official contact details.

Table II

Supplementary roles and market participants specific to customer switching (complementary to Table II of the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1162)

The market participants listed in this table are eligible parties, as defined in point (6) of Article 2 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1162, that perform a specific service for the accounting point involved in and impacted by the execution of the procedures set out in Table III. Each eligible party assumes full responsibility for the performance of its designated duties.

NameTypeDescriptionRolesBalance responsible partyBusiness

As defined in point (14) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943.

A balance responsible party is a market participant or its chosen representative responsible for its imbalances in the electricity market.

Electricity supplier or supplierBusinessAs defined in point (1) of Article 2 of the present Regulation.

Other

market participants

Affected partyBusiness

As defined in point (14) of Article 2 of the present Regulation.

This market participant gains or loses responsibility for the accounting point concerned as a direct result of the switching supplier process or the cancellation of that process.

Note:

affected parties include the current and new electricity supplier, balance responsible party, metered data administrator and grid access provider.

Entitled partyBusiness

As defined in point (13) of Article 2 of the present Regulation.

This market participant should be informed about changes made in the metering point register by the metering point administrator, or the delegated entity where Member States have so provided, as a result of the switching supplier process or the cancellation of that process.

Note:

entitled parties include the metered data aggregator, flexibility service provider, register of guarantees of origin of renewable energy sources and control area manager.

All roles classified as Business are to operate in a secure, authenticated manner and through trusted communication channels. As such, the specific authentication steps used for such communication exchanges are not detailed in the procedures outlined in Table III but are instead considered essential prerequisites. That applies to both the switching supplier procedure and the cancellation of switching supplier procedure. For instance, for switching supplier, as soon as the final customer requests a change of supplier, the new supplier must authenticate and validate the customer’s credentials. To mitigate risks of fraud and identity theft, electricity suppliers should rely on solutions that preferably leverage at least two authentication factors to effectively verify a customer’s identity. In that context, the identity service provider can offer authentication services pursuant to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1162, providing an additional layer of security and compliance.

Table III

Procedure Conditions

No.Procedure namePrimary actorPre-conditions1Switching supplierFinal customer

(a) The new supplier is registered as an electricity supplier.

(b) The new supplier has authenticated the final customer.

(c) The new supplier has identified the accounting point concerned.

(d) The new supplier has obtained permission from the final customer to perform preparatory activities; permission can be provided through the permission administrator.

2Cancellation of switching supplierFinal customer

(e) The final customer has a supply contract with the new supplier.

(f) The supply of electricity based on the new contract has not yet started.

For the purposes of this Regulation, customer switching referred to in Article 23(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/944 is understood as the process by which a final customer switches their electricity supplier. The scope of the reference model in this Annex is limited to the core procedures for switching supplier (Table III.1) and cancellation of switching supplier (Table III.2). While customer switching may also involve changing an aggregator, in accordance with Article 12 of Directive (EU) 2019/944, or energy sharing organiser in accordance with Article 2 point (5) of Directive (EU) 2024/1711, this Regulation specifically addresses only the switching of electricity suppliers.

All procedures discussed in this Annex represent the happy flow, which refers to the standard or expected path where all conditions are met, and actions proceed smoothly without encountering issues such as data mismatches, errors, or deviations. The happy flow ensures the successful execution of the process and the achievement of the desired outcome.

The procedure switching supplier, as detailed in Table III.1, includes the registration of the new supplier at the accounting point according to the date specified in the supply contract. The actual registration of the new electricity supplier, initiated in the procedural step 1.13, after the conclusion of the contract, and performed as set out in procedural step 1.19 in Table III.1, is carried out by the metering point administrator, or the delegated entity where Member States have so provided, in the metering point register. That step is followed by notifying the change to all entitled and affected parties. The overall technical process for switching electricity supplier, that is the process of registering a new supplier at a metering point with the market operator, in accordance with Article 12(1) of Directive (EU) 2019/944, includes procedural steps 1.13 to 1.19 set out in Table III.1 and is to be completed within 24 hours by no later than 2026. The streamlined process in Table III.1 aligns with the right to switch electricity supplier, guaranteed by Directive (EU) 2019/944.

It is essential that the procedural steps set out in this Annex are understood as facilitating the switching process, minimising barriers, and respecting consumer choice. In accordance with Directive (EU) 2019/944, the current supplier must not obstruct or delay the switch. Provided they meet contractual conditions, customers are entitled to switch suppliers in a manner that is non-discriminatory for cost, effort, or time, thereby ensuring compliance with the principles of transparency, consumer empowerment, and market competition.

The procedure cancellation of switching supplier allows for the revocation of a supplier switch notification initiated through the switching supplier procedure. As set out in Table III.2, the implementation of that procedure is to a certain extent dependent on national rules governing the application of final customer’s right to cancel the new supply contract within the allowed withdrawal period. In national settings, a standard sub-procedure based on contractual law, and linked to the withdrawal period, may be used, which is applicable across all sectors, including the electricity sector, as well as for all services and goods. As a result, steps of the cancellation of switching supplier procedure are to be understood and implemented without affecting the national rules and procedures for handling the allowed withdrawal period.

One of the key pre-conditions for performing the cancellation of switching supplier procedure, set out in Table III.2, is that the electricity supply based on the new contract has not yet begun. In that scenario, the final customer will remain with their current supplier after completing the cancellation of switching supplier procedure. However, if a final customer wishes to cancel their switch to a new supplier after the supply has started, they must instead initiate the switching supplier procedure, or another equivalent procedure in accordance with national consumer protection law, since at that point the new supplier becomes the customer's current supplier, and the cancellation of switching supplier procedure is no longer applicable.

The business partners identified in Table II and listed in the procedures set out therein are parties associated with the accounting point and are distinguished by their direct (affected parties) or indirect interest (entitled parties) in the change of supplier process.

The information objects exchanged in procedure 1 (Table III.1) and in procedure 2 (Table III.2) are identified with unique references under the column headed Information exchanged (IDs) set out in Table III.1 and Table III.2. Table IV lists those information objects, along with their descriptions.

Diagram 1 and Diagram 2 illustrate the procedures described in Table III.1 and Table III.2 and follow the Object Management Group Business Process Model and Notation 2.0

Object Management Group Business Process Model and Notation 2.0, https://www.omg.org/spec/BPMN/2.0.2/PDF.

.

Table III.1

Procedure 1 – Switching supplier

Procedure nameSwitching supplierStep NoStepStep descriptionInformation producerInformation receiverInformation exchanged (IDs)1.1Contact between final customer and new supplierThe final customer (or the potential new supplier) makes contact to request (or provide) an offer, which may lead to a new electricity supply contract and the ending of the existing contract with the current supplier.Final customer (or new supplier)New supplier (or final customer)A

1.1a

Request supplier change

The final customer triggers the switching.Final customerNew supplier

1.1b

Notify on supplier change

The new supplier triggers the switching.New supplierFinal customer1.2

[Optional step depending on national arrangements]

Check for possible contractual constraints

Depending on national rules, the new supplier checks for any potential contractual constraints in the current supply contract that could impact the activation of the new supply contract.

Note:

This verification process involving steps 1.2 to 1.4, must not impede or delay the switching process and must respect the final customer’s right to switch suppliers without undue barriers or discrimination.

New supplierNew supplier[Not relevant]1.3

[Conditional – if step 1.2 is implemented]

Resolve issues with current supplier

The new supplier provides – upon any required permission from the final customer – the necessary information to resolve any identified contractual constraints with the current supplier for the activation of the new supply contract.

Note:

The resolution process must be conducted transparently and must not hinder or obstruct the customer’s ability to switch suppliers in a timely and non-discriminatory manner, as guaranteed under Directive (EU) 2019/944.

New supplierCurrent supplier[Not relevant]

1.4

[Conditional – if step 1.2 is implemented]

Communicate resolution results

The current supplier informs the new supplier of the resolution results.

Note:

This communication is purely procedural and does not grant the current supplier the authority to veto or delay the switching process, ensuring that the customer’s right to switch suppliers is upheld without undue cost, effort, or time.

Current supplierNew supplier[Not relevant]1.5

[Conditional – if step 1.2 is implemented]

Notify final customer of issue resolution results

The new supplier informs the final customer of the issue resolution result.

Note:

If no go, then final customer remains with current supplier; otherwise proceeds to 1.6.

New supplierFinal customerB1.6Validate need for accounting point characteristics

The new supplier decides whether accounting point characteristics are required in advance.

Note:

If steps 1.7 to 1.10 do not apply, then flow moves to step 1.11.

New supplierNew supplier[Not relevant]1.7

[Optional]

Request upfront accounting point characteristics

The new supplier, with the final customer’s permission, requests in advance the accounting point characteristics from the metering point administrator, or delegated entity.New supplierMetering point administrator, or delegated entityC1.8

[Conditional – if step 1.7 is implemented]

Validate upfront accounting point characteristics’ request

The metering point administrator, or delegated entity, validates the accounting point characteristics’ request.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityMetering point administrator, or delegated entity[Not relevant]

1.9

[Conditional – if step 1.7 is implemented]

Provide accounting point characteristics

The metering point administrator, or delegated entity, sends the requested accounting point characteristics to the new supplier or provides a meaningful indication in case of an invalid request.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityNew supplierD1.10

[Conditional – if step 1.7 is implemented]

Notify final customer of accounting point validation results

The new supplier informs the final customer about the accounting point validation result.New supplierFinal customerB1.11Request contract conclusionThe new supplier invites the final customer to conclude the new contract, for supply of electricity at the requested date.New SupplierFinal customerO1.12Conclude contractThe final customer concludes the contract for supply of electricity at the requested date.Final customerNew supplierOTechnical Switching: steps 1.13 to 1.191.13Request switch of supplierThe new supplier submits a request to the metering point administrator, or delegated entity, to be registered as the new supplier (alongside the balance responsible party) in the metering point register for the accounting point on the specified date.New supplierMetering point administrator, or delegated entityE1.14Validate switch of supplier requestThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity, validates the specified switch supplier request.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityMetering point administrator, or delegated entity[Not relevant]

1.15Communicate validation results for switch of supplier requestThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity, informs the new supplier of the validation results for the requested change of supplier at the accounting point. In case of an invalid request, a meaningful response is provided.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityNew supplierF1.16Notify final customer of supplier switch resultsThe new supplier notifies the final customer of the supplier switch results as soon as available. This can take place, where technically feasible, within the 24 hours window of technical switching.New supplierFinal customerB1.17Notify affected parties of supplier switchThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity notifies all affected parties directly after successfully validating the switch of supplier request.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityAffected partyH1.18Registration of new supplier in metering point registerThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity registers the new supplier (along with the balance responsible party) in the metering point register as the supplier for the accounting point, effective as of the specified date. The metering point administrator, or delegated entity, also makes all necessary updates to complete the switch of supplier.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityMetering point administrator, or delegated entity[Not relevant]1.19Notify accounting point characteristics to entitled parties and affected partiesEntitled parties and affected parties receive updated accounting point characteristics resulting from the switch of supplier registration process at the specified date of the change of supplier.Metering point administrator, or delegated entity

Entitled party

Affected party

G

1.20Request metering dataThe current and new supplier request the metering data for the effective date of the change of supplier at the accounting point to ensure accurate billing.Current and new supplierMetered data administrator, or delegated entityImplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1162 – Annex – Table IV (Information Exchanged ID – C)1.21Validate metering dataThe metered data administrator, or delegated entity, validates the metering data request.Metered data administrator, or delegated entityMetered data administrator, or delegated entity[Not relevant]1.22Send metering dataThe metered data administrator, or delegated entity, sends the requested metering data to the current and new supplier and provides a meaningful response in case of an invalid request.Metered data administrator, or delegated entityNew supplierImplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1162 – Annex – Table IV (Information Exchanged ID – E)

Diagram 1

Procedure Switching supplier

Table III.2

Procedure 2 – Cancellation of switching supplier

In case of a failed validation, the sequence of steps 2.7 and 2.10 applies. The metering point administrator, or delegated entity, informs the new supplier of the failed validation, who subsequently informs the final customer, as illustrated in Diagram 2 (red dotted lines).

Procedure nameCancellation of switching supplierStep NoStepStep descriptionInformation producerInformation receiver

Information

exchanged (IDs)

2.1Request cancellation of new supply contractFinal customer submits request to cancel the new supply contract to the newly contracted supplier.Final customerNew supplierJ2.2Validate cancellation request

The new supplier verifies:

(1) the existence of a contract with the final customer for the specified accounting point;

(2) that the cancellation request was made before the start date of supply specified in the new contract;

(3) that the cancellation falls within the withdrawal period.

New supplierNew supplier[Not relevant]2.3(Conditional of unsuccessful outcome of step 2.2) Notify final customer of validation failureIf the validation (under step 2.2) fails, the new supplier notifies the final customer with a meaningful indication, explanation of the failure, and that the cancellation request is ended.New supplierFinal customerB2.4Validate registration of new supplier at accounting pointThe new supplier validates the registration of the switch of supplier request in the metering point register in accordance with the new contract.New supplierNew Supplier[Not relevant]2.5Request cancellation of new contract in the metering point registerThe new supplier submits a request to the metering point administrator, or delegated entity, to cancel the pending switch of supplier in the metering point register due to cancellation of the new supply contract.New supplierMetering point administrator, or delegated entityK

2.6Validate cancellation requestThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity, checks if the new supplier is registered at the accounting point for supply on the start date specified in the request for cancellation of the new contract (submitted according to step 2.5).Metering point administrator, or delegated entityMetering point administrator, or delegated entity[Not relevant]2.7Notify new supplier of validation resultThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity, informs the new supplier of the validation result. In the case of an invalid request, they provide a meaningful indication/explanation.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityNew supplierM2.8Cancel the pending switch of supplier

The metering point administrator, or delegated entity, cancels the pending switch of supplier registration.

Note:

final customer stays with their current (before the switch) supplier.

Metering point administrator, or delegated entityMetering point administrator, or delegated entity[Not relevant]2.9Notify affected parties of cancellation of switch of supplierThe metering point administrator, or delegated entity, notifies the affected parties about the cancellation of the switch of supplier.Metering point administrator, or delegated entityAffected partiesL2.10Send information to final customer on validation failureIf the validation fails, the new supplier informs the final customer with a meaningful indication/explanation of the failure.New supplierFinal customerB2.11Cancel the supply contractThe new supplier cancels the supply contract with the final customer.New supplierNew supplier[Not relevant]

2.12Notify final customer of cancellation of contract

The new supplier notifies the final customer that the new supply contract has been cancelled.

Note:

final customer stays with current (before the switch) supplier.

New supplierFinal customerN

Diagram 2

Procedure Cancellation of switching supplier

Table IV

Information objects exchanged

This information object aims to provide – with the relevant permission – additional accounting point characteristics for the electricity supplier to be able to provide tailor-made supply contract proposals for the final customer.

For example, a supplier can be registered for a future period, such as the following year, while a new supplier, following the request of the respective final customer, may ask for a switch for the period leading up to that point. In that scenario, the new supplier is informed, through this information object, that a future supplier is already registered for the period starting the following year.

Information exchanged IDName of informationDescription of information exchangedRemarksAContact between final customer and new supplierAccounting point identifierInformation set to identify the accounting point.Final customerInformation that identifies the final customer and information used to authenticate the identity.Requested start dateDate requested by the final customer for start of supply.BInform customer on validation resultValidation resultInformation about the outcome of the validation step.CRequest in advance accounting point characteristicsAccounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point for which the switch of supplier is requested.Requesting party IDThe unique identification of the requesting party (= new supplier) that intends to supply the accounting point.Request reasonA code specifying the reason (that is switch of supplier) for the request.The code values for specific attributes in the relevant information objects are not defined within this Regulation. They will be detailed in the corresponding business standardisation documentation.

DAccounting point characteristicsprovided in advanceStart dateThe date when the content of this set of information becomes or became valid.Only a minimal set of attributes is defined; further specification of this information object is left to national implementation.Accounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point that this request targets.Future SupplierIndicates if there is a contract for a future supplier at this accounting point. (The element is Boolean – yes or no).Future supply start dateDate on which future supply will start.ERequest switch of supplierStart dateThe date requested by the new supplier to take over the electricity supply for this accounting point.This date must be in the future.Accounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point that this request targets.New supplier IDThe unique identification of the requesting supplier.

New balance responsible party ID

(optional) The unique identification of the balance responsible party for this accounting point, as requested by the new supplier.The exchange of this information is optional and not required where it is already contained in the national data exchange model.Final customerInformation set to identify final customer.

FSwitch of supplier resultsReason rejection{if rejected} A code specifying the reason(s) for the rejection of the requested switch of supplier.The code values for specific attributes in the relevant information objects are not defined within this Regulation. They will be detailed in the corresponding business standardisation documentation.GNotify accounting point characteristics to entitled parties and affected partiesStart dateThe date from when the new supplier and balance responsible party assume their roles (i.e. start the supply or balance responsibility, respectively) for this accounting point.Only a minimal set of attributes is defined; further specification of this information object is left to national implementation.Accounting Point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point for which the switch of supplier is confirmed.Supplier IDThe unique identification of the supplier that is supplying the accounting point from the start date.Balance responsible party IDThe unique identification of the balance responsible party that assumes balance responsibility from the start date for this accounting point.

HNotification switch of supplier to affected partySwitch dateThe date when the present affected party relinquishes supply or balance responsibility (LOSS) for this accounting point, or the date when the new affected party assumes responsibility (GAIN) for this accounting point.Two versions (LOSS/ GAIN) of this information object exist based on the role of the receiving party (current/ new affected party).Accounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point for which the switch of supplier is notified.JRequest cancellation of contractNo definition, free formatKRequest cancel switch of supplier in metering point registerStart dateThe date when the new supplier was to take over the electricity supply for this accounting point.This date must be in the future.Accounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point that the request switch of supplier targets.New supplier IDThe unique identification of the requesting supplier.LNotification on cancellation switch of supplier in metering point register to affected partiesStart dateThe date when the new supplier was to assume supply for the accounting point.Accounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point for which the switch of supplier is notified.

MNotification on cancellation to supplierStart dateThe date when the new supplier was to assume supply for this accounting point.This date must be in the future.Accounting point IDThe unique identification of the accounting point that this request switch of supplier targets.New supplier IDThe unique identification of the requesting supplier.

New balance responsible party ID

(optional) The unique identification of the balance responsible party for this accounting point, as requested by the new supplier.The exchange of this information is optional and not required where it is already contained in the national data exchange model.NNotification of cancellation of switch of supplier to final customerNo definition, free formatOConfirm contractNo definition, free format