LONDON -(Dow Jones)- OFGEM said Monday it has delivered changes to energy supply rules that will give consumers more clout in the energy market.
MAIN FACTS:
-The measures are remedies to flaws uncovered by Ofgem's recent Energy Supply Probe.
-The regulator has laid down new standards of conduct that it will use to judge suppliers' treatment of consumers.
-Following full consultation Ofgem has unveiled a package of remedies to suppliers' shortcomings that emerged from the regulator's major probe into the energy market.
-The measures include:
-tougher rules on marketing practices - including doorstep selling;
-an obligation on suppliers to provide clearer information on energy bills designed to help customers when comparing tariffs;
-greater protection for small businesses that make up the majority of commercial consumers;
-helping many low-income and other vulnerable customers to switch to better deals; and
-an obligation on the suppliers to publish revenue, costs and profits from production and supply of electricity and gas.
-The new rules are accompanied by a clear set of standards of conduct that all suppliers should keep to when dealing with domestic consumers and small business.
-Ofgem will look to these standards when considering any enforcement action.
-The remedy package follows the implementation from September 1 of new rules banning undue discrimination including price differences between payment methods that do not reflect the suppliers' costs of offering those payment methods.
-By London Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; Contact Ian Walker; +44 (0)20 7842 9296; ian.walker@dowjones.com