The overall aim of the Best Practice Framework programme is to establish best practice principles and measures which electricity, gas and water suppliers and distribution network companies in Northern Ireland must implement to better identify, support and protect consumers in vulnerable circumstances.
The introduction of the new mandatory Code of Practice for Consumers in Vulnerable Circumstances is one of the main delivery mechanisms of the Best Practice Framework programme.
The code of practice will introduce new protections and support for consumers in vulnerable circumstances and will provide consistency in the regulatory frameworks between distribution network companies and suppliers across electricity, gas and water.
In addition, the new code of practice will ensure that the support and protections offered to domestic consumers in Northern Ireland are consistent, adequately promoted and reflective of best practice exemplars seen in Great Britain and across other jurisdictions and regulated sectors.
This publication of the new code of practice follows on from a consultation setting out our proposals on the content, implementation and compliance of a new mandatory Code of Practice for Consumers in Vulnerable Circumstances. We received 18 responses in total to the consultation which are available here.