Open consultation

Measuring instruments display requirements for ESAs

Published 28 May 2025

Display requirements of the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 pertaining to Energy Smart Appliances used for trade.

Ministerial foreword

This government’s Clean Energy Superpower mission will herald a new era of clean energy independence. To achieve Clean Power by 2030 we will tackle three major challenges: the need for a secure and affordable energy supply; the creation of essential new energy industries, supported by skilled workers in their thousands; and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit our contribution to the damaging effects of climate change.

As our capacity to produce low carbon electricity grows, a whole new range of opportunities are unfolding ahead of us, thanks to more sophisticated batteries, smart grids and consumer-led flexibility. The Government is committed to translating these opportunities into building energy security, and cheaper, cleaner energy for consumers. It is crucial that our legislation fully empowers this transition and maximises both economic and environmental gains.

Moving to a smarter and more flexible energy system is crucial to delivering our mission to reach Clean Power by 2030. This includes giving consumers confidence to participate in flexible energy services and increasing the use of Energy Smart Appliances (ESAs).

In reviewing the Measuring Instruments Regulations (MIR) 2016, which protects consumers from inaccurate measuring instruments by requiring manufacturers to show how their instruments meet accuracy requirements, we became aware of certain inefficiencies in its interaction with the rollout of ESAs. Specifically, the requirement under MIR for measuring instruments to include an in-built physical display was raised, by industry, as a potential barrier to the roll out of ESAs and one that may not reflect modern consumer behaviour.

This consultation acts as a platform for interested parties to express their views on this display requirement to ensure our legislation supports the rollout of ESAs, while continuing to protect consumers; we want the UK to be the home of technological and energy efficient advancements.

Justin Madders MP

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

Background

1) The Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 (MIR) protect consumers from inaccurate measuring instruments by requiring manufacturers to show how their instruments meet relevant essential and specific requirements for that instrument, to ensure its accuracy. It is necessary that measuring instruments are accurate because this ensures consumers are charged only for the quantity of goods they are buying; this is particularly important for items sold by weight or volume, like groceries or fuel, but also for measuring the amount of energy a user is charged for (e.g. electricity or gas).

2) The MIR implemented the recast European Measuring Instruments Directive 2014/32/EC into UK law. MIR harmonised the requirements of different measuring instruments such as petrol pumps, gas meters, electricity meters, water meters and taxi meters, replacing fifteen individual regulations with a single regulation.

3) The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) sits within Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and is the UK’s national product regulator. OPSS has responsibility for enforcing the MIR in relation to all meters in scope, save for taximeters and exhaust gas analysers (which are overseen by the Department for Transport).

4) Active electrical energy meters are meters that measure the amount of electrical energy consumed in a circuit which is intended for residential, commercial or light industrial use. An active electrical energy meter must be made to meet MIR’s requirements if it is used for trade, meaning it is used in connection with a transaction where the meter’s measurement determines how much money is charged or rewarded to the customer. This includes Energy Smart Appliances (ESAs), such as Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Points (EVSCPs), that are signed up to flexibility services which optimise energy consumption and offer consumers rewards based on how much electricity usage is shifted during periods of peak demand.

5) The Government recognises the importance of reviewing legislation, such as MIR, to ensure it remains fit for purpose as technology develops and consumer behaviour changes. This includes consideration of how the MIR interacts with newer regulations relating to ESAs, particularly EVSCPs. Some industry stakeholders have suggested that the in-built physical display requirement within MIR is a barrier to the roll out of these technologies and this is, in turn, acting as a barrier to consumers being able to engage in flexibility services.

6) This consultation seeks views on whether the current requirement in MIR for an in-built physical display should remain, when energy management via remote displays, such as smartphone apps, is increasingly common. Any change to MIR’s requirements would need to ensure continued protection of consumers and the ability to verify the accuracy of meters.

7) This consultation seeks views from those affected or who have a view on the current regulatory framework. The Government wants to hear from a broad range of stakeholders that have an interest in regulations surrounding the development of smart technologies and meter accuracy, and how consumer protection measures can be maintained in the context of current and future technological changes.

General information

Purpose of this consultation

8) The purpose of this consultation is to gather information to inform a review by Government of the current display requirements of the MIR, particularly in relation to ESAs and both public and private EVSCPs.

Scope of this consultation

9) The scope of this consultation covers all ESAs which contain an active electrical energy meter being used for trade. ^{[footnote 1]} It also covers Public EV Charge Points (PCPs) as they contain an active electrical energy meter that is always used for trade.

10) Only active electrical energy meters that are used for trade need to comply with MIR requirements, including the requirement to have an in-built physical display.

11) An example of an ESA which contains an active electrical energy meter used for trade is an EVSCP that is signed up to a flexibility service agreement. This is when a consumer is paid or rewarded based on the meter measurement. This may include, for example, being rewarded for reducing their electricity consumption at peak (higher demand) times to help ease pressure on the grid, or receiving payment for the amount of electricity supplied back to the grid.

12) Boundary meters (such as domestic utility meters for electricity and gas), the conformity assessment procedures and the accuracy requirements within MIR are not in scope of any of the proposed changes set out in this consultation.

Audiences

13) We want to hear from a broad range of stakeholders from the Electric Vehicle (EV), EVSCP and ESA sectors, including, but not limited to, EV and EVSCP manufacturers, other ESA manufacturers (e.g. manufacturers of electric heat appliances and battery energy storage systems (BESS)), public Charge Point operators, electricity suppliers, businesses, trade associations, flexibility service providers, enforcement authorities and conformity assessment bodies.

14) We also want to hear from consumers and consumer groups to understand what impact changing the physical display requirements might have in terms of the user-friendliness of devices, and if there would be any accessibility impacts if the regulations allowed a remote display option.

Territorial scope

15) The territorial scope for this consultation is Great Britain (GB). Whilst MIR is reserved, electricity supply, transmission and distribution are devolved to the NI Executive (NIE). NI also operates a separate electricity grid from that of GB, therefore, the NIE could make changes regarding its energy policy independently from the rest of GB. Any revision to the MIR in NI, by the UK Government would need to be in a manner consistent with obligations under the Windsor Framework.

How to respond to this consultation

16) You can respond online.

17) Alternatively, you can download a response form through the link below and send in via email, or post it to the address given below.

Email: measuringinstrumentsconsultation@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Postal Address:

Metrology Policy Team
Office for Product Safety and Standards
4th Floor Multistory
18 The Priory Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6BS

Confidentiality and data protection

18) Information you provide in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be disclosed in accordance with UK legislation (the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).

19) If you want your information treated as confidential, please tell us, but we cannot guarantee confidentiality in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not be regarded by us as a confidentiality request.

20) We will process your personal data in accordance with all applicable UK data protection laws. Please see our privacy notice for more information on what personal data OPSS collects about you, how it uses this personal data, and what rights you have regarding your personal data.

21) In addition, please be aware that OPSS uses Qualtrics survey software to process online responses. This involves personal data being sent outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Any processing outside of the EEA will be subject to the safeguards specified within the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), and the Data Protection Act 2018.

22) We will consider all responses and publish a summary of these on GOV.UK. The summary will include a list of names or organisations that responded, but not people’s personal names, addresses or other contact details.

Quality assurance

23) This consultation has been carried out in accordance with the Government’s Consultation Principles.

24) If you have any complaints about the consultation process (as opposed to comments about the issues which are the subject of the consultation) please address them to:

Email: OPSS.enquiries@businessandtrade.gov.uk

1. Introduction – What is an Energy Smart Appliance (ESA)?

1.1. An Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) is a device which is designed to optimise energy consumption and reduce costs for consumers. It does this by shifting energy usage, for example away from periods of peak demand.

1.2. Examples of ESAs are Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Points (EVSCPs), domestic battery energy storage systems (BESS) such as those providing smart storage systems for solar panels, heat pumps, heat batteries, storage heaters and air conditioning/ventilation systems.

1.3. The Government recognises the importance of supporting the roll out of low carbon technologies that can function in a smart way, such as ESAs, and wants to create the conditions for their wider uptake over the next decade.

1.4. ESAs have high potential to provide Consumer-Led Flexibility (CLF) ^{[footnote 2]} and can play a significant role in delivering a smart electricity system. The forecasted deployment of ESAs (e.g. EVSCPs and heat pumps) is expected to occur at pace, as shown by the graph below.

2. What are the Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016 (MIR)?

2.1. MIR implemented the Measuring Instrument Directive 2014/32/EU (MID) and covers a variety of measuring instruments and meters, such as (but not limited to) gas and electricity meters, fuel pumps, taximeters and capacity measures used to serve alcohol in pubs and restaurants.

2.2. MIR sets out the requirements that must be met before measuring instruments can be placed on the UK market. The purpose of this legislation is to protect business and consumers by requiring manufacturers to demonstrate how their measuring instruments meet the requirements for design and performance to measure a range of traded goods. It also ensures that the instruments give accurate measurements, so consumers get what they pay for.

2.3. MIR includes a physical display requirement for measuring instruments and confirms that the reading on the in-built physical display serves as the basis for the price to pay.

2.4. The requirement for a display ensures transparency for consumers and businesses when it comes to energy consumption and billing. Both in-built physical displays and remote displays (such as in-home displays (IHD) for smart meters) are considered to be very reliable and to accurately reflect the readings from the active electrical energy meter within a device.

2.5. An in-built physical display can provide a back-up reading if remote communications breakdown or fail.

2.6. Regarding accuracy safeguards, the MIR prescribes maximum permissible error (MPE) limits, which indicate the maximum amount of error allowed for a measuring instrument. MPE’s ensure consumers are billed correctly for the quantities of energy supplied.

2.7. A MIR compliant meter will have undergone a conformity assessment. Conformity assessments demonstrate that a product has met the essential requirements and instrument specific standards set out in the MIR (for example, ensuring a meter does not exceed the specified MIR MPE limits). Conformity assessments are conducted through testing, inspections and certification by Approved Bodies.

3. When does MIR apply to ESAs?

3.1. MIR applies to active electrical energy meters ^{[footnote 3]} that are being used for trade. This would include ESAs which contain a meter that is used for billing purposes and is signed up to a flexibility service agreement (e.g. when a consumer is paid or rewarded based on the meter measurement).

3.2. Flexibility services incentivise electricity use at times when demand is lower (e.g. overnight EV charging), or when renewable energy production is higher (e.g. wind turbines) and help manage grid stress during periods of peak demand.

3.3. If the consumer is charged, reimbursed or rewarded in proportion to the amount of electricity shifted based on the meter measurement (i.e. ‘used for trade’), the meter must comply with the essential and specific requirements for active electrical energy meters set out in Schedules 1A and 1E of the MIR. These requirements are clarified in guidance that was published in February 2022 that accompanies the Electric Vehicle (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.

Read the guidance on the EVSCP Regulations 2021.

3.4. Residential, commercial and light industrial meters used for trade, such as those found within an ESA that are used for billing purposes, must be compliant with the requirements set out in the MIR, including having an in-built physical display. ^{[footnote 4]}

3.5. ‘Heavy’ industrial electricity meters, which can operate above 100kW per hour and record half hourly measurements, are not in scope of the MIR. ^{[footnote 5]}

3.6. It is possible that an ESA may contain an active electrical energy meter being used for Demand Side Response Services. A Demand Side Response Service Provider (DSRSP) rewards consumers for allowing the provider to control their ESA and decide when the appliance is used. The DSRSP controls these ESAs for the overall benefit of the network, to ease demand pressures on the national grid. ESAs need to comply with MIR if they are being used for trade and are calculating the reward by reference to the quantity of electricity being saved, as measured against a baseline. ESAs are increasingly being used by consumers to benefit from DSRSP services. This is consistent with government’s promotion of ESAs and roll-out targets and objectives to increase take-up of consumer-led flexibility. Supporting consumers, DSRSPs and the government’s clean power objectives are the aims behind these proposed metering reforms.

3.7. DESNZ recently published the Government response to its 2024 consultation on interrelated policy areas – ESAs, Licensing and Tariff Data Accessibility. In relation to MIR, the Government Response sets out that the Government will regulate to require that from late 2027 ESAs – including EVSCPs, smart heating appliances within the scope of the Smart Secure Electricity Systems programme, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) with smart capability – must include a device meter, and that this device meter must comply with MIR Class B requirements for active electrical energy meters. This legislation will be subject to consultation in draft later in 2025.

4. What are the current display requirements in the Measuring Instrument Regulations 2016 (MIR)?

4.1. Regarding display requirements, the MIR states that:

Whether or not a regulated measuring instrument intended for utility measurement purposes can be remotely read it shall in any case be fitted with a metrologically controlled display accessible without tools to the consumer. The reading of this display is the measurement result that serves as the basis for the price to pay.

(paragraph 10.5 of Schedule 1A (Essential Requirements) of MIR (Annex I to the Directive))

4.2. When a meter in scope of MIR is being used for trade, it is required to comply with the essential requirements in MIR, which includes needing to have a metrologically controlled ^{[footnote 6]} display. The reading of the display serves as the basis for the price to pay. The current essential requirements of the MIR mean that the display needs to be an in-built, physical display, that is “accessible without tools to the consumer”.

4.3. Currently there is nothing to prevent meters in scope of MIR from having remote displays (e.g. on a mobile app or an additional, in-home display). However, MIR requires that any such ancillary display must be in addition to an in-built physical display that is metrologically controlled.

4.4. The in-built physical display also allows consumers or electricity suppliers to check the meter is registering as they expect. In the event of a dispute or concern, the display can be integral to assessing the meter is in proper order.

4.5. Alongside the MIR, the Electricity Act 1989 provides a meter testing process in the event of a dispute, that allows consumers to contest electricity meter readings if they believe they are inaccurate. Consumers, authorised electricity suppliers, or any other interested person can request that an independent meter examiner inspects and tests a meter to determine if a meter is accurate or faulty. If the examiner finds the meter to be operating outside the prescribed margins of error, they are required to report this to the electricity supplier and consumer and estimate how long it has been reporting inaccurate measurement, so the consumer can be rebilled.

4.6. The dispute process in the Electricity Act 1989 only applies to meters which supply electricity to premises (also known as boundary meters). There is currently no legislative dispute process in place for ESAs containing device meters.

5. Proposals by the European Union (EU)

5.1. The Measuring Instrument Directive (MID) is an EU Directive which seeks to harmonise many aspects of the legal metrology of measuring instruments across all Member States. Meters which are certified as conforming with the MID’s requirements may be sold in all countries across the European Economic Area (EEA).

5.2. In January 2025, the European Commission published draft proposals for a Targeted Technical Amendment (TTA) to the MID. The TTA proposes update the MID to consider developments from new technologies, such as electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen refilling stations, and to bring compressed gas dispensers, thermal energy meters and DC meters in scope of the MID for the first time. These updates also include permitting the use of remote-only displays for active electrical energy within ESAs that are used for trade. The EU proposals plan to permit the use of remote-only displays for all smart utility meters (e.g. gas and electricity meters), measuring systems for compressed gas dispensers, as well as electric vehicle supply equipment.

5.3. While the main proposals within this consultation are targeted in nature, the Government is considering the broader proposal presented by the EU and is open to reviewing whether similar provisions may be appropriate for the UK market. The Government may consider extending the use of remote-only displays to include smart utility meters (e.g. gas and electricity meters), particularly if this reduces burdens to businesses who are operating in both the UK and EU markets. However, the immediate priority is addressing barriers to the roll out of ESAs and EV charging infrastructure.

6. Proposal to update the display requirements of the MIR

6.1. Given recent technological developments and changing consumer preferences, the Government is proposing to amend the essential requirements in MIR to permit the use of remote displays as an alternative to in-built physical displays.

6.2. This approach would remove a potential barrier to the rollout of ESA flexibility services by lowering production costs and better reflecting modern consumer preferences and expectations for monitoring their energy use.

6.3. A number of EVSCPs do not currently contain a physical display, meaning many Demand Side Response Service Providers (DSRSPs) may be deterred, in the absence of a device retrofit, from offering flexibility services.

6.4. This proposed change would apply to all ESAs which contain an active electrical energy meter being used for trade. This will include all Public EV Charge Points (PCPs) as they are always used for trade.

6.5. By including all ESAs within the scope of this consultation, the aim is to help futureproof the regulations so the Government can prevent compliance issues and take into account any new technological developments with ESAs, ensuring those meters fall in scope of MIR when being used for trade.

Q1A Do you support amending the physical display requirement to allow a remote-only option for ESAs within scope of the MIR? (YES/NO).

Q1B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q2A Do you support amending the physical display requirement in MIR, to allow a remote-only option, for measuring instruments beyond ESAs, such as utility meters? (YES/NO)

Q2B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q3A In your view, how would permitting a remote-only display for ESAs in scope of MIR impact businesses? (Positively / Negatively / Other)

Q3B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q4A In your view, how would permitting a remote-only display for ESAs in scope of MIR impact consumers? (Positively / Negatively / Other)

Q4B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q5A Could allowing the option of a remote-only display for ESAs create any barriers or challenges for consumers using or accessing those products? (YES/NO)

Q5B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Safeguards

6.6. Under this proposal, there would still be a requirement for a display which was easily accessible to the consumer. The requirement for this to be in the form of an in-built, physical display would be removed.

6.7. Other safeguards in MIR are not subject to consultation and will not be changed. These include accuracy standards, duties on manufacturers and the requirement for meters to be conformity assessed.

6.8. The aim of this consultation is to understand stakeholders’ views on this proposal and identify any further safeguards which may be necessary to maintain consumer protections around accuracy, and prevent digital exclusion or any unequal access to technologies.

Q6A If the option of remote-only displays were permitted, do you think the existing safeguards in the MIR (e.g. maximum permissible error (MPE) limits, conformity assessments etc.) would be sufficient to ensure consumers and manufacturers are protected against inaccurate meter readings? (YES/NO)

If NO, what additional safeguards do you believe should be mandated for meters using remote-only displays?

Q6B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Application to active electrical energy meters already in use

6.9. If MIR was amended to permit the use of remote-only displays for active electrical energy meters, the expectation would be that changing MIR in this way would not affect active electrical energy meters in use that have already been conformity assessed and certified as complying with MIR. ESAs being placed on the market which have remote-only displays would now be able to be conformity assessed under MIR and offer a wider range of CLF services, providing assurance to businesses and consumers as to their accuracy.

Q7A If MIR was updated to allow ESAs to have remote-only displays, when should this change take place? i.e., how long should businesses and consumers be given to prepare before this change takes effect legally?

• a) As soon as possible
• b) 12 months’ notice
• c) 24 months’ notice
• d) Other (please state)…

Q7B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q8 Is there anything else that you think the Government should be considering at this stage in respect of the MIR, including whether to implement domestically any of the EU’s proposed updates to the Measuring Instruments Directive, as set out in the draft Targeted Technical Amendment?

Please provide reasons for your answer.

7. Next steps

7.1. This consultation will gather views and evidence to inform decisions on amending the physical display requirement within the MIR and on future regulations relating to ESAs engaged in flexibility services which are used for trade.

7.2. This consultation will run for 10 weeks and close at 23:59 on Tuesday 5 August 2025. Once the consultation is closed, we will analyse your feedback to the consultation and publish a Government Response in due course; you will be able to view this response on this GOV.UK page.

Consultation questions

Q1A Do you support amending the physical display requirement to allow a remote-only option for ESAs within scope of the MIR? (YES/NO).

Q1B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q2A Do you support amending the physical display requirement in MIR, to allow a remote-only option, for measuring instruments beyond ESAs, such as utility meters? (YES/NO)

Q2B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q3A In your view, how would permitting a remote-only display for ESAs in scope of MIR impact businesses? (Positively / Negatively / Other)

Q3B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q4A In your view, how would permitting a remote-only display for ESAs in scope of MIR impact consumers? (Positively / Negatively / Other)

Q4B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q5A Could allowing the option of a remote-only display for ESAs create any barriers or challenges for consumers using or accessing those products? (YES/NO)

Q5B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q6A If the option of remote-only displays were permitted, do you think the existing safeguards in the MIR (e.g. maximum permissible error (MPE) limits, conformity assessments etc.) would be sufficient to ensure consumers and manufacturers are protected against inaccurate meter readings? (YES/NO)

If NO, what additional safeguards do you believe should be mandated for meters using remote-only displays?

Q6B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q7A If MIR was updated to allow ESAs to have remote-only displays, when should this change take place? i.e., how long should businesses and consumers be given to prepare before this change takes effect legally?

• a) As soon as possible
• b) 12 months’ notice
• c) 24 months’ notice
• d) Other (please state)…

Q7B Please provide reasons for your answer.

Q8 Is there anything else that you think the Government should be considering at this stage in respect of the MIR, including whether to implement domestically any of the EU’s proposed updates to the Measuring Instruments Directive, as set out in the draft Targeted Technical Amendment?

Please provide reasons for your answer.

ANNEX A: Glossary of terms

Consumer-Led Flexibility (CLF) – CLF involves giving consumers the choice to be rewarded for shifting electricity demand away from peak periods when there is high demand on the national grid, to off-peak periods when it is more abundant, cheaper and cleaner. Some commercial buildings (e.g. factories and supermarkets) can also vary when they use electricity and sell on this flexibility for balancing the grid.

Electricity Act 1989 – An Act of Parliament that privatised the electricity supply industry in Great Britain and established the Office for Gas and Electricity Markets as the regulator for the industry. Schedule 7 of the Act regulates utility electricity meters used for billing purposes which supply energy from authorised electricity suppliers to customers.

Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Point (EVSCP) – A private or public Charge Point with an interface or an app that enables you to charge your electric vehicle.

Electric Vehicle (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 – These regulations came into force on 30 June 2022 and ensure Charge Points are ESAs with smart functionality, allowing the charging of an electric vehicle when there is less demand on the grid, or when more renewable electricity is available.

Electricity Supplier – Any person who, in accordance with the Electricity Act 1989, is authorised by a supply licence to supply electricity.

Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) – An electrical consumer device which can shift the immediate or future flow of electricity into or out of itself or another appliance in response to a load control signal from a Flexibility Service Provider; and includes any software or other systems which enable or facilitate the adjustment to be made in response to the signal. Examples of ESAs include EVSCPs, domestic battery energy storage systems (BESS), heat pumps, heat batteries, storage heaters and air conditioning/ventilation systems.

Flexibility Services – These are services coordinated by Flexibility Service Providers which offer consumers rewards for shifting their electricity usage. For instance, this may include incentives for using energy at off-peak, low demand times (such as charging an EV overnight) or when renewable energy production is high (using greener energy), or for supplying the grid with additional energy from their EV battery when their car is not in use.

Flexibility Service Provider – An organisation that contracts with consumers for services that involve shifting electricity usage in certain ESAs for the purposes of CLF.

Measuring Instrument Directive 2014/32/EU (MID) – A recast of the original MID Directive 2004/22/EC, which seeks to harmonise many aspects of legal metrology for measuring instruments across all Member States in the EU. The various measuring instruments in scope of the Directive must be conformity assessed as meeting the requirements in the Directive. These meters may then be made, sold and used in all countries across the European Economic Area (EEA).

Measuring Instrument Regulations 2016 (MIR) –MIR implemented the MID domestically in the UK, replacing fifteen individual regulations with one single regulation. The MIR harmonised the requirements of different measuring instruments such as petrol pumps, gas, electricity and water meters and taxi meters.

Physical Display – A display physically located on and built into the meter itself, that indicates the measurement result that serves as the basis for the price to pay.

Private Charge Point – A Charge Point which is designed and marketed to be located at and used only in domestic or company premises.

Public Charge Point – A Charge Point, intended for use primarily by members of the general public. This includes Charge Points in public car parks.

Remote Display – A display not located physically on the meter itself (e.g. on a smartphone app) that indicates the measurement results of the meter.

Smart utility meters – Smart utility meters measure how much gas and electricity is used in a property and send those readings automatically to the household’s energy supplier. When a smart utility meter is first installed in GB, a consumer is offered a remote in-home display (IHD) to help monitor their energy use.

Use for Trade – this is defined in section 7 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 as meaning use in connection with or with a view to:

(i) a transaction by reference to quantity or a transaction for the purpose of which an implied statement of quantity is made; and

(ii) the use is for the purpose of the determination or statement of that quantity.

Transaction in this context means the transferring or rendering of money or money’s worth in consideration of money or money’s worth, or the making of a payment in respect of any toll or duty. For example, an ESA where the consumer is signed up to a flexibility service and is rewarded based on the quantity of electricity saved at peak demand times, as measured against baseline use, will be ‘used for trade’.

Footnotes

1. “Used for trade” includes where a consumer is rewarded (in cash or in reward points with a monetary value) based on the meter’s energy usage readings. “Use for trade” is defined in section 7 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985. ↩

2. Consumer Led Flexibility involves giving consumers the choice to be rewarded for shifting electricity demand away from periods when it is scarce to when it is more abundant, cheaper and cleaner. ↩

3. An “active electrical energy meter” means a device which measures the active electrical energy consumed in a circuit which is intended for residential, commercial or light industrial use (Regulation 2(1) MIR). ↩

4. See paragraph 10.5 to Schedule 1A MIR. ↩

5. See regulation 3(2)(c) of MIR. ↩

6. Under metrological control means that a device is subject to legal requirements and regulations that ensure its accuracy and reliability. ↩