Notice

Non-domestic smart meter rollout: energy supplier obligations

Updated 1 September 2026

Detailed below are the binding obligations as set out in the standard energy supplier licence conditions (SLCs).

Scope of obligations

If metering in a non-domestic site falls under electricity profile classes 1-4 or has gas consumption below 732 MWh/year (these tend to be smaller non-domestic sites), then it will be covered by what is referred to as the ‘smart metering mandate’ and be in scope of smart meter rollout obligations.

Large electricity supplies (profile classes 5-8 and 00) and large gas supplies (consumption over 732 MWh/year) are required by energy supply licence conditions (regulated by Ofgem) to have advanced meters fitted. These tend to be larger non-domestic organisations, such as Industrial and Commercial (I&C) businesses.

Obligations with respect to the non-domestic smart meter rollout post-2025 (smart-contingent contracts)

• SLC 53 (Electricity)
• SLC 47 (Gas)
• Retail Energy Code Schedule (Consumer Protection Code)

The government’s response to its consultation (September 2026) on the non-domestic smart meter rollout post-2025 confirmed several new obligations on energy suppliers to support the Clean Power 2030 Mission and protect non-domestic consumers in the transition to smart-contingent contracts. These are:

• a universal implementation requirement coming into effect from 1 September 2027: after this date, if energy suppliers enter into new fixed term energy contracts with non-domestic customers, they must ensure the contract includes a term which provides that the customer has, or agrees to have, smart or advanced meters installed in their designated premises
• a universal communication requirement coming into effect from 1 January 2027: after this date, suppliers must start to communicate the upcoming policy changes so that non-domestic consumers understand what is expected, why and when
• a requirement on energy suppliers to be fully compliant with a legally binding consumer protection code (to be introduced as a new schedule to the Retail Energy Code) by 1 September 2027

Find more information on the non-domestic smart meter rollout post-2025 (smart-contingent contracts)

Obligations with respect to previous smart meter installation targets (2022 to 2025)

The Smart Meter Targets Framework set energy suppliers annual minimum smart meter installation targets and ran from 2022 to 2025.

• SLC 39 (Electricity)
• SLC 33 (Gas)

In June 2020, the government confirmed a 4-year policy Framework (the ‘Targets Framework’) with fixed minimum annual installation targets for energy suppliers, subject to tolerance levels. The 4-year framework applied to all domestic and non-domestic energy suppliers and took effect from 1 January 2022. Non-domestic specific targets were introduced for all energy suppliers for Year 3 (2024) and Year 4 (2025) of the Framework. This change ensured that the benefits of smart meters are maximised in both domestic and non-domestic sectors.

Find more information on past targets.

Obligations with respect to meter choice

• SLC 39 (Electricity)
• SLC 33 (Gas)

Microbusinesses covered by the smart meter mandate must be offered SMETS meters by their energy supplier, subject to roll-out duty exceptions.

In 2018 the government confirmed changes in licence conditions which allowed energy suppliers to offer non-microbusiness energy consumers with sites covered by the smart metering mandate a choice between an advanced meter and a SMETS meter.

Suppliers are permitted to offer SMETS only metering to their non-microbusiness customers if they wish to do so. However, where a supplier chooses to offer an advanced meter, the choice must also include the offer of a SMETS meter. If an energy supplier does offer a choice to non-microbusinesses, they must explain the differences between these metering solutions so organisations can make an informed decision regarding the most suitable metering solution for their needs.

Obligations with respect to the Consolidated Metering Code of Practice (COMCoP)

• SLC 42 (Electricity)
• SLC 36 (Gas)
• Retail Energy Code

The COMCoP specifies the activities involved in installing, maintaining, and managing electricity and gas meters. It sets out the minimum standards that shall be complied with by those registered to perform work within the scope of the CoMCoP. It is a consolidation of 4 previous Codes of Practice into one combined document. The CoMCoP has replaced these previous Codes of Practice: 

• Metering Operators Code of Practice (MOCoP)
• Metering Code of Practice (MCOP)
• Automated Meter Reading (AMR) Service Providers Code of Practice (ASPCoP)
• Smart Metering Installation Schedule (SMIS)

Non-Domestic Aspects of the Smart Metering Installation Schedule (SMIS):

Energy Efficiency Advice: Includes provisions for providing tailored energy efficiency advice to microbusinesses at a time appropriate to their needs during the installation process.

Installation process: Includes provisions to accommodate reasonable requirements of a microbusiness when scheduling a visit, taking all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of the install on a microbusiness and notifying them of any relevant charges in advance.

See the CoMCoP.

Obligations with respect to the New and Replacement Obligation

• SLC 39 (Electricity)
• SLC 33 (Gas)

The New and Replacement Obligation (NRO) came into effect in 2019 and requires energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to install a compliant smart meter wherever a meter is replaced or where a meter is installed for the first time (such as in new premises) at domestic and non-domestic premises. The NRO is subject to exemptions that mirror the smart meter roll-out duty exceptions.

Obligations with respect to customer data

• SLC 51 (Electricity)
• SLC 45 (Gas)

In 2022 energy supplier obligations were strengthened to improve the data offer that non-domestic energy customers receive with their smart meter, to help them save costs and reduce energy consumption. Below is a summary of supplier obligations:

• an on-request data offer: since 1 December 2022 non-domestic consumers (of all sizes) and their nominated third parties can request free access to up to 12 months of their historic smart or advanced meter energy use data from their energy supplier. Energy suppliers must respond to requests within 10 working days.
• awareness raising requirements with respect to data: since 1 December 2022 energy suppliers must regularly raise all non-domestic customers’ awareness of the routes by which they can access, or nominate a third party to access, their smart or advanced meter energy use data for free.
• a default data offer: since 1 October 2024 energy suppliers must provide, or make available, free, user-accessible energy use information to smaller non-domestic customers with smart or advanced meters, for example, via an app, data tool or online platform.

Find more information on customer data.

Obligations with respect to operating Smart Metering Systems

• SLC 48, 49 (Electricity)
• SLC 42, 43 (Gas)

The government decided in August 2017 that all energy suppliers to non-domestic premises should use the DCC for the operation of SMETS2 meters. This decision was taken to ensure that non-domestic consumers with smart meters had access to fully interoperable smart meters and the benefits that this brings.

Most energy suppliers to non-domestic premises were required to become DCC Users by 31 August 2018 (the ‘DCC User mandate’). Energy suppliers to larger non-domestic consumers, with only advanced meters, are exempt from the DCC User mandate. Suppliers are also responsible for ensuring that smart meters operate as intended and send automatic readings to suppliers. Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against their obligations.