EIEP4A Medically dependent consumer information

Upcoming Open Closed Decision

View submissions Submissions closed 28 January 2025

Decision

The Authority has decided to introduce a new protocol to regulate the information retailers and distributors share about consumers who are medically dependent on electricity, from 1 April.

The EIEP4A: Medically Dependent Consumer Information (EIEP4A) will support retailers’ obligations to share information about medically dependent consumers with distributors, so medically dependent consumers receive the right level of care and consideration when it comes to power outages – both planned and unplanned.

The new EIEP4A will ensure consistent, reliable and timely exchange of medically dependent consumer information between retailers and distributors, while safeguarding consumer privacy and data security.

EIEP4A will ensure distributors have visibility of medically dependent consumers at an ICP level on their network, enabling them to use this information when planning and undertaking work on the network. This information can also be used by distributors who are responsible for notifying consumers of outages.

In response to consultation feedback, the Authority made changes to its EIEP4A proposal, including clarifying the relationship between EIEP4A and the existing, non-regulated EIEP4: Customer Information (EIEP4). This change reduces the potential for any data conflicts between the two protocols and clarifies that EIEP4A data takes precedence over EIEP4 data.

The Authority thanks stakeholders for their continued engagement on the Consumer Care Obligations work. On 7 March, we republished the decision paper to correct an error identified in Appendix B.