Consumer Care Guidelines annual alignment statements due

The Electricity Authority would like to remind retailers that their alignment statement 2023/24 for the Consumer Care Guidelines is due by 9 August 2024.

We will send out instructions on how to complete and submit the alignment statement via our Information Provision Platform on 9 July 2024.

This will be the final annual alignment statement under the voluntary system, as the Guidelines will be mandatory from 1 January 2024. We intend to publish a report on the alignment findings on our website.

The Authority’s work to mandate the Consumer Care Guidelines by 2025 is on track and will help protect the interests of domestic consumers. We will consult on a proposed amendment to the Electricity Industry Participation Code 2010 to mandate the Guidelines in August/September 2024.

“This will be a significant Code amendment under our new additional objective to protect domestic consumers,” says Market Policy General Manager, Andrew Millar.

“The Guidelines are all about protecting consumers. Mandating and implementing them is a major effort, and our team is working hard to ensure they are effective for consumers and retailers in Aotearoa.”

The Authority will work to educate retailers of their new obligations and consumers of their rights.

“Education for both consumers and retailers will be a priority in the first half of 2025. We want to ensure consumers understand their rights under the mandated Guidelines, and retailers are ready to implement them from 1 January 2025,” comments Millar.

For any queries, please contact retailpolicy@ea.govt.nz

About the Consumer Care Guidelines