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“The UIA is custodian of the premier code for TPIs”
In this column in the 11 November issue, Allen Creedy of the FSB said Ofgem has been slow to take the lead in plans for a Code of Practice (CoP) for third-party intermediaries (TPIs).
The Utilities Intermediaries Association (UIA), a member of the FSB, has attended energy meetings with the FSB, Ofgem, Decc and Number 10. One of the reasons why Ofgem is not proceeding with the CoP is that it is shifting from prescriptive to principles-based regulation. There are also possible legal reasons in that Ofgem has no powers to directly regulate TPIs and is unable to collect money from them. However it can apply for injunctions under the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations legislation. It could apply for extra powers to regulate TPIs, which would be costly to the customer and could be terminal to smaller TPIs.
This then leaves the status quo: Eon, which has promoted its “TPI Code of Practice”, which has only ever covered business that is placed with Eon’s SME department.
The UIA is custodian of the premier code that incorporates an independent redress scheme that protects the consumer on all aspects of a TPI’s work, regardless of supplier. The code can be signed up to by the TPI outside of trade association membership for a very small sum.
Trade associations such as the FSB are in a position to encourage their members to use TPIs that are signed to a CoP and set an example in their own commercial activities.
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