Skip to content
British Energy ComplianceUTILITIES · ADVISORY · ASSURANCE
Glossary

Standards of Conduct

Ofgem's overarching licence-condition obligation requiring suppliers to treat customers fairly across all stages of their interaction.

The Standards of Conduct are Standard Licence Condition 0 in the supply licences held by every UK gas and electricity supplier. They are deliberately broad and outcome-focused, requiring suppliers to behave in a way that is fair, honest, transparent and professional in every aspect of their interaction with customers — from sales and marketing through contract performance to complaints handling.

The four overarching outcomes:

  • Behaviour that is honest and transparent.
  • Treatment that is appropriate to the customer's circumstances, particularly where they are in vulnerable circumstances.
  • Information provided in a clear and accessible way.
  • Responsiveness in resolving customer issues, including complaints.

The Standards of Conduct sit above the more specific licence conditions on back-billing, microbusiness protections, smart-meter rollout obligations and so on. In practice they function as the catch-all that Ofgem can rely on when a supplier's behaviour is plainly poor but does not breach any specific rule. For customers escalating a complaint, citing the Standards of Conduct alongside the specific licence condition that has been breached strengthens the position considerably.

Free · No obligation · 48-hour turnaround

Send us one bill. We'll send back every overcharge — and the cheapest legitimate replacement.

Whether you run a Mayfair restaurant group or rent a flat in Salford, the audit is the same and the fee is the same: nothing, unless we save you money.

Get my free audit Call 07741 308461

Mon–Fri · 8:30am – 6:30pm · Replies inside one working day