ACCC issues draft decision on B2B code changes

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued its draft determination on changes to the National Electricity Code relating to business to business (B2B) communications.

"The proposed B2B governance arrangements will further facilitate full retail competition by allowing retailers and distributors to exchange information more easily and efficiently", an ACCC Commissioner, Mr Ed Willett, said.

"There is a large volume of information exchanged daily between retailers and distributors relating to customer transfers and billing. The current procedures involve manual processes such as telephone, email, and manual file transfers.  Further, there are different arrangements between the various jurisdictions in the National Electricity Market.

"The new arrangements provide for the standardisation and automation of B2B activity across the National Electricity Market. A new central B2B electronic Hub will be created to handle all the relevant customer and site information".

To assist its final decision, the ACCC invites comment on the draft determination by 3 June 2005.  Submissions should be directed to: Mr Sebastian Roberts, General Manager, Electricity, GPO Box 520J Melbourne 3001 or by email to electricity.group@accc.gov.au.