Basic Electricity Supply Ordinance.

The present Ordinance lays down provisions relating to general terms regulating universal service for household customers and replacement supply via the low voltage network. In particular, the Ordinance establishes that the supply companies must comply with the rules of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). Furthermore, the supply company with the highest market share in a given network area is responsible for the basic supply subject to the present Ordinance. In addition, basic suppliers must publish their basic tariff and supply household customers in accordance with the provisions of the present Ordinance. The Ordinance was updated to strengthen consumer protection in the basic and replacement electricity supply regime, including clearer contractual safeguards and rules preventing suppliers from refusing basic supply contracts due to prior payment arrears. The amendments also adjusted provisions on supply interruption, contract handling, and procedural requirements to improve transparency and better protect household customers. The text consists of 23 articles divided into 6 Parts as follows: General provisions (I); Supply (2); Tasks and rights of the basic supplier (3); Settlement of energy supply (4); Conditions of basic supply (5); Final provisions (6).