Consumer Rights Directive – Energy Sector Has 2 Years To Get Ready

On November 22 2011, the Consumer Rights Directive was published by the Official Journal of the European Union and includes an express provision that EU member states "adopt and publish by 13 December 2013, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive".

Thereby, member states have two years in which to ensure legislative compliance with the Directive, with the laws having effect within 6 months of the date of implementation. As the countdown period is fast approaching, we thought we would summarise the key changes.

Some key provisions of the Directive for those businesses dealing with consumers in the Energy Sector including those involved in utilities and in the Green Deal are as follows: