Governing Frameworks

SOPEG provides energy consultancy and procurement services within a market governed by UK energy legislation and regulatory oversight. While SOPEG is not an energy supplier, our services are delivered in alignment with the legal and regulatory structures that govern the UK gas and electricity markets.

Key legislation influencing our activities includes:

• Electricity Act 1989
   
• Gas Act 1986
   
• Utilities Act 2000
   
• Energy Acts (2004, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016)
   
• Energy Act 2023
   

These laws establish the structure of the UK energy market, define regulatory powers, and underpin consumer and business protections relevant to procurement and advisory services.

The UK energy market is regulated by Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets). Although energy consultants and procurers are not currently licensed by Ofgem, our work operates within a regulatory ecosystem shaped by:

• Supplier licence conditions
   
• Market conduct requirements
   
• Transparency and disclosure standards
   
• Consumer protection rules
   

SOPEG ensures that our advisory and procurement activities do not contribute to, or rely upon, non-compliant market behaviour.

Energy consultants and brokers are classed as Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) within the retail energy market.

The UK Government has confirmed its intention to bring TPIs under formal regulatory oversight, with Ofgem expected to act as the regulator. This forthcoming framework is expected to introduce requirements around:

• Registration or authorisation
   
• Standards of conduct
   
• Transparency of fees and commissions
   
• Monitoring, compliance and enforcement
   

SOPEG proactively aligns its operations with these emerging expectations to ensure regulatory readiness.

SOPEG is committed to full transparency in all commercial arrangements.

Our governance principles include:

• Clear disclosure of fees, commissions or remuneration structures
   
• No misleading pricing, savings claims or market representations
   
• Transparent explanation of supplier relationships where applicable
   
• Active identification and management of conflicts of interest
   

We support Ofgem’s enhanced transparency requirements introduced from October 2024 and operate in a manner consistent with those principles.

SOPEG complies with UK consumer and business protection legislation, including:

• Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008
   
• Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (where applicable)
   
• Misrepresentation Act 1967
   
• UK contract and negligence law
   

All advice, marketing materials and procurement recommendations are designed to be accurate, evidence-based and fair.

SOPEG conducts its activities in accordance with UK competition law, including:

• Competition Act 1998
   
• Enterprise Act 2002
   

We do not engage in, support or facilitate anti-competitive practices, supplier collusion, market manipulation or unfair procurement processes.

Where SOPEG supports public sector or regulated bodies, we align our services with statutory procurement requirements, including:

• Procurement Act 2023 (effective from February 2025)
   
• Principles of transparency, fairness and proportionality
   

Our procurement support is designed to complement, not undermine, formal procurement obligations.

SOPEG recognises the importance of safeguarding sensitive information.

We comply with:

• UK GDPR
   
• Data Protection Act 2018
   

Client data is handled securely, lawfully and confidentially, with appropriate organisational and technical controls in place.

SOPEG operates to high professional standards, including:

• Acting in the best interests of clients
   
• Maintaining independence and integrity
   
• Keeping clear records of advice and decisions
   
• Ongoing review of regulatory and legislative developments
   

Our governance framework is reviewed regularly to reflect changes in legislation, regulation and industry best practice.