May 18, 2020

Ofcom has published an update on the process for bringing in new rules that will apply once the EECC comes into force in the UK.

In December 2019, Ofcom consulted on introducing a number of new customer rights from the EECC, which the UK is required to bring into law. Ofcom says that it and the UK Government continue to work towards transposition of the EECC by 21 December 2020. It plans to publish a statement on introducing the new rights in September 2020, subject to the Government confirming its approach to introducing the EECC into UK law before then.

However, Ofcom says that it recognises that the coronavirus pandemic has brought significant challenges to communications providers, including higher demand for their services and the need to prioritise support for vulnerable customers. Therefore, providers are likely to need additional time to make the necessary changes to their systems and processes to comply with the new rules being introduced by the EECC.

Ofcom therefore intends to allow providers at least 12 months from the date of its statement to make the new rights available to customers. If certain rules require very significant changes to providers’ systems, the implementation period may be longer.

Ofcom says that it will set out the specific implementation deadlines for each of the new rules it intends to bring in, when it publishes its statement later this year. To access the update, click here.