
New rules governing face-to-face and telephone-based marketing practices will come into force this week, designed to protect consumers from unfair practices by suppliers.
In February 2008, Ofgem launched the Energy Supply Probe, an investigation into the markets in electricity and gas supply for households and small businesses.
The regulator said suppliers should improve the information that they provide to customers on their bills and in a new annual statement going to customers from July 2010, and improve the conduct of their sales and marketing activities.
Ofgem said new rules would help consumers including low-income households and small businesses to be armed with better information. Ofgem will look to these standards when considering any enforcement action.