Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten announces an action plan to tackle the malpractice of certain energy suppliers. The energy sector will have one last chance to eliminate the problems with door-to-door sales, otherwise a total ban threatens.
In recent months, the Ombudsman for Energy, the federal energy regulator CREG and Van der Straeten themselves have been “flooded with complaints” from consumers about their energy contract or bill, according to the minister. For example, energy contracts with a fixed price suddenly become variable or an expensive contract is sometimes promoted through door-to-door sales, while suppliers are legally obliged to offer the cheapest variant.
Van der Straeten wants to tackle these malpractice. “Some suppliers take every opportunity to change rates or contracts, including illegally.” In view of the high and volatile energy prices, this is “more unacceptable than ever”, says Van der Straeten.
In concrete terms, the minister gives the sector one last chance to improve the quality of door-to-door sales. Before the end of the month, there must be a collective code of conduct to ban malpractice, warns Van der Straeten. If that proves insufficient, there is a threat of a total ban on door-to-door sales.
The problems with door-to-door sales have been going on for too long. I want to protect consumers from malpractice
“The door-to-door problems have been going on for too long. I want to protect consumers from malpractice.” At the same time, this measure is also in the interest of the suppliers, says Van der Straeten. “The less expensive the contracts that are entered into through door-to-door sales, the fewer payment arrangements the suppliers will have to offer their customers.”
In addition, there will also be an information and awareness campaign in collaboration with the FPS Economy to point out to consumers their rights vis-à-vis energy suppliers.
Finally, Van der Straeten asked the CREG to set up a working group that will bring together the Ombudsman Service for Energy and the Economic Inspectorate to identify complaints and respond more quickly.
Read also: Luminus offers customers an undesirable expensive energy contract: “I will never trust anyone on the phone again” (+)
also watch: Should I opt for a fixed or variable energy contract?
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