The authorities have noted that customers looking for a more advantageous contract often turn to an online comparator. But in these comparison sites, some suppliers manage to climb to the top of the good deals, with contracts that are expensive but come with attractive welcome offers. Often, however, the promised reduction is dependent on strict conditions, which require, for example, the customer to keep the same contract for a year or even two.
Ministers wish to counter these practices which risk misleading consumers about the real cost of the desired contract. From January 2027, reductions offered as welcome offers can only be displayed if they apply from the very start of the contract.
Better supervision of increases
Along the same lines, price increases for fixed contracts will be better regulated: the product itself will have to change its name if the price is increased, so that it is clear to the consumer. The administrative costs billed to customers can no longer be calculated automatically over a year or six months, but must correspond to the actual period of consumption, when someone terminates their contract.
A QR code will also appear on invoices, allowing customers to see where their contract is located in relation to the rest of the market.
There will be a “uniform structure” of invoices for “all suppliers, with a clear breakdown of all costs (energy, network costs and taxes), without hidden elements leading to confusion”, summarizes the office of Minister Mathieu Bihet.
The package of measures as a whole should allow an annual saving of 500 euros on average, for 2 million families, according to Rob Beenders.
It is the CREG which will be responsible for ensuring the proper application of these rules, also with annual monitoring, according to the Bihet cabinet.
