Why are the commitments in the Small Business Energy Charter voluntary? 

The aim of the charter is to provide enhanced protections to consumers during the winter (between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026). 

Voluntary commitments allow us to review and be responsive to consumer needs each year and to implement these changes quickly. Mandatory commitments would have put this flexibility at risk. This is because mandatory measures are implemented via changes to the supplier licences and this can only take place after a lengthy consultation process.