Becoming a retailer

Are you interested in becoming a retailer? Here you can find out more about what it means to be a retailer in the non-household market.

We are not currently accepting applications

We have temporarily suspended licence applications until Market Health Check processes are fully implemented. To learn more about our decision, browse our retail market consultations.

Learn more

 

 

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Once you have read our information on what it means to be a retailer in the retail non-household market, you can submit an application to us for water and / or sewerage services licences.

Licence holders are eligible to: 

  • compete for all business (non-household) customers in Scotland;
  • supply customers who receive a discount to their wholesale charge;
  • participate in the CMA technical panel;
  • nominate and vote for members of the CMA board.


Licence holders are required to pay licence fees and CMA charges. Equally important, licence holders must also offer a default package of services and tariffs to all customers. 

A Licensed Provider must be able to provide such evidence as required by Scottish Water in line with the financial resilience statement published by Scottish Water and available on its website.

You can find more information about retailer responsibilities and licence fees below: 

Licence fees information

Retailer responsibilities

Applying for a licence

The 2005 Act introduced the licensing framework for the water industry in Scotland. It requires that water services and sewerage services providers be licensed and that applications for licences be made to WICS. We may grant licences but must first be satisfied that applicants are able to perform adequately the activities authorised by the licence.

Submit your licence application

Once you have decided that you would like to apply for a water and / or sewerage services licence(s), you can begin completing our licence application form.

Further guidance about the process, timescales and fees can be found as part of the general licence application guidance document.

Licence application form

General licence application guidance

Please note that you must submit your licence application form along with your licence fee. Although not compulsory, you may also wish to submit a business plan to us in support of your application.

For new licence applications or any questions in relation to new applications, please contact us at competitionteam@watercommission.co.uk.

We will review your application (including all supporting information such as business plans) to determine whether you have the ability to perform adequately the activities authorised by the licence for which the application has been made. Please note that we may request additional information from you if required.

Get in touch for more information or to submit your application

Sign up to the market and operational codes

All retailers are required to agree and comply with the relevant market and operational codes of the retail non-household market.

The Operational Code governs the way in which Scottish Water provides its wholesale services to retailers (such as new connections, metering and trade effluent).

The Market Code sets out the duties of market participants and the market’s governance arrangements. It also covers the set up and governance of the Central Market Agency (CMA) and provides a series of technical specifications (Code Subsidiary Documents) for the way the CMA calculates wholesale charges.

These codes clearly outline the manner through which interactions can occur between a retailer and Scottish Water, and your obligations to business customers and other industry stakeholders.

Complete Central Market Agency training

All retailers are required to complete and obtain a formal accreditation from the Central Market Agency (CMA). This formal training process will attest your capacity to fully utilise the central market systems as part of your daily activities as a retailer.

Applicants should notify WICS that they have completed their accreditation as soon as this as has been completed.

You may wish to contact the CMA for more information on this training.

Agree Wholesale Services Agreement with Scottish Water

The Wholesale Services Agreement (WSA) is a template contract issued by the Commission that is used as the baseline for the contractual agreement between each retailer and Scottish Water. All retailers must agree their WSA with Scottish Water.

Please note that you must keep us up to date with progress and share with us your final agreement.

Wholesale service agreement

Undertake a Market Health Check

Any new entrant is required to complete a Market Health Check within six months from the signing of their Wholesale Service Agreement. The Market Health Check allows market participants to demonstrate their compliance with their licence and high standards of conduct. This process can also be used by retailers to improve their business and obtain a formal accreditation from an independent Market Health Checker.

 

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