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Information exchange
Information relating to gas connections (ICPs) and gas consumption is routinely exchanged between gas market participants for a variety of reasons. Files are also exchanged between central IT systems such as the gas registry and gas allocation system as part of the orderly functioning of the gas market.
Specifying and standardising the format for information exchange creates efficiencies and allows participants to automate the production, transmission and receipt of information.
In 2010, Gas Industry Co appointed the Information Exchange File Formats Working Group (IEFFWG) to create file formats required under governance arrangements, propose changes to existing file formats and develop further protocols for exchanges of information between industry participants. This led to the development of the four current GIEPs.
While the file formats are not mandated under any regulatory arrangements, they are provided as a guideline, in order to support improvement of industry practices.
Proposals for substantial changes to file formats, or newly developed file formats, will generally be subject to broader industry consultation.
Consultation 2025
On 13 May 2025, consultation opened on the introduction of addition GIEPs and the review of existing GIEPs. Submissions should be forwarded to Gas Industry Co Consultations by 5.00pm on Friday 13 June 2025.
For more information, visit the Gas Information Exchange Protocols (GIEPs) Developing page.
Current GIEPs
File formats that have been approved by the Information Exchange File Formats Working Group are set out below. The file formats echo the equivalent protocols in the electricity industry and incorporate changes resulting from industry consultation in 2010/2011.
Related documents
Background
2010 Consultation on proposed information exchange file formats
In 2010, Gas Industry Co invited submissions on four file formats proposed by the Information Exchange File Formats Working Group.
Use of these file formats is not mandated by any set of governance arrangements, but equivalent protocols are currently used in the electricity industry for exchanges of information between retailers and network owners.
Related documents
Submissions
Developing
GIEPs specify and standardise the format for exchanging information between gas industry participants, to streamline the exchange processes and ensure consistency and compatibility with industry agreed standards.
Four voluntary GIEPs were developed in consultation with industry in 2010 and 2011. These GIEPs echo the equivalent protocols in the electricity industry for information exchanged between retailers and network owners.
We are now seeking input from industry on the potential introduction of additional voluntary GIEPS and the drafting of these, as well as feedback on ways to improve the four GIEPs currently in place.
Consultation: 2025
On 13 May 2025, the consultation opened on the introduction of addition GIEPs and the review of existing GIEPs.
Some of the proposed GIEPs relate to gas industry developments, while others relate to areas where additional Electricity Information Exchange Protocols (EIEPs) have been developed, the equivalent of which in the gas industry may enhance the efficiency of gas industry processes.
The proposed GIEPs are in are in response to the following gas industry developments:
- Advanced gas meters
- Gas Consumer Care Guidelines
- Use of system agreements (UoSAs) between distributors and retailers
- Further alignment with Electricity Information Exchange Protocols
The consultation paper is available below.
Submissions should be forwarded to Gas Industry Co Consultations by 5.00pm on Friday 13 June 2025.