The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) and E-Control have jointly published Fairness Guidelines designed to enhance the conduct of electricity and gas suppliers. These guidelines recommend eight responsible actions that suppliers should adopt to safeguard consumer interests and promote competition.

Wolfgang Urbantschitsch, Executive Director of E-Control, emphasized that these guidelines go beyond existing legal standards, providing practical rules of conduct for suppliers. Key recommendations include striving for pro-competitive behavior, ensuring non-discriminatory treatment of all customers, designing consumer-friendly products, and increasing market transparency.

A draft of the Fairness Guidelines was open for discussion among industry stakeholders from December 9, 2025, to January 20, 2026, with feedback incorporated into the final version. The guidelines were officially published on March 19, 2026.

Suppliers are encouraged to voluntarily commit to these guidelines, with those who do being publicly listed on the AFCA website. This initiative aims to foster a sense of responsibility among suppliers and promote fair competition in the small-volume consumer market.