The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) and Energie-Control Austria (E-Control) have collaborated to create Fairness Guidance for electricity and gas suppliers in the Austrian consumer market. This initiative follows their final report published in June 2025, which highlighted the need for fairer market conditions and prices.

The Fairness Guidance outlines rules of conduct for suppliers, aiming to complement existing legal standards. The goal is to ensure that all market participants, especially consumers, have access to fair and reliable conditions. Key focuses include preventing discrimination in contracts and promoting transparency and consumer protection.

In response to market challenges identified in 2022, the AFCA and E-Control established an Energy Task Force in 2023 to analyze the electricity and gas market. Their findings indicated a decline in competition due to structural barriers such as cross-holdings and regional fragmentation.

While the Fairness Guidance is not legally binding, it serves as a framework for suppliers to enhance compliance and improve market practices. The consultation period for stakeholders to provide feedback runs from December 9, 2025, to January 20, 2026, with the final version expected in February 2026.