What is the UIA (Utilities Intermediaries Association)?
The Utilities Intermediaries Association (UIA) is a Trade Association that promotes and enhances the reputation of Third Party Intermediaries (TPI's) in the Energy industry in order to give confidence to those consumers who use their services. (TPI's are also know as brokers, consultants or agents)
How do they do it?
They maintain a register of members who have met standards of membership and sign to a code of practice. They then become subject to a consumers redress scheme and disciplinary process. These documents can be viewed on their website www.uia.org.uk .They have access to Government Regulatory and Consumer bodies as well as Suppliers and continually strive through lobbying to improve the consumer experience
Why are they important?
Purchasing your energy from a TPI is an unregulated area. Therefore, as a business, you have little, or no, protection from underhand sales tactics that tie you in to a binding energy contract that may not suit your business needs and then be difficult to terminate.
Many reputable TPI’s decided to form a self regulating body that would promote their integrity and restore consumers’ confidence.
It is supported by energywatch (the consumer watchdog), Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, the industry regulator), the Department of Trade and Industry and some major energy supply companies have also become members.
It offers the customer a guarantee of satisfaction when dealing with a member, a form of redress if things go wrong and prevents customers falling victim to rogue TPI’s if they use a UIA member.
How can I spot a UIA member?
They will never use any of the underhand tactics above to secure your business.
All full members will display the UIA Boat Mark on their websites or correspondence.
You will find a full list of members, and the Code of Practice, at www.uia.org.uk
IF AN ORGANISATION SAYS THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THE UIA AND DO NOT APPEAR ON THE UIA WEB SITE ALWAYS LET THE UIA KNOW VIA enquiries@uia.org