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Technical Assurance of Audited Entities
This section describes the function of the Technical Assurance technique, as detailed in 
BSCP535 ‘Technical Assurance’(114Kb)
and the key interfaces and responsibilities for the technique. It also explains how Technical Assurance fits into the Performance Assurance Framework (PAF) and the benefits that this particular technique offers for the continued integrity of the Settlement process.
Technical Assurance is one of the techniques within the PAF. The Performance Assurance Board (PAB) uses it as a responsive, detective technique to check compliance with obligations contained in the BSC, BSC Procedures, Party Service Lines, SVA Qualification Requirements (SAD), and the metering Codes of Practice (CoPs). As detailed in BSCP535, the following Qualified Persons can be ‘technically assured’ by the PAB or its Delegated Authority:
- Suppliers
- Supplier Agents
- Licensed Distributors acting as Unmetered Supplier Operators (UMSOs) and Supplier Meter Registration Agents (SMRAs)
- Meter Administrators (MAs)
Each year, the PAB agrees a scope of work for Technical Assurance, which is published further down this page. The scope will comprise groups of checks designed to provide assurance on high-risk processes and gap areas (those areas not covered by another technique within the PAF). The current scope of work and previous versions can be found in a table below.
ELEXON, when acting as the PAB’s Delegated Authority, selects Audited Entities for inclusion within a check based on the published scope of work, but will also take into account recommendations from the PAB, the Performance Assurance Administrator (PAA), the Qualifications Coordinator, the BSC Auditor and any Qualified Persons.
For all routine checks, the Delegated Authority will give at least 10 Working Days notification prior to the scheduled date of the check, including any requests for documentation. Upon completion of a check, an Inspection Schedule (form F535/06) will be completed categorising the results of the check as either ‘compliant’; ‘non-compliant’; ‘incomplete’; or ‘observation’ (as defined in BSCP535 4.5). The Delegated Authority will provide a copy of the results of the check to the Audited Entity.
In the case of non-compliance, the Audited Entity must provide rectification details to ELEXON within 10 Working Days of notification of the non-compliance. If however an Audited Entity disputes the results of the check then they will have 10 Working Days in which to query the results. If the Delegated Authority still records the check as non-compliant, the Audited Entity may raise an appeal with the PAB.
Approved Scope of Work Documents
The PAB approves a scope of work that details the checks to be undertaken. A
new scope document is normally approved by the PAB following the publication of
the BSC Audit Annual Report and generally applies to the time between the
publication of one report and the next report. Each scope
contains details of the checks to be performed by ELEXON (or another delegated
authority of the PAB) during the period to which the scope applies.
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Annual Report
Every year ELEXON produces an annual report detailing the results of the checks
completed as detailed in the relevant scope of work. This report is presented
to the PAB. For the first time a non-confidential version of this report has
been produced and is available for download.
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Summaries of Technical Assurance Checks Completed
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