The Energy Task Force, made up of the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) and Energie-Control Austria (E-Control), published its final report in June 2025. In it, the two institutions announced that they would be preparing Fairness Guidance and drawing up guiding principles on competition for electricity and gas suppliers in the Austrian consumer market. “Energy markets are one of our focus areas. Our Fairness Guidance marks another step towards fairer market conditions and prices, and it should support compliance efforts in these markets. Businesses and third parties are invited to submit their views on our draft guidance document,” explains Natalie Harsdorf, Director General of the AFCA.
Goal: fair and reliable conditions
The Fairness Guidance lists rules of conduct for electricity and gas suppliers that should be considered as complementary to existing legal minimum standards. “Our goal is to ensure that all market participants, and consumers in particular, have access to fair and reliable framework conditions and also to promote a competition-friendly approach on the part of companies,” says Wolfgang Urbantschitsch, Executive Director of E-Control.
Natalie Harsdorf adds: “This Guidance focuses on discrimination as seen in ambiguously worded contracts or the unfair treatment of different customer groups. In addition, it contains tips for suppliers relating to transparency and consumer protection. This includes offering monthly bills and preparing for possible crisis situations.”
The AFCA and E-Control Task Force
Following the market turbulence in 2022, the AFCA and E-Control set up their Energy Task Force back in 2023 and have been analysing the Austrian electricity and gas market in several respects since then. The extensive analysis carried out by the Task Force showed that competition had declined and is only just picking up again. Cross-holdings, regional fragmentation and a lack of transparency have been identified as structural barriers to competition.
The Fairness Guidance is not legally binding, meaning that neither Austrian courts or authorities nor European institutions are bound by it. Any existing statutory provisions remain unaffected and must be fully complied with in all circumstances.
Consultation
The consultation on the Fairness Guidance starts on 9 December 2025 and runs for six weeks until 20 January 2026. Electricity and gas suppliers, as well as any other stakeholders, are invited to email their views to konsultation@bwb.gv.at. The final version is scheduled to be published in February 2026.
Fairness Guidance for electricity and gas suppliers (in german)