The Energy and Climate Change Ministers’ Council (ECMC) has formally endorsed a National Technical Regulatory Framework for Consumer Energy Resources (CER), marking a major step toward nationally consistent regulation of emerging technologies such as solar, batteries and electric vehicle chargers.
As part of this decision, the ECMC also agreed to initial interoperability requirements for CER devices, strengthening national alignment and supporting the safe integration of technologies such as electric vehicle-to-grid systems and virtual power plants. These requirements will commence on a voluntary basis, operating until the national regulator (proposed to be the Clean Energy Regulator) is formally established.
The framework has been developed to support Australia’s transition to electrification while improving consistency across jurisdictions, without disrupting existing state and territory electrical safety legislation and regulations.
At the heart of the framework are five key regulatory pillars, to be delivered through accreditation schemes and active regulatory stewardship:
- Establishing national CER technical requirements
- Mandatory accreditation of CER devices
- Mandatory installer accreditation and accountability
- Mandatory updating of CER connection information
- Support CER system integrity
MEA has been actively involved in the consultation process and the CER Taskforce Reference Group to ensure the voice of CER installers is reflected in the national roadmap. We have had a particular focus on the accreditation system and ensuring it remains as efficient and user-friendly as possible for installers, while continuing to uphold high standards of safety and quality in CER installations.
We congratulate the ECMC’s decision to endorse a National Technical Regulatory Framework and commend them for advancing a structured, forward-looking approach that supports industry certainty and Australia’s clean energy transition.
Together, these reforms provide a clear pathway toward a more consistent, nationally coordinated approach to CER regulation; giving industry greater certainty as technologies, markets and consumer expectations continue to evolve. MEA will remain involved in consultations as the detailed design progresses and will keep members informed.
