There are specific rules and process for any proposed change to the Data Integration Platform. This ensures changes are made in a controlled and auditable manner.
Proposing a change
Any person can submit a DIP Change Request (CR) – regardless of whether they are a DIP User.
If you want to submit a change request in a different way or need help developing it, please contact the DIP Manager for advice and support.
How change requests are assessed and decided
When you submit a change request, it is first reviewed and assessed by the DIP Manager.
- You may be contacted if further information is needed
- If the change is to be progressed, the DIP Manager will determine the appropriate progression route and explain the rationale, based on the type of change
- This will be documented and published as an Initial Assessment
For changes with cross-code impacts, the DIP Manager consults the Cross Code Steering Group (CCSG) and is bound by its determination.
As part of the assessment, the DIP Manager may:
- run consultations to gather feedback on:
- impacts
- costs
- implementation timescales
- impact on DIP Objectives
Consultations typically last at least 15 working days.
- convene workgroups to support the assessment or development of the change.
Following consultation and further analysis, the DIP Manager prepares a Final Assessment, which includes:
- a summary of the change
- assessment of impacts
- cost–benefit analysis
- proposed implementation date
- assessment against DIP Objectives
- recommendations
If the change requires amendments to the DIP Rules, the Final Assessment Report will also include the proposed drafting changes.
Decisions on:
- changes to the DIP system, or
- amendments to DIP Subsidiary Documents
are made either by:
- the DIP Manager, or
- the DIP Change and Advisory Board (DCAB), an advisory board of industry representatives.
DIP Manager decisions
The DIP Manager may approve non‑material changes (e.g. housekeeping), such as minor system updates or document clarifications.
DCAB decisions (material changes)
The DCAB makes decisions on changes that meet any of the following materiality criteria:
- implementation cost greater than £500,000 for the DIP Manager and/or £250,000 for DIP users
- new obligations on DIP users and/or the DIP Manager that require a change to a DIP user’s business operating model
- an implementation date more than 24 months after the date of decision.
You can appeal decisions made by the DIP Manager or the DCAB.
If you appeal a DIP Manager determination, the DCAB acts as an adjudicator and determines whether to uphold the appeal.
To appeal a DIP Manager decision, email [email protected] and we will provide you with guidance on what is needed for an appeal.
If you appeal a DCAB determination, Ofgem (the Authority) will act as an adjudicator and determines whether to uphold the appeal.
To appeal a DCAB decision, you must:
- follow the steps in Ofgem’s guidance on appeals of DCAB determinations (PDF)
- complete the DCAB determination appeal form (Word)
- email it to [email protected]
How Ofgem manages DCAB decision appeals
For more information how appeals of DCAB determinations are managed, you can read Ofgem’s decision letter, which followed their consultation on DCAB appeals guidance in August 2025:
How we communicate changes
The table below outlines how we will communicate different types of changes, the typical notice periods, and what each type of change means for you.
| Change type | How we communicate | Typical notice | What this means for you |
| Standard (planned) change | Email, website updates, release notes | 20 working days pre-deployment | Time to review and prepare for any impact |
| Urgent / emergency change | Email and website updates | 5 working days or as soon as practicable (where appropriate) | Changes may happen quickly to protect service stability or security. If an outage is required the DIP Manager endeavours to give 5 working days of notification to allow for DIP Users to react and get in contact if there are issues with the proposed outage.
Notification of change completion will also be provided once the outage has finished. |
| Other User system changes potentially impacting other DIP Users | Targeted communications to affected users | 5 working days | You will be notified if another party’s change affects your system |
Full guide to the DIP change process
This guide explains the different types of DIP changes, outlines the stages involved in the change process, describes how changes are assessed, details the decision-making process, and provides information on DIP change costs.