
COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 establishing a network code on interoperability and data exchange rules (Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 and in particular Article 6(11) thereof;
Whereas:

(1) Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 defines several tasks for the European network of transmission system operators for gas (‘Entsog’) and for the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators established by Regulation (EC) No 713/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the ‘Agency’). Amongst these is the development of European-wide network codes in the areas referred to in Article 8(6) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 to be applied by all transmission system operators for gas.

(2) In order to encourage and facilitate efficient gas trading and transmission across gas transmission systems within the Union, and thereby to move towards greater internal market integration, a network code on interoperability and data exchange rules as referred to in Article 8(6)(e) and (d) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 should be established, on the basis of a draft developed by Entsog and recommended by the Agency and in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009.

(3) The lack of harmonisation in technical, operational and communication areas could create barriers to the free flow of gas in the Union, thus hampering market integration. Union interoperability and data exchange rules should allow the necessary harmonisation in those areas, therefore leading to effective market integration. For that purpose and for facilitating commercial and operational cooperation between adjacent transmission system operators, this Regulation should address interconnection agreements, units, gas quality, odourisation and data exchange. It should provide rules and procedures to reach an appropriate level of harmonisation towards efficient gas trading and transport across gas transmission systems in the Union.

(4) Adjacent transmission system operators should reinforce transparency as well as cooperation between them where differences in gas quality and odourisation practices at either side of an interconnection point might create an obstacle to gas market integration. The obligations provided for in this Regulation with particular regard to gas quality and odourisation are without prejudice to the competences of Member States.

(5) The provisions of this Regulation relating to gas quality should provide effective solutions without prejudice to the adoption of a European-wide standard for high-calorific gas as is being developed by CEN pursuant to the standardisation process under mandate M/400.

(6) The interoperability rules fixed in Articles 13, 17 and 18 aim at ensuring market integration as prescribed by Article 8(7) of the Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 and have a broader scope of application than solely interconnection points.

(7) Article 13 of this Regulation does not affect the units or reference conditions used by Member States for the purposes of Article 1(2) of Directive 2009/142/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. The concerned parties may use the conversion table in the Annex in line with EN ISO 13443 ‘Natural Gas — Standard reference conditions’.

(8) Chapter V of this Regulation should ensure the appropriate degree of harmonisation of data exchange for supporting the completion and functioning of the European internal gas market, security of supply and appropriate and secure access to information, facilitating cross-border transmission activities.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established pursuant to Article 51 of Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(10) In accordance with Article 8(8) and (9) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 Entsog should monitor and analyse the implementation of this Regulation and report its findings to the Agency in order to allow the Agency to fulfil its tasks under Article 9(1) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Subject matter and scope
Article 1 

1. This Regulation establishes a network code which sets out rules regarding interoperability and data exchange as well as ... rules for the operation of gas transmission systems.
2. This Regulation shall apply at interconnection points. With regard to data publication, Article 13 shall apply to relevant points defined in paragraph 3.2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 715/2009. In addition to interconnection points, Article 17 shall apply to other points on transmission network where the gas quality is measured. ...  This Regulation does not apply at entry points from and exit point to another country that is not a member State unless the national regulatory authority determines otherwise.
3. This Regulation shall not apply to interconnection points  with a member State that  holds a derogation on the basis of Article 49 of Directive 2009/73/EC as it has effect in EU law, unless agreed otherwise by the  national regulatory authority and the member State.
(4.) If a transmission system operator is regulated by both national regulatory authorities, where relevant they must cooperate with each other regarding the regulation of that transmission system operator.
(5.) If a transmission system operator is regulated by a national regulatory authority and a non-UK regulatory authority, where relevant the national regulatory authority must endeavour to cooperate with the non-UK regulatory authority regarding the regulation of that transmission system operator.
(6.) The interconnection points within the scope of this Regulation are those where transmission system operators or network users carry out functions or activities that are regulated by a national regulatory authority.
Obligations on transmission system operators
Article 1A 

(1.) In any case where a transmission system operator cannot comply with an obligation set out in this Regulation without the cooperation of a non-UK TSO, the obligation must be interpreted as a requirement on the transmission system operator to—
(a) comply with the obligation in so far as it is able to do so without the cooperation of the non-UK TSO; and
(b) endeavour to cooperate with the non-UK TSO in order to comply with that obligation.
(2.) Paragraph 1 applies so that obligations that apply to  “adjacent TSOs”, or that otherwise apply to transmission system operators at an interconnection point, apply to a transmission system operator that is adjacent to a non-UK TSO at an interconnection point.
Definitions
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Regulation, the definitions in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009, Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 984/2013, and Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 312/2014... shall apply. In addition, the following definitions shall apply:

((a)) ‘exceptional event’ means any unplanned event that is not reasonably controllable or preventable and that may cause, for a limited period, capacity reductions, affecting thereby the quantity or quality of gas at a given interconnection point, with possible consequences on interactions between transmission system operators as well as between transmission system operator and network users;
((b)) ‘initiating transmission system operator’ means the transmission system operator initiating the matching process by sending the necessary data to the matching transmission system operator;
((c)) ‘lesser rule’ means that, in case of different processed quantities at either side of an interconnection point, the confirmed quantity will be equal to the lower of the two processed quantities.
((d)) ‘matching process’ is the process of comparing and aligning processed quantities of gas for network users at both sides of a specific interconnection point, which results in confirmed quantities for the network users;
((e)) ‘matching transmission system operator’ means the transmission system operator performing the matching process and sending the result of the matching process to the initiating transmission system operator;
((f)) ‘measured quantity’ means the quantity of gas that, according to the measurement equipment from the transmission system operator, has physically flowed across an interconnection point per time period;
((g)) ‘operational balancing account’ means an account between  adjacent TSOs, to be used to manage steering differences at an interconnection point in order to simplify gas accounting for network users involved at the interconnection point;
((h)) ‘processed quantity’ means the quantity of gas determined by the initiating transmission system operator and by the matching transmission system operator, which takes into account the network user's nomination or re-nomination and contractual provisions as defined under the relevant transport contract and which is used as the basis for the matching process;
((i)) ‘steering difference’ means the difference between the quantity of gas that the transmission system operators had scheduled to flow and the measured quantity for an interconnection point.
CHAPTER II
INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS
General provisions
Article 3 
Adjacent TSOs  shall ensure that at least the following terms and conditions detailed in Articles 6 to 12 are covered by an interconnection agreement in respect of each interconnection point:

((a)) rules for flow control;
((b)) measurement principles for gas quantities and quality;
((c)) rules for the matching process;
((d)) rules for the allocation of gas quantities;
((e)) communication procedures in case of exceptional events;
((f)) settlement of disputes arising from interconnection agreements;
((g)) amendment process for the interconnection agreement.
Information obligation
Article 4 

1. The transmission system operators shall identify the information contained in interconnection agreements that directly affects network users and shall inform them thereof.
2. Before concluding or amending an interconnection agreement which contains the rules referred to in Article 3(c), (d) and (e), transmission system operators shall invite network users to comment on the proposed text of those rules at least two months before the agreement is concluded or amended. The transmission system operators shall take the network users' comments into account when concluding or amending their interconnection agreement.
3. The mandatory terms of interconnection agreements listed in Article 3 or any amendments thereof concluded after the entry into force of this Regulation shall be communicated by the transmission system operators to their national regulatory authority ... within 10 days after conclusion or amendment of the agreement. Transmission system operators shall also communicate interconnection agreements upon request of competent national authorities ... within 10 days.
Interconnection agreement template
Article 5 
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Rules for flow control
Article 6 

1. In respect of flow control, the  adjacent TSOs  shall:
(a) ensure that rules are established in order to facilitate a controllable, accurate, predictable and efficient gas flow across the interconnection point;
(b) ensure that rules are established for steering the gas flow across the interconnection point and for minimising the deviations from the flow pursuant to the matching process;
(c) designate the transmission system operator who is responsible for steering the gas flow across the interconnection point. If the  adjacent TSOs  fail to agree on this designation, the transmission system operator that operates the flow control equipment shall, in cooperation with the other transmission system operator(s), be responsible for steering the gas flow across the interconnection point.
2. In order to steer the gas flow, the  adjacent TSOs  shall decide on the quantity and direction of the gas flow for each interconnection point and for each hour of the gas day.The transmission system operator designated pursuant to point (c) of paragraph 1 shall be responsible for steering the gas flow across the interconnection point provided that contractual obligations regarding pressure are complied with by all  adjacent TSOs:
(a) at a level of accuracy sufficient to minimise the steering difference; and
(b) at a level of stability in line with the efficient use of the gas transmission networks.
3. The quantity and direction of the gas flow decided by the  adjacent TSOs  shall reflect:
(a) the result of the matching process;
(b) the operational balancing account correction;
(c) any efficient flow control arrangements between the  adjacent TSOs  for purposes such as ramp-up, ramp-down, minimum flow, split of the flow at the virtual interconnection point if any, and/or switch of flow direction or operational cost efficiency;
(d) any arrangement managing cross-border trade restrictions due to gas quality differences pursuant to Article 15 and/or odourisation practices pursuant to Article 19.
4. A transmission system operator may decide to alter the quantity of gas or the gas flow direction or both, if this is needed, in order to:
(a) comply with provisions laid down in ... safety legislation applicable to the interconnection point;
(b) comply with requirements laid down in Emergency Plans and Preventive Action Plans developed in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Councilas it has effect in EU law immediately before  IP completion day;
(c) react in case the operator's system is affected by an exceptional event.
Measurement principles for gas quantity and quality
Article 7 

1. In respect of the measurement principles for volume, energy and gas quality, the  adjacent TSOs  shall ensure that:
(a) the details of the measurement standards applicable at the interconnection point are established;
(b) the transmission system operator responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of the measurement equipment is identified. This operator shall have the obligation to make all information and data in respect of the measurement of gas flows at the interconnection point available to the other  adjacent TSOs  in a timely manner and at a frequency specified.
2. The installation, operation and maintenance of measurement equipment at an interconnection point shall take into account the technical requirements imposed by national regulations and the regulations of other countries or territories  on the  adjacent TSOs.
3. The  adjacent TSOs  shall agree on measurement principles which shall at least include:
(a) a description of the metering station including measurement and analysis equipment to be used and details of any secondary equipment that may be used in case of failure;
(b) the gas quality parameters and volume and energy that shall be measured, as well as the range and the maximum permissible error or uncertainty margin within which the measurement equipment shall operate, the frequency of measurements, in what units and according to what standards the measurement shall be made as well as any conversion factors used;
(c) the procedures and methods that shall be used to calculate those parameters which are not directly measured;
(d) a description of the method of calculation in respect of the maximum permissible error or uncertainty in the determination of energy transported;
(e) a description of the data validation process in use for the measured parameters;
(f) the measurement validation and quality assurance arrangements, including verification and adjustment procedures to be agreed between the  adjacent TSOs;
(g) the way data, including frequency and content, is provided among the  adjacent TSOs  in respect of the measured parameters;
(h) the specific list of signals and alarms to be provided by the  adjacent TSOs who operate the measurement equipment to the other adjacent TSOs;
(i) the method of determining a correction to a measurement and any subsequent procedures that may be necessary in a temporary situation where the measurement equipment is found to be or have been in error (either under-reading or over-reading outside of its defined uncertainty range).This transmission system operator shall take appropriate action to end this situation.
(j) rules that shall apply between  adjacent TSOs  in the event of failure of the measurement equipment;
(k) rules that shall apply between the  adjacent TSOs  for:
((i)) access to the measurement facility;
((ii)) additional verifications of measurement facility;
((iii)) modification of the measurement facility;
((iv)) attendance during calibration and maintenance work at the measurement facility.
4. If the  adjacent TSOs  fail to comply with their obligations provided for in paragraphs 1 and 3:
(a) the transmission system operator in control of the measurement equipment shall be responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of such equipment and for providing the other transmission system operator with the data regarding the measurement of gas flows at the interconnection point in a timely manner;
(b) the European standard EN1776 ‘Gas Supply Natural Gas Measuring Stations Functional Requirements’ ... shall apply.
Rules for the matching process
Article 8 

1. In respect of the matching process, the  adjacent TSOs  shall establish:
(a) the rules detailing the matching process taking into account daily-hourly nomination arrangements where relevant;
(b) the rules governing the communication and processing of the relevant data among the  adjacent TSOs  in order to calculate the processed quantities and confirmed quantities of gas for network users and the quantity of gas that needs to be scheduled to flow at the interconnection point(s).
2. Nominations and re-nominations shall be managed in accordance with the following:
(a) the application of a matching rule shall lead to identical confirmed quantities for each pair of network users at both sides of the interconnection point when processed quantities are not aligned;
(b) the  adjacent TSOs  may agree to maintain or implement a matching rule other than the lesser rule, provided that this rule is published and network users are invited to comment on the proposed matching rule within a period of time of not less than two months after publication of the matching rule;
(c) the  adjacent TSOs  shall specify their respective roles in the matching process by indicating whether they are the initiating or the matching transmission system operator;
(d) the  adjacent TSOs  shall specify the applicable time schedule for the matching process within the nomination or re-nomination cycle, given that the whole matching process shall not take more than two hours from the starting of the nomination or re-nomination cycle, and shall take into account:
((i)) the data that needs to be exchanged between the  adjacent TSOs  in order to enable them to inform network users of their confirmed quantities before the end of the nomination or re-nomination cycle, including as a minimum the data referred to in paragraph 4(b);
((ii)) the data exchange process defined in point (i) above shall enable the  adjacent TSOs  to perform all calculation and communication steps in an accurate and timely manner.
3. When processing nominations for an interconnection point, the  adjacent TSOs  shall ensure that the gas flow at both sides of the interconnection point is calculated on a consistent basis taking into account any temporary reduction of capacity due to any of the conditions referred to in Article 6(4) on one or both sides of the interconnection point.
4. Each interconnection agreement shall specify in its provisions on data exchange for the matching process:
(a) the use of data exchange between the  adjacent TSOs  for the matching process;
(b) the harmonised information contained within the data exchange for the matching process which shall contain at least the following:
((i)) interconnection point identification;
((ii)) network user identification or if applicable its portfolio identification;
((iii)) identification of the party delivering to or receiving gas from the network user or if applicable its portfolio identification;
((iv)) start and end time of the gas flow for which the matching is made;
((v)) gas day;
((vi)) processed and confirmed quantities;
((vii)) direction of gas flow.
5. Unless otherwise agreed by the  adjacent TSOs  in their interconnection agreement, the following shall apply:
(a) the transmission system operators shall use the lesser rule. The application of the lesser rule as the default rule may only be restricted in case the conditions of point 2.2.3.1 of Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 are fulfilled and its application would prevent the offer of firm capacity from the congestion management procedures;
(b) the transmission system operator in control of the flow control equipment shall be the matching transmission system operator;
(c) the transmission system operators shall perform the matching process in the following sequential steps:
((i)) calculating and sending of processed quantities of gas by the initiating transmission system operator within 45 minutes of the start of the nomination or re-nomination cycle;
((ii)) calculating and sending of confirmed quantities of gas by the matching transmission system operator within 90 minutes from the start of the nomination or re-nomination cycle;
((iii)) sending confirmed quantities of gas to network users and scheduling the gas flow across the interconnection point by the  adjacent TSOs  within two hours from the start of the nomination or re-nomination cycle. These sequential steps shall be without prejudice to the rule for minimum interruption lead times referred to in Article 22 of Regulation (EU) No 984/2013 and paragraph 2 (d) of this Article.
Rules for the allocation of gas quantities
Article 9 

1. In respect of the allocation of gas quantities, the  adjacent TSOs  shall establish rules ensuring consistency between the allocated quantities at both sides of the interconnection point.
2. Unless otherwise agreed in the interconnection agreement, the transmission system operators shall use an operational balancing account. The transmission system operator in control of the measurement equipment shall recalculate the operational balancing account with validated quantities and communicate it to the  adjacent TSOs.
3. Where an operational balancing account applies:
(a) the steering difference shall be allocated to an operational balancing account of the  adjacent TSOs  and the allocations to be provided  by each adjacent TSO  to their respective network users shall be equal to the confirmed quantities;
(b) the  adjacent TSOs  shall maintain an operational balancing account balance that is as close to zero as possible;
(c) the operational balancing account limits shall take into account specific characteristics of each interconnection point and/or the interconnected transmission networks, in particular:
((i)) physical characteristics of the interconnection point;
((ii)) linepack capability of each transmission network;
((iii)) the total technical capacities at the interconnection point;
((iv)) gas flow dynamics at the interconnected transmission networks.Where the defined limits of the operational balancing account are reached, the  adjacent TSOs  may agree to extend those limits in order to provide allocations to network users that are equal to their confirmed quantities or otherwise allocate quantities to network users proportionally based on the measured quantity.
4. The  adjacent TSOs  may agree to maintain or implement an allocation rule other than the operational balancing account, provided that this rule is published and network users are invited to comment on the proposed allocation rule within at least two months after publication of the allocation rule.
Communication procedures in case of exceptional events
Article 10 

1. The  adjacent TSOs  shall ensure that communication procedures which facilitate fast and simultaneous communication in cases of exceptional events are established. Unless otherwise agreed, the communication between the involved transmission system operators shall be performed by oral communication in English for information, followed by an electronic written confirmation.
2. The transmission system operator affected by an exceptional event shall be required, as a minimum, to inform its network users with respect to point (b) and (c) of this paragraph if there is a potential impact on their confirmed quantities and the  adjacent TSOs  with respect to point (a) and (c) of this paragraph of the occurrence of such exceptional event and to provide all necessary information about:
(a) the possible impact on the quantities and quality of gas that can be transported through the interconnection point;
(b) the possible impact on the confirmed quantities for network users active at the concerned interconnection point(s);
(c) the expected and actual end of the exceptional event.
3. This Article applies without prejudice to the provisions set forth under Regulation (EU) No 1227/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council and to its implementing acts.
Settlement of disputes arising from Interconnection Agreements
Article 11 

1. The  adjacent TSOs  shall endeavour to solve amicably any disputes arising out of or in connection with the interconnection agreement and specify therein a dispute settlement mechanism for disputes which could not be amicably settled.The dispute settlement mechanism shall at least specify:
(a) the applicable law; and
(b) the court of jurisdiction or the terms and conditions of the appointment of experts either within the framework of an institutional forum or on an ad hoc basis, which may include arbitration.Where the dispute settlement mechanism is arbitration, the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards shall apply.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amendment process
Article 12 

1. The  adjacent TSOs  shall establish a transparent and detailed amendment process of their interconnection agreement to be triggered by a written notice of one of the transmission system operators.
2. If the  adjacent TSOs  fail to reach an agreement on the amendment process, they may use the dispute settlement mechanisms developed in accordance with Article 11.
CHAPTER III
UNITS
Common set of units
Article 13 

1. Each transmission system operator shall use the common set of units defined in this Article for any data exchange and data publication related to Regulation (EC) No 715/2009.
2. For the parameters of pressure, temperature, volume, gross calorific value, energy, and Wobbe-index the transmission system operators shall use:
(a) pressure: bar
(b) temperature: °C (degree Celsius)
(c) volume: m3
(d) gross calorific value (GCV): kWh/m3
(e) energy: kWh (based on GCV)
(f) Wobbe-index: kWh/m3 (based on GCV)For pressure, the transmission system operators shall indicate whether it refers to absolute pressure (bar (a)) or gauge pressure (bar (g)).The reference conditions for volume shall be 0 °C and 1,01325 bar(a). For GCV, energy and Wobbe-index the default combustion reference temperature shall be 25 °C.Whenever transmission system operators communicate data on the volume, GCV, energy and Wobbe-index, they shall specify under which reference conditions these values were calculated.
3. If at any time the United Kingdom is connected to only one member State, or connected to a country or territory that is not connected to a member State, the adjacent TSOs at the relevant interconnection points and the parties they communicate with may agree to continue to use other reference conditions for data exchange in connection with Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 on conditions for access to natural gas transmission networks, subject to the approval of the national regulatory authority.
Additional units
Article 14 
The transmission system operators and the parties they communicate with in connection with Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 may agree to use, in addition to the common set of units, additional units or reference conditions for data exchange or data publication. In such a situation conversion between reference conditions shall be done on the basis of the actual gas composition. If the relevant gas composition data is not available, the conversion factors used shall be consistent with the Annex ....
CHAPTER IV
GAS QUALITY AND ODOURISATION
Managing cross-border trade restrictions due to gas quality differences
Article 15 

1. Transmission system operators shall cooperate with each other and must endeavour to cooperate with non-UK TSOs  to avoid restrictions to cross-border trade due to gas quality differences. These actions, initiated and carried out by the transmission system operators in their standard operations, may include, among others, swapping and co-mingling.
2. Where a restriction to cross-border trade due to gas quality differences cannot be avoided by the concerned transmission system operators and is recognised by the  national regulatory authority, it  may require the concerned  transmission system operators to perform, within 12 months, the actions referred to in points (a) to (e) in sequence:
(a) cooperate and develop technically feasible options, without changing the gas quality specifications, which may include flow commitments and gas treatment, in order to remove the recognised restriction;
(b) jointly carry out a cost benefit analysis on the technically feasible options to define economically efficient solutions which shall specify the breakdown of costs and benefits among the categories of affected parties;
(c) produce an estimate of the implementation time for each potential option;
(d) conduct a public consultation on identified feasible solutions and take into consideration the results of the consultation;
(e) submit a joint proposal for removing the recognised restriction, including the timeframe for implementation, based on the cost benefit analysis and results of the public consultation to  the national regulatory authority  for approval and to the other competent national authorities ... for information.In performing the actions referred to in points (a) to (e), the concerned transmission system operators must endeavour to cooperate with the concerned non-UK TSOs.Where the concerned transmission system operators and concerned non-UK TSOs  do not reach an agreement on a solution, each transmission system operator shall promptly inform its national regulatory authority.
3. Before adopting a decision pursuant to point (e) of paragraph 2,  the national  regulatory authority shall consult the  non-UK  regulatory authorities of the concerned  countries or territories. In adopting its decision,  the national  regulatory authority shall take account of the adjacent  non-UK  regulatory authorities' opinion with a view to have a coordinated decision based on mutual agreement.
(4.) If both national regulatory authorities are concerned, they must cooperate with each other, and references in paragraphs 2 and 3 to  “the national regulatory authority” are to be read as references to  “the national regulatory authorities”.
Short term monitoring on gas quality — data publication
Article 16 
Transmission system operators shall publish on their website for each interconnection point, with a frequency of at least once per hour during the gas day, the Wobbe-index and gross calorific value for gas directly entering their transmission networks at all physical interconnection points. ...
Information provision on short-term gas quality variation
Article 17 

1. In addition to interconnection points, this Article shall apply to other points on transmission networks where the gas quality is measured.
2. A transmission system operator may select one or several of the following parties to receive information on gas quality variation:
(a) final customers directly connected to the transmission system operator's network, whose operational processes are adversely affected by gas quality changes or a network user acting on behalf of a final customer whose operational processes are adversely affected by gas quality changes, where a direct contractual arrangement between a transmission system operator and its directly connected final customers is not foreseen by the national rules;
(b) distribution system operators directly connected to the transmission system operator's network, with connected final customers whose operational processes are adversely affected by gas quality changes;
(c) storage system operators directly connected to the transmission system operator's network, whose operational processes are adversely affected by gas quality changes.
3. Each transmission system operator shall:
(a) define and maintain a list of parties entitled to receive indicative gas quality information;
(b) cooperate with the parties identified in the above list in order to assess:
((i)) the relevant information on gas quality parameters to be provided;
((ii)) the frequency for the information to be provided;
((iii)) the lead time;
((iv)) the method of communication.
4. Paragraph 3 shall not impose an obligation on transmission system operators to install additional measurement or forecasting equipment, unless otherwise required by the national regulatory authority. The information under paragraph 3(b)(i) of this Article shall be provided as the transmission system operator's best estimate at a point in time and for the internal use of the recipient of the information.
Long-term monitoring on gas quality in transmission systems
Article 18 
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Managing cross-border trade restrictions due to differences in odourisation practices
Article 19 

1. Where a restriction to cross-border trade due to differences in odourisation practices cannot be avoided by the concerned transmission system operators and is recognised by  the national regulatory authority,  the national regulatory authority  may require the concerned transmission system operators to endeavour to  reach an agreement within six months, which may include swapping and flow commitments, to solve any restriction recognised. The concerned  adjacent TSOs  shall provide  the national regulatory authority  with the agreement for approval.
2. Where no agreement can be reached between the concerned transmission system operators after the six-month period referred to in paragraph 1 or where the  national regulatory authority considers  that the proposed agreement by the concerned  adjacent TSOs  is not sufficiently effective to remove the restriction, the concerned transmission system operators, in cooperation  with the national regulatory authority, shall, within the following 12 months, define a detailed plan setting out the most cost effective method to remove a recognised restriction at the specific cross-border interconnection point.
3. For the purpose of fulfilling the obligations under paragraph 2, the concerned transmission system operators shall in sequence:
(a) develop options to remove the restriction by identifying and assessing:
((i)) a conversion towards cross-border physical flow of non-odourised gas;
((ii)) the potential physical flow of odourised gas into the non-odourised transmission network or part thereof and interconnected downstream systems;
((iii)) an acceptable level of odourant for cross-border physical gas flow.
(b) jointly carry out a cost-benefit analysis on the technically feasible options to define economically efficient solutions. That analysis shall:
((i)) take into account the level of safety;
((ii)) include information on projected volumes of gas to be transported and details of costs of necessary infrastructure investments;
((iii)) specify the breakdown of costs and benefits between the categories of affected parties;
(c) produce an estimate of the implementation time for each potential option;
(d) conduct a public consultation and take into consideration the results of such consultation;
(e) submit  any feasible  solutions including the cost recovery mechanism and implementation timing to the  national regulatory authority  for approval.If  a solution is approved by the  national regulatory authority, that solution shall be implemented in accordance with the timeframe provided for in point (e).
4. If the  national regulatory authority does  not approve any solution submitted under point (e) of paragraph 3 within six months from its submission or if the concerned transmission system operators fail to propose a solution within the 12 months' framework of paragraph 2, the concerned transmission system operators shall endeavour to implement  a shift towards the cross-border physical flow of non-odourised gas ... within a time-frame approved  by the national regulatory authority, but not exceeding four years. After a full technical shift towards non-odourised gas, transmission system operators shall accept technically unavoidable levels of successively reducing residual amounts of odourants in cross-border flows.
(5.) In performing their functions set out in this Article, the concerned transmission system operators must endeavour to cooperate with the concerned non-UK TSOs.
(6.) Before determining whether to grant approval under paragraphs (1), (3) or (4) of this Article, the national regulatory authority must endeavour to cooperate with the concerned non-UK regulatory authorities with a view to reaching a joint decision.
(7.) If both national regulatory authorities are concerned, they must cooperate with each other, and references in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 to  “the national regulatory authority” are to be read as references to  “the national regulatory authorities”.
CHAPTER V
DATA EXCHANGE
General provisions
Article 20 

1. For the purposes of this Chapter, ‘counterparties’ means network users active at:
(a) interconnection points; or
(b) both interconnection points and virtual trading points.
2. The data exchange requirements foreseen by point 2.2 of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 715/2009, Commission Regulation (EU) No 984/2013, Commission Regulation (EU) No 312/2014, Commission Regulation (EU) No 1227/2011 and this Regulation between transmission system operators and from transmission system operators to their counterparties shall be fulfilled by common data exchange solutions set out in Article 21.
Common data exchange solutions
Article 21 

1. Depending on the data exchange requirements under Article 20(2), one or more of the following types of data exchange may be implemented and used:(a) document-based data exchangethe data is wrapped into a file and automatically exchanged between the respective IT systems;(b) integrated data exchangethe data is exchanged between two applications directly on the respective IT systems;(c) interactive data exchangethe data is exchanged interactively through a web application via a browser.
2. The common data exchange solutions shall comprise the protocol, the data format and the network. The following common data exchange solutions shall be used for each of the types of data exchange listed in paragraph 1:
(a) For the document-based data exchange:
((i)) protocol: AS4;
((ii)) data format: Edig@s-XML, or an equivalent data format ensuring identical degree of interoperability. ...
(b) For the integrated data exchange:
((i)) protocol: HTTP/S-SOAP;
((ii)) data format: Edig@s-XML, or an equivalent data format ensuring identical degree of interoperability. ...
(c) For the interactive data exchange, the protocol shall be HTTP/S.For all data exchange types set out in points (a) to (c), the network shall be internet.
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data exchange system security and availability
Article 22 

1. Each transmission system operator and each counterparty shall be responsible for ensuring that the appropriate security measures are undertaken. In particular, they shall:
(a) secure the communication chain in order to provide secured and reliable communications, including the protection of the confidentiality by encryption, integrity and the authenticity by signature of the sender and non-repudiation by a signed confirmation;
(b) implement appropriate security measures in order to prevent unauthorised access of their IT infrastructure;
(c) notify the other parties it communicates with, without delay, in regard to any unauthorised access which has or may have occurred on his own system.
2. Each transmission system operator shall be responsible for ensuring the availability of its own system and shall:
(a) take appropriate measures to prevent that a single point of failure causes an unavailability of the data exchange system, including up to the network connection(s) with the internet service provider(s);
(b) obtain the appropriate services and support from its internet service provider(s);
(c) keep the downtime, as a consequence of planned IT maintenance, to a minimum and shall inform its counterparties in a timely manner, prior to the planned unavailability.
Implementation of the common data exchange solutions
Article 23 

1. Depending on the data exchange requirements under Article 20(2), transmission system operators shall make available and use the common data exchange solutions defined in Article 21.
2. Where data exchange solutions between a transmission system operator and concerned counterparties are in place on the date of entry into force of this Regulation and provided that the existing data exchange solutions are compatible with Article 22 and with data exchange requirements under Article 20(2), the existing data exchange solutions may continue to apply after consultation with network users and subject to the approval of the national regulatory authority ....
Development process for common network operation tools
Article 24 
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CHAPTER VI
FINAL PROVISIONS
Implementation monitoring
Article 25 
If immediately before  IP completion day  a transmission system operator has not complied with its obligations under Article 25(2) of this Regulation as it has effect in EU law, the obligations under that paragraph continue to apply.
Entry into force
Article 26 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 May 2016 ....
...Done at Brussels, 30 April 2015.
For the Commission
The President
Jean-Claude JUNCKER
ANNEX

Conversion factors between reference conditionsReference temperature in °C (combustion, volume) 25/20 to 25/0 25/20 to 15/15 25/20 to 0/0 25/0 to 15/15 25/0 to 0/0 15/15 to 0/0
Volume-basis real superior calorific value 1,0738 1,0185 1,0766 0,9486 1,0026 1,0570
Volume-basis real inferior calorific value 1,0738 1,0176 1,0741 0,9477 1,0003 1,0555
Real Wobbe index 1,0736 1,0185 1,0764 0,9487 1,0026 1,0569
Source: EN ISO 13443 ‘Natural gas — Standard reference conditions’