7.—(1) If it appears to the Authority that the publication of any advice and information would promote the interests of consumers in relation to gas or electricity supplied by authorised suppliers, the Authority may publish that advice or information in such manner as it thinks fit.
(2) In publishing advice or information under this Article the Authority shall have regard to the need for excluding, so far as that is practicable, any matter which relates to the affairs of a particular individual or body of persons (corporate or unincorporate), where publication of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the Authority, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual or body.
(3) Before deciding to publish under this Article any advice or information relating to a particular individual or body of persons the Authority shall consult that individual or body.
(4) The [F1CMA] shall consult the Authority before publishing under section 6 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (c.40) any information or advice which may be published by the Authority under this Article.
[F2(5) The Authority shall—
(a)prepare and keep under review, with a view to making any necessary changes, guidance for consumers of gas F3... which:
(i)addresses all matters included in any document published by the European Commission [F4before [F5IP completion day]] pursuant to F3... Article 3(12) of the Gas Directive; and
(ii)may include any other information relating to the rights of the consumers which the Authority considers appropriate;
(b)consult the Council when preparing and keeping under review the guidance referred to in paragraph (a); and
(c)publish that guidance by making it available on its website and any other manner as the Authority considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of the consumers and others likely to be interested.
F6(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
F1Word in art. 7(4) substituted (1.4.2014) by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Competition) (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/892), art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 235 (with art. 3)
F2Art. 7(5)(6) inserted (15.4.2011) by Gas and Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/155), reg. 37
F3Words in art. 7(5)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/307), regs. 1, 22(a)
F4Words in art. 7(5)(a)(i) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/530), regs. 1(1), 132; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F5Words in art. 7(5)(a)(i) substituted in earlier amending provision S.I. 2019/530, reg. 132 (31.12.2020) by The Electricity and Gas etc. (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1016), regs. 1(2), 3(46)
F6Art. 7(6) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Electricity (Internal Markets) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/307), regs. 1, 22(b)