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v2.0Current version

Published04/02/2026Effective date06/02/2026Release date04/02/2026

Pre-Qualification Criteria

Document Summary

What? This rule aligns the questions asked by DNOs to pre-qualify into their markets. How? There are now 31 standard commercial criteria, and 35 technical criteria to be used by the DNOs. Variations are permitted, but only if submitted to the Market Facilitator Who? This rule impact all DNOs, and in turn their Flexibility Service Providers.When? This rule comes into force in February 2026Why? This rule aims to align and simplify the pre-qualification process, reducing the complexity and costs incurred by Flexibility Service Providers

Propose change

Pre-Qualification Criteria - Flexibility Market Rules - Elexon

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Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 form the legally binding Flexibility Market Rule.

Defined terms capitalised in this document shall have the meaning given in Section 4.

GuidanceSummary of Pre-Qualification requirements Flexibility Market Rule

This section is provided as guidance to the Flexibility Market Rule. Therefore, it is not legally binding and falls outside of the formal change management process.

Context

Qualification of FSPs and their assets is a key activity within the registration process for the provision of Flexibility Services. This rule establishes a standardised set of pre-qualification questions and associated requirements from the DNOs to reduce complexity and duplication for FSPs.

The rule comes into force in February 2026 across DNO sub-markets and aims to simplify and harmonise the pre-qualification process, reducing costs and supporting market access.

Pre-Qualification Requirements

The rule introduces 31 standard commercial and 35 standard technical criteria, which must be used by all DNOs. It also includes aligned pass criteria for those questions.

Commercial questions include information such as company registration, key contacts, acceptance of terms, financial standing, and insurance cover. Technical questions include information such as connection status, technology, capacity, operating duration, and metering granularity.

The rule allows for System Operators to self-derogate variations to these terms, as long as these are submitted to the Market Facilitator ahead of use.

Alongside the standard implementation tracking, DNOs must also report on whether they use any non-standard terms. The number of variations will be tracked by the Market Facilitator.

We believe the impact of these requirements to be:

Impact on System Operators	Impact on FSPs
Must use standardised criteria for pre-qualification and report any variations.	Benefit from a simplified, consistent process and reduced duplication when engaging with multiple DNOs.

Implementation monitoring requirements

The key requirements are laid out below. A view across the rules is available in our deadline tracker.

Category

Requirement

Trigger for data submission

What we will do with it

Implementation tracking

Basic tracking of implementation status and target date

From 14/01/2026 (20 working days after the published date).

Within 10 days of change

Track whether implementation is on track via our Implementation tracker.

Flexibility Market Catalogue data

Confirmation of use of standard or non-standard criteria

From 06/02/2026.

Within 10 days of change

Provide an overview of Sub-Markets via the Flexibility Market Catalogue.

Effectiveness monitoring data

Number of variations to standardised criteria per DNO

Every 6 months

Assess alignment and identify areas for improvement via our Effectiveness Monitoring Report

1Applicability of this Flexibility Market Rule

1.0

This Flexibility Market Rule applies to all DNO Sub-Markets within the Market Facilitator’s scope.

Innovation trials are not bound by this requirement.

All DNOs shall only use the commercial qualification criteria and the technical qualification criteria as set out in sections 2.1 and 2.2 in their qualification processes.

All DNOs shall provide the data set out in section 3 no later than the timings also set out in section 3.

DNOs may only add or remove criteria to their qualification processes via a Derogation submitted ahead of use. These variations to the rule are self-derogated and do not require approval from the Market Facilitator

Variations to these criteria are only permitted if submitted to the Market Facilitator ahead of use.

The core dates for this Flexibility Market Rule are laid out below.

Table 1: Flexibility Market Rule dates

Published Date	04/02/2026
Implementation Date	06/02/2026
End Date	-

2Pre-Qualification Criteria

2.1Commercial Qualification Criteria

The below tables present the standard commercial and technical qualification criteria that System Operators must use when assessing Flexibility Service Providers (FSPs) for entry into their local flexibility markets. Their purpose is to:

Standardise the commercial and technical information required across all System Operators, ensuring consistency in onboarding processes.
Reduce complexity and duplication for FSPs who engage with multiple System Operators by aligning the questions asked during pre-qualification.
Define pass criteria for each question, clarifying what constitutes a complete or acceptable response.
Support transparency and comparability by documenting the exact fields, allowable responses, and expectations.

The 31 standard questions are laid out in Table 2 below

Table 2: Standard Commercial Qualification Criteria

Area	Field Name	Commercial Qualification Questions	Allowable Responses	Pass Criteria	Description
Reference	COMM_REF_ORG1	Assigned Reference for this Organisation, if known	free text	completed	If the Organisation has previously been submitted and assigned a reference, this can be detailed here
Company Information	COMM_CI_CNAME	Registered or legal name of the contracting party	free text	completed	Full registered/legal name of the party wishing to enter into the flexibility contract
	COMM_CI_REGNO	Company Registered Number [Or Charity/Trust]	free text	completed	Registered No. as shown on Companies House. Charity or Trust Registration No. is also acceptable
	COMM_CI_REGA1	Registered address 1	free text	completed	Registered Address line 1
	COMM_CI_REGA2	Registered address 2	free text	completed	Registered Address line 2
	COMM_CI_REGA3	Registered address 3	free text, blank	completed, blank	Registered Address line 3
	COMM_CI_POSTC	Registered address postcode	free text	completed	Registered Address Postcode
	COMM_CI_FIRST	Key contact First Name	free text	completed	First name of main contact in respect of this submission and any subsequent contract
	COMM_CI_CLAST	Key contact Last Name	free text	completed	Last name of main contact in respect of this submission and any subsequent contract
	COMM_CI_EMAIL	Key contact email	free text	completed	email address of main contact in respect of this submission and any subsequent contract
	COMM_CI_TELNO	Key contact number	free text	completed	Contact telephone number of main contact in respect of this submission and any subsequent contract
	COMM_CI_WEBSI	Organisation website	free text	completed	Web address for contracting party
	COMM_CI_RELAT	Legal relationship with flexibility asset/s	Owner, Operator, Aggregator	one code completed	declare relationship to asset/s, only select one
	COMM_CI_VATNO	VAT Registration Number	free text	completed	VRN of the contracting party
Terms and Conditions	COMM_TC_ACCEP	Confirm; You have read the applicable Contractual requirements and understand it will be a requirement to accept these terms in order to form any contract for the delivery of flexibility services	Y, N	Y	Contracting party must confirm their acceptance of the Contractual requirements applicable to the DNO they are pre-qualifying for
Terms and Conditions	COMM_TC_DECLA	Do you declare that you have the authority to submit this application and by confirming you declare that to the best of your knowledge, the information in this form is accurate?	Y, N	Y	The individual completing this submission must have the authority of the contracting party to both accept the Agreement and provide the information listed in this application
Due Diligence	COMM_DD_FLEXA	Is the contracting party a member of Flex Assure Code of Conduct?	Y, N	Y, N	Being a member of flex assure is not required in order to pass commercial qualification, if the contracting party is a member it will speed the required due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_ACHIL	Contracting parties Achilles UVDB Registered No. if applicable	free text, blank	completed, blank	Being Achilles UVDB (Utilities Vendor Database) registered is not required in order to pass commercial qualification, if the contracting party is a member it will speed the required due diligence and credit checks
	COMM_DD_CHECK	Where Achilles UVDB registration has not been advised, you understand that the DNO may access the contracting Parties most recent audited financial accounts via Companies House for the purpose of credit checks.	Y, N, NA	Y, NA	Please confirm you understand that the DNO may perform credit checks as part of their due diligence checks relating to this application
	COMM_DD_RECEI	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever been in receivership?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_ADMIN	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever been in administration?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_LIQUI	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever been in liquidation?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_DEBTS	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever been unable to pay its debts as they fall due (within the meaning of Section 268 Insolvency Act 1986)?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_WINDI	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever had, in the past 3 years, any petitions for winding up (other than vexatious petitions)?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_BANKR	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever had any petitions for bankruptcy (or their equivalent in the country in which the Applicant is incorporated) within the last three years?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_OFFEN	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever been convicted of any of the offences or has any discretional exclusion occurred, as contained in Regulation 80 of the Utilities Contract Regulations 2016 (UCR), and listed in Regulation 57 (1) and 57 (8) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR)? [IF IN SCOTLAND, Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever been convicted of any of the offences or has any discretional exclusion occurred, as contained in Regulation 78 of the Utilities Contract (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (UC(S)R), and listed in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (PC(S)R)?]	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_TERMI	Is this contracting party currently, or has it ever had, in the past 3 years, any similar contracts terminated prematurely and/or had damages claims or other comparable sanctions brought against the contracting party for any significant or persistent deficiencies in performance of a substantive requirement of the contract?	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
	COMM_DD_LITIG	Has the contracting party been subject to any material non- employment related litigation (pending, threatened or determined) or other legal proceedings against the contracting party within the last three years that may be relevant to your ability to deliver services.	Y, N	N	This response will be assessed by the DNO as part of their due diligence checks
Insurance	COMM_IN_EMPLO	Does the contracting party have or commit to have Employer’s liability insurance with a minimum limit of £5m	Y, N	Y	Confirm you meet the minimum insurance level required for Employers Liability
	COMM_IN_PUBLI	Does the contracting party have or commit to have Public liability insurance with a minimum limit of £5m	Y, N	Y	Confirm you meet the minimum insurance level required for Public Liability
	COMM_IN_COPIE	Will the contracting party provide copies of such insurances upon request	Y, N	Y	Confirm you will be able to provide copies of insurances if requested by the DNO

2.2Technical Qualification Criteria

The 35 standard questions are laid out in Table 3 below

Table 3: Standard Technical Qualification Criteria

Area	Field Name	Technical Qualification Questions	Allowable Responses	Pass criteria	Description
Reference	TECH_REF_DER1	Assigned Reference for this DER, if known	Free text, NA	Completed	If the DER has previously been submitted and assigned a reference, this can be detailed here
Connection	TECH_CN_STATUS	DER Connection status	Archived, Energised, Awaiting Energisation, Planned, Speculative	Energised, Awaiting Energisation , Planned, Speculative	One eligible response per DER must be provided to confirm the status of the assets connection to the distribution network; Energised means the DER is already connected to the network and is readily available for flexibility, Awaiting Energisation means the connection application and all installation work is complete but the connection is pending energisation therefore the DER is not yet available for flexibility, Planned means a connection application is in progress but no installation work has started and there is no known date for energisation therefore the DER is not yet available for flexibility, Speculative means that the DER is still being sought through recruitment and once recruited will form an aggregated group therefore the DER is not yet available for flexibility.
	TECH_CN_AWAI1	If awaiting energisation, firm date of energisation	DD/MM/YY, NA	Completed	If the DER is Awaiting Energisation the firm date of energisation must be provided, if energised, planned or speculative please respond NA
	TECH_CN_AWAI2	If awaiting energisation, connection reference number	Free text, NA	Completed	If the DER is Awaiting Energisation the connection reference number must be provided, if energised, planned or speculative please respond NA
	TECH_CN_PLAN1	If planned, connection voltage level	0.23, 0.40, 0.46, 3, 3.3, 6, 6.6, 7, 11, 13, 20, 22, 25, 33, 66, 132, NA	Completed	If the DER is Planned the voltage level at the point at which the DER is connecting onto the distribution network must be provided, if Energised, Awaiting Energisation or Speculative please respond NA
	TECH_CN_PLAN2	If planned, connection offer status	Not yet applied, applied awaiting offer, offer issued, offer accepted	Not yet applied, applied awaiting offer, offer issued, offer accepted	If the DER is Planned the status of the connection application must be stated, if Energised, Awaiting Energisation or Speculative please respond NA
	TECH_CN_PLAN3	If planned, connection reference number	Free text, NA	Completed	If the DER is Planned the status of the connection application must be stated, if Energised, Awaiting Energisation or Speculative please respond NA
	TECH_CN_PLAN4	If planned, what is the target delivery date?	DD/MM/YY, NA	Completed	If the DER is Planned, the target for delivery/energisation must be stated, if Energised, Awaiting Energisation or Speculative please respond NA
	TECH_CN_SPEC1	If speculative, service readiness date	DD/MM/YY, NA	Completed	If the DER is Speculative, the anticipated date the DER or aggregated group or DER will be available to deliver flexibility. If Energised, Awaiting Energisation or Planned please respond NA
	TECH_CN_SPEC2	If speculative, recruitment status	ASSET CONTRACTE D, ASSET KNOWN, ASSET UNKNOWN, NA	Completed	If the DER is Speculative, the status of recruitment must be stated. If Energised, Awaiting Energisation or Planned please respond NA
	TECH_CN_SPEC3	CMZ Location, if known	Free text, NA	Completed	If known, the DNO Constraint Management Zone the DER or if speculative, the Aggregated Group of DER, are sited within. Speculative must complete this field with a valid DER
Site/ Location	TECH_LN_POSTC	If Energised, Awaiting Energisation, Planned; Postcode	free text	Completed	The full post code of the site where the DER is located
	TECH_LN_IMPAN	If Energised, Awaiting Energisation, Planned; Import MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) If known	free text (13 Characters), NA	Completed	The unique 13-digit identification of the meter associated with the DER's energy import from the network
	TECH_LN_EMPAN	If Energised, Awaiting Energisation, Planned; Export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) If known	free text (13 Characters), NA	Completed	The unique 13-digit identification of the meter associated with the DER's energy export to the network
	TECH_LN_MSID1	If Energised, Awaiting Energisation, Planned; MSID (where applicable)	free text, NA	Completed	If applicable, the BSC unique identifier of the meter associated with the DER
	TECH_LN_ANAME	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Name/Ref	free text	Completed	The human readable name the contracting party wishes to name the DER
Technology	TECH_TG_GROU1	Asset Scale	DOMESTIC, I&C	Completed	Identifies whether the DER is connected at a site that is domestic, or industrial and commercial.
	TECH_TG_GROU2	Metering Point	POINT OF CONNECTIO N, ASSET LEVEL	Completed	Describes where the DER is metered. 'Asset Level' means behind the meter and 'Point of Connection' means the connection at the boundary to the network.
	TECH_TG_GROU3	DER Type; Generation &/OR Storage	Y, N	Y, N	Identifies if the purpose of the DER is for generation and/storage
	TECH_TG_GROU4	DER Type; Demand	Y, N	Y, N	Identifies if the purpose of the DER is for demand flexibility
	TECH_TG_GSCL1	If Generation &/OR Storage, Energy Conversion Type	Battery, Compressed air system, Engine (combustion / reciprocating), Gas turbine (OCGT), Geothermal power plant, Hydro power system, Liquid air system, Offshore wind turbines, Onshore wind turbines, Photovoltaic, Steam turbine (thermal power plant), Steam-gas turbine (CCGT), Tidal lagoons, Tidal stream devices, Wave devices	Completed	Complete only if the DER is for generation and/storage
	TECH_TG_GSCL2	If Generation &/OR Storage, Energy Source	Advanced Fuel (produced via gasification or pyrolysis of biofuel or waste), Biofuel - Biogas from anaerobic digestion (excluding landfill & sewage), Biofuel - Landfill gas, Biofuel – Other, Biofuel - Sewage gas, Biomass, Fossil - Brown coal/lignite, Fossil - Coal gas, Fossil – Gas, Fossil - Hard coal, Fossil – Oil, Fossil - Oil shale, Fossil – Other, Fossil – Peat, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Nuclear, Solar, Waste, Water (flowing water or head of water), Wind, Stored Energy (all stored energy irrespective of the original energy source)	Completed	Complete only if the DER is for generation and/storage
	TECH_TG_DDCLS	If Demand, Technology Type	Air source heat pump, Ground source heat pump, Water source heat pump, Hybrid Heat pump, EV Charger DSR, EV Charger V2G, On site Battery, Flexible Site Demand	Completed	Complete only if the DER is for demand flexibility
DER Parameters	TECH_PS_INCAP	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Installed capacity (MW)	free text	Completed	The full-load output of the DER
	TECH_PS_FCDTU	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Flexible Active Capacity - Demand Turn-up (MW)	free text	Completed	The capacity, in MW, of your DER to increase its generation output. If Zero, please respond '0'
	TECH_PS_FCDTD	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Flexible Active Capacity - Demand Turn-down (MW)	free text	Completed	The capacity, in MW, of your DER to reduce its generation output. If Zero, please respond '0'
	TECH_PS_FCGTU	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Flexible Active Capacity - Generation Turn-up (MW)	free text	Completed	The capacity, in MW, of your DER to increase its demand on the network. If Zero, please respond '0'
	TECH_PS_FCGTD	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Flexible Active Capacity - Generation Turn-down (MW)	free text	Completed	The capacity, in MW, of your DER to reduce its demand on the network. If Zero, please respond '0'
	TECH_PS_REACE	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Reactive Export Capacity - Generation Turn-up (MW)	free text	Completed	The capacity, in MVar, that an DER has to generate reactive power: providing an inductive load and lagging effect on current with respect to the network voltage. If Zero, please respond '0'
	TECH_PS_REACE	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Reactive Import Capacity - Generation Turn-down (MW)	free text	Completed	The capacity, in MVar, that a DER has to absorb reactive power: providing a capacitive load and leading effect on current with respect to the network voltage. If Zero, please respond '0'
	TECH_PF_MINOD	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Min Operating Duration (HH:MM)	HH:MM	HH:MM	Minimum amount of time the DER is able to provide a flexibility response. Where a DER is able to run continuously beyond 24hrs, respond 'Unlimited'
	TECH_PF_MAXOD	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Max Operating Duration (HH:MM)	HH:MM, Unlimited	HH:MM	Maximum amount of time the DER is able to provide a flexibility response. Where a DER is able to run continuously beyond 24hrs, respond 'Unlimited'
	TECH_PS_RESPO	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Response Time (minutes)	HH:MM	HH:MM	The minimum time required for the DER to respond to a utilisation instruction.
	TECH_PS_RECOV	DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] Recovery Time	HH:MM	HH:MM	The time required by the DER [If Speculative, then Aggregated Group] to recover from one instruction until the next instruction can be actioned.
Metering	TECH_PS_METER	Metering Granularity (Second by Second, Minute by Minute or Half Hourly)	SS, MIN, HH	MIN, HH	The metering frequency available for the DER, or if speculative then for the Aggregated Group. Entry should be relevant to the service applicable, for example many DNOs do not accept second x second metering.

3Market Information

3.1Implementation tracking

The DNOs must provide the Market Facilitator with the data set out in Table 1 for each Sub-Market in scope of this Flexibility Market Rule. The data provided should accurately reflect their implementation of the rule within each Sub-Market.

The expected values required for compliance are also set out in Table 1.

Initial data shall be sent no later than 20 working days after the Published Date of this Flexibility Market Rule.

Updates shall be sent as soon as reasonably practical, and no later than 10 working days after any changes to the values.

Elexon reserves the right to publish this data within its Implementation Tracker.

Table 1: Implementation tracking requirements

FMR-PQC	Parameter	Required value (per Sub-Market)
Implementation Status	Dependent on date: Before Implementation Date: Not yet started, Implementing, Paused, Implemented Between Implementation Date and End Date: Implemented After End Date: Superseded
Target Implementation Date	No later than Implementation Date

FMR-PQC

Parameter

Required value (per Sub-Market)

Implementation Status

Dependent on date:

Before Implementation Date: Not yet started, Implementing, Paused, Implemented
Between Implementation Date and End Date: Implemented
After End Date: Superseded

Target Implementation Date

No later than Implementation Date

3.2Flexibility Market Catalogue data

The DNOs must update the Market Facilitator with the data set out in Table 2 below for each Sub-Market in scope of this Flexibility Market Rule. This should accurately reflect their implementation of each Sub-Market.

The expected values required for compliance are also set out in Table 2.

Initial data shall be sent no later than the Implementation Date of this Flexibility Market Rule.

Updates shall be sent as soon as reasonably practical, and no later than 10 working days after any changes to the values.

DNO/System Operators shall also publish this information themselves.

Elexon reserves the right to publish this data within its Flexibility Market Catalogue.

Table 2: Sub-Market definitions

Parameter	Description	Required Value
Non-Standard criteria in use?	Does the DNO use any non-standard terms (as submitted to the Market Facilitator as per section 2)	-

3.3Effectiveness monitoring

The following metrics shall be used to assess the effectiveness of the rule.

All DNOs must provide the Market Facilitator with any Additional Input Data as set out in Table 6 below for each Sub-Market in scope of this rule. The data provided should accurately reflect their implementation of the rule within each of their Sub-Markets.

The expected values minimum required values for compliance, if any, are also set out in Table 6.

Initial Additional Input Data shall be sent no later than 20 working days after the Implementation Date of this Flexibility Market Rule.

Additional Input Data shall be sent in accordance with the Cadence set out in Table 6.

Updates to Additional Input Data shall be sent as soon as reasonably practical, and no later than 10 working days after any changes to the values.

Elexon reserves the right to publish this data within its Implementation Tracker.

Table 3: Effectiveness monitoring metrics

Metric 1	Description	Number of variations to standardised pre-qualification criteria implemented per DNO
	Why are we tracking this?	To understand the level of alignment and difference across system operators
	Cadence	Every 6 months
	Data Source	Existing Data – Derogation requirements as set out in section 1 Additional Input Data - None
	What does good look like?	0
	Minimum Requirement	-

4Glossary

4.0

The following definitions are specific to this Flexibility Market Rule. These are supplemented by the definitions in the Market Facilitator Glossary. If there is an inconsistency between definitions, the definition in this document shall prevail.

Term	Meaning
None used in this document

FMR: Pre-Qualification Criteria - Amendment record

Guidance

This section is provided as guidance to the Flexibility Market Rule. Therefore, it is not legally binding and falls outside of the formal change management process.

Version	Published Date	Document Status	Description of Changes	Change Proposal Reference	Market Facilitator Decision Report Ref
1.0	12/12/2025	Final	Document Published	-	-
2.0	04/02/2026	Final	Housekeeping change	CP002	CP002

4.0.2

Annex 1: Associated meta-data

Guidance

This annex is provided as guidance to the Flexibility Market Rule. Therefore, it is not legally binding and falls outside of the formal change management process.

Identifier	FMR-PQC
Title	Pre-Qualification Criteria
Type	Flexibility Market Rule
Collection	Sub-Market Alignment
Audience	DNOs, Flexibility Service Providers
Expertise	Contracting, Onboarding
Owner	Market Facilitator
Expected benefit	Aligned, simplified process reducing FSP costs associated with the process
Related end-to-end process reference	Q.2 Qualify Counterparty (Commercially) Q.6 Pre-Qualify Assets
References
IsReferencedBy
Published version number	2.0
Applicability	All DNO sub-markets
Published Date	04/02/2026
Implementation Date	06/02/2026
End Date	-
Terms of variations	Self-derogation
IsReplacedBy	N/A
Replaces	N/A
Status	Final
Change since last version	Housekeeping change – Correction of Implementation Date. Addition of 10 technical criteria missed in first version. . Update to section 3.3, sub-market guidance and guidance on links segregation between Commercial and Technical qualification.
Description	What? This rule aligns the questions asked by DNOs to pre-qualify into their markets. How? There are now 31 standard commercial criteria, and 35 technical criteria to be used by the DNOs. Variations are permitted, but only if submitted to the Market Facilitator Who? This rule impact all DNOs, and in turn their Flexibility Service Providers. When? This rule comes into force in February 2026 Why? This rule aims to align and simplify the pre-qualification process, reducing the complexity and costs incurred by Flexibility Service Providers