European network codes
European gas infrastructure is operated according to rules that help regulate the role of infrastructure operators and determine how access to infrastructure is allocated to users across the EU. In the past, these operating and marketing rules were drawn up nationally. As gas infrastructures are increasingly interconnected between member states, rules are now defined at EU level to effectively manage these gas flows, aiming to reduce barriers to market participants' entry, promote market integration and improve market efficiency for the benefit of all users across the EU.
These sets of rules, known as network codes or guidelines, are legally binding European Commission Implementing Regulations.
This page presents the network codes related to the access and operation of the infrastructures, as well as the decisions related to the network codes.
Regulation (EU) 2014/312 - BAL NC: Network Code on Gas Balancing of Transmission Networks
Regulation (EU) 2014/312 of 26 March 2014 establishing a Network Code on Gas Balancing of Transmission Networks
The Network Code on Gas Balancing of Transmission Networks (BAL NC) establishes a Network Code setting out gas balancing rules, including network-related rules on nomination procedures, imbalance charges, settlement processes associated with the daily imbalance charge and operational balancing between transmission system operators’ networks.
Regulation (EU) 2015/703 - INT NC: Network code on interoperability and data exchange rules
Regulation (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 establishing a network code on interoperability and data exchange rules
The Network code on interoperability and data exchange rules (INT NC) establishes a network code which sets out rules regarding interoperability and data exchange as well as harmonised rules for the operation of gas transmission systems. This Regulation should facilitate commercial and operational cooperation between adjacent transmission system operators, insofar as it addresses issues in the context of interconnection agreements, units, gas quality, odorization and data exchange.
Regulation (EU) 2017/459 - CAM NC: Network code on capacity allocation mechanisms in gas transmission systems
Regulation (EU) 2017/459 of 16 March 2017 establishing a network code on capacity allocation mechanisms in gas transmission systems and repealing Regulation (EU) 2013/984
The Network Code on Capacity Allocation Mechanisms (CAM NC) harmonises how network users can use the gas transmission network to enter or exit a market, and how these capacity rights can be obtained. Different forms of standard capacity products exist: there are long-term (monthly, quarterly and yearly) and short-term (day and within-day) capacity contracts. The use of the transmission network can be unrestricted (firm capacity) or with restrictions (interruptible and conditional capacity products).
- Guidelines on Congestion Management Procedures
Comission Decision of 24 August 2012 on amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks
The Guidelines on Congestion Management Procedures (CMP GL) harmonise the approaches to identify and deal with contractual congestion. The presence of contractual congestion implies that some network users cannot get the capacity product of their choice and must rely on mitigating measures to access the market. Such measures are necessary to improve the efficient network usage and the overall market efficiency, and to avoid investment in physical capacity when contracted capacity remains unused. Congestion management is strongly connected to capacity allocation, both dealing with network access rights.
