Article 2

For the purpose of this Regulation the definitions of Directive 2009/73/EC, Regulation (EC) No 713/2009 and Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 shall apply. In addition the following definitions shall apply: ‘protected customers’ means all household customers connected to a gas distribution network and, in addition, where the Member State concerned so decides, may also include: small and medium-sized enterprises, provided that they are connected to a gas distribution network, and essential social services, provided that they are connected to a gas distribution or transmission network, and provided that all these additional customers do not represent more than 20 % of the final use of gas; and/or district heating installations to the extent that they deliver heating to household customers and to the customers referred to in point (a) provided that these installations are not able to switch to other fuels and are connected to a gas distribution or transmission network. As soon as possible and no later than 3 December 2011 Member States shall notify the Commission whether they intend to include points (a) and/or (b) in their definition of protected customers; ‘Competent Authority’ means the national governmental authority or the national regulatory authority designated by each Member State to be responsible for ensuring the implementation of the measures set out in this Regulation. This is without prejudice to the ability of Member States to allow the Competent Authority to delegate specific tasks set out in this Regulation to other bodies. Such delegated tasks shall be performed under the supervision of the Competent Authority and shall be specified in the plans referred to in Article 4.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-04 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.