General provisions
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
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 exchange : the data is wrapped into a file and automatically exchanged between the respective IT systems;
(b) integrated data exchange : the data is exchanged between two applications directly on the respective IT systems;
(c) interactive data exchange : the 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. Entsog shall publish such an equivalent data format.
(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. Entsog shall publish such an equivalent data format.
(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. Where a potential need to change the common data exchange solution is identified, Entsog, on its own initiative or on the request of ACER, should evaluate relevant technical solutions and produce a cost-benefit analysis of the potential change(s) that would be needed including the analysis of the reasons that make a technological evolutional step necessary. A public consultation involving all stakeholders shall be carried out by Entsog including the presentation of the result of the evaluation and proposal(s) based on the cost-benefit analysis realised.
Where an amendment to the common data exchange solutions is considered necessary, Entsog shall submit a proposal to ACER in accordance with the procedure set out in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009.
Data exchange system security and availability
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
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 of the transmission system operator.
Development process for common network operation tools
1. For each data exchange requirement under Article 20(2), Entsog shall develop a common network operation tool in accordance with Article 8(3)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 and shall publish it on its website. A common network operation tool shall specify the common data exchange solution relevant for the respective data exchange requirement. A common network operation tool may also include business requirement specifications, release management and implementation guidelines.
2. Entsog shall establish a transparent process for the development of all common network operation tools. Entsog shall conduct a consultation for each common network operation tool.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
