New Era in Natural Gas Subscriptions: EPDK Regulation Changes Service Standards

New Regulation and Service Standards The "Regulation Amending the Natural Gas Market Distribution and Customer Services Regulation," prepared by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), has come into effect following its publication in the Official Gazette dated February 21, 2026.
The new regulation includes significant changes to fundamental service standards such as subscriber connection fees, security deposits, meter operations, billing periods, and the definition of illegal natural gas usage.
Connection Fees and Refund Conditions The subscriber connection fee will be collected as a one-time payment during the connection agreement.
If a connection fee has previously been paid for the same address, it cannot be collected again.
Other key provisions include: If the construction of the service line has not yet started, the fee will be refunded within 5 business days upon request.
Distribution companies are obligated to make the gas supply ready within a maximum of 30 days from the collection of the connection fee.
This period can be extended up to 90 days with the applicant's consent.
Installment options of up to 6 months on credit cards will be offered for connection fee payments.
Security Deposits and Exemptions Security deposits for subscribers using mechanical meters can be paid in cash or in at least 6 equal installments via credit card without interest.
Under the new regulation, the following groups are exempt from security deposits: Users of prepaid meters Places of worship and cemevis Quran courses affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs Households receiving social assistance Public administrations, excluding commercial facilities Meter Interventions and Billing The installation, removal, and control of meters will be carried out exclusively by the distribution company.
Any intervention in meters, regulators, remote reading, or smart measurement systems will be directly considered illegal usage.
Customers will be held responsible for damages resulting from external interference.
New regulations regarding invoice reading periods specify that if the reading period is shortened due to the distribution company, the payment period is set at a minimum of 25 days.
If the reading period is extended, the consumption fee will be accrued in at least 4 installments without interest.
In cases where debts or security deposit installments remain unpaid for three months, it has become mandatory to notify the subscriber at least 3 business days in advance through at least two different communication methods before contract termination.