New Dutch Energy Act: how Twikey keeps you compliant

The easiest solution for the new identification requirement of new contract holders.

What changes on 1 July 2026?

With the entry into force of the new Energy Act, all energy suppliers face an additional obligation: you must verify whether the contract holder matches the IBAN account holder, and report the outcome to the grid operator.

What does this mean in practice for suppliers?

When signing a new contract, you must check within 90 days whether the name of the contract holder matches the name of the IBAN account holder. This applies to both individual consumers and small business customers. After the check, there are three possible outcomes:

• Match between IBAN and name: everything is in order.
• Mismatch: inform your customer and ask for a correction, explanation, or confirmation.
• No response or confirmation.

In all cases above, the result must then be reported to the grid operator. On paper, this sounds like a lot of extra work, but it doesn’t have to be.

How Twikey helps

Twikey makes complying with the Energy Act easy, fast, and fully automated. Our solution combines IBAN-name validation with the ability to obtain a SEPA Direct Debit mandate online immediately.

IBAN validation and a direct debit mandate in one step

When a mandate is issued, Twikey receives the customer’s name and IBAN via the bank.

Obtaining the SEPA mandate can be done at multiple touchpoints, so it doesn’t create friction in the onboarding process for new customers. Real-life examples where this is currently used include:

• during the sign-up flow
• in the contract confirmation
• via the first invoice
• in the customer portal

More than 25 energy companies already use Twikey for their onboarding and direct debit processes, resulting in:

✅ validated IBAN and name
✅ less fraud
✅ better payment outcomes
✅ lower administrative workload
✅ full SEPA compliance

Compliant even without a mandate

Does a customer (still) not want to set up direct debit? No problem. Twikey can also perform an IBAN–name check without any customer action, and return the result:

• Match
• Close match
• No match

This way, you still meet the IBAN-name validation requirement.

Extended verification options

In addition to IBAN-name checks, Twikey can optionally offer extra validations, fully configurable to your needs:

• account age
• balance information
• direct debit return behavior

Legally and technically sound

Twikey’s digital mandates are legally valid and comply with the strictest security guidelines. We process only the necessary data and fully comply with Dutch and European privacy legislation (AVG/GDPR).

Example of a compliant onboarding flow

1. Customer signs up via website, app, or an energy comparison site.
2. During or after sign-up, the customer can sign a mandate straight away.
3. Alternative moments:
   • via the thank-you page
   • in the contract confirmation (personal link)
   • in the customer portal
   • via a payment button on the first invoice
4. Customers who don’t provide a mandate are automatically validated via an IBAN–name check.
5. Twikey delivers the results: Match / Close match / No match.
6. Everything is ready to share with the grid operator.

The benefits at a glance

✅ Compliance with the new Energy Act
✅ Automated IBAN–name checks and reporting
✅ E-mandates (digital direct debits): legally sound and SEPA compliant
✅ Fraud reduction through immediate verification
✅ Time savings: no in-house development required
✅ Full automation of notifications and customer communication
✅ Improved cashflow through higher direct debit success rates

Conclusion

With Twikey, you kill two birds with one stone: you effortlessly meet the new identification requirement and optimise your payment processes at the same time. You stay compliant, save time, and strengthen your cashflow.