What is the Supply Start Date (SSD for short)?
There will probably be a gap between signing the contract and starting supply. This is because a new supplier will need to register it self as your supplier, and this process can take a little time, approximately 28 days. What does your contract say about when your supply will start? If the supplier is not willing to promise that it will happen by a particular date, make sure that it is at least promising to do all it can (often called reasonable endeavours in the language of contracts) to start the supply quickly. If you have not entered into a new supply contract in sufficient time for your supply start date to coincide with the expiry of your current contract, you may be charged by your old supplier at “out of contract” deemed rates until your new supply contract is signed. These rates will usually be higher than your contracted rate.
