The "Act on Metering Point Operation and Data Communication in Smart Energy Networks" (Messstellenbetriebsgesetz - MsbG) has been in force since September 2016. The MsbG creates binding framework conditions for the secure and data protection-compliant use of smart metering systems in different areas of application (smart metering/sub-metering, smart grid, smart mobility, smart home/smart building and smart services).

With the MsbG, the legislator has given the BSI responsibility for developing requirements for trustworthy product components (SMGW with integrated security module), its secure IT operation (administration) and the trustworthy communication infrastructure (smart metering public key infrastructure). For this purpose, the BSI defines technical standards for smart metering systems in the form of Protection Profiles (PP) and Technical Guidelines (TR). These serve to guarantee data protection, data security and interoperability at the highest level and represent the basic prerequisite for trust and acceptance.