37 Electricity market 175. Public Power Corporation (DEH) was established in 1950 for an unlimited duration as a corporation for electricity generation, transmission and distribution throughout Greece. In 1999, Act 2773/1999 on Liberalization of the Electricity market, regulation of energy policy issues and other provisions 1 provided for, among other provisions, the transformation of DEH into a public limited company. DEH’s transformation to a public limited company became effective on 1st January 2001, by virtue of the Presidential Decree 333/2000. According to Act 2773/1999 the Greek State is not permitted to hold less than 51% of the voting shares of DEH, including voting shares issued after any increase in its share capital. 176. Act 2773/1999 incorporated the provisions of Directive 96/92/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity.2 177. Act 2773/1999 liberalized the Greek electricity market. Accordingly, as from 19 February, 2001, with the exception of non-interconnected islands, consumers with an annual consumption of more than 100 GWh per point of consumption (eligible customers) are allowed to conclude supply contracts with energy suppliers on the basis of private agreements. As of July 1, 2007, all consumers will be considered eligible customers with the exception of micro isolated islands’ consumers whose supply of energy will be done exclusively by the DEH. 178. The DEH is the Greece's largest electricity generator, the sole owner of transmission assets and currently the sole distributor of electricity in the country, providing electricity to approximately 7.1 million customers as at 31 December 2005. It is therefore subject to public service obligations.3 Working and employment conditions in the lignite mines General obligations and definitions 179. The main general legislation governing occupational health and safety is Act 1568/19854, which establishes which authorities have responsibility at national and regional level for improving working conditions. Section 4 requires undertakings with more than 50 employees to appoint safety technicians and occupational physicians. Section 2 authorises employees to set up health and safety councils or committees. Sections 17 to 21 lay down the basic principles relating to safety in general, and more specifically safety at work, and sections 24 to 28 are concerned with protection against physical, biological and chemical agents. Finally sections 33 to 35, as amended, lay down penalties for breaches of the legislation. 180. Following the entry into force of presidential decree 17/1996 (see below), only the first part of the aforementioned act – relating to occupational medicine, safety technicians and employee committees – has applied to mining activities. 1 Official Journal A 286. Official Journal n° L 027, 30/01/1997 p. 0020 – 0029; deadline for transposition : 19 February 1999 3 DEH s.a. Annual Report, 1.1.2001-31.12.2002, DEH s.a. Annual Report 2005. 4 Official Journal A 177 (10/10/1985). 2