SEPA Vision for Cards

SEPA for Cards

The aim of creating a SEPA for Cards is to enable European customers (card-holders and merchants) to use general purpose cards to make and receive payments and withdraw cash in euro throughout the SEPA area with the same ease and convenience as they do in their home country.

European consumers should benefit from a wider acceptance of their cards within SEPA and more choice of card products than before.

European merchants should benefit from a more competitive acquiring market, and be able to choose which card schemes to accept and from which acquirer (i.e. a bank that services card-accepting merchants).

SEPA Cards Framework

The SEPA Cards Framework (SCF) developed by the EPC is a policy document which states how actors in the cards market such as card schemes, card-issuing banks, banks servicing card-accepting merchants and other service providers must adapt their current operations to comply with the SEPA vision for card payments in euro. While it is the choice of any actor in the cards market whether to become SCF-compliant or not, the EPC's members have pledged to conform to the conditions of the SCF in their capacities as issuers and acquirers.

EPC Cards Standardisation Programme

The SEPA for Cards will be achieved to the greatest extent possible through the use of open and free standards, available to all parties within the cards payment value chain. In cooperation with other stakeholders, the EPC is carrying out a cards standardisation programme designed to remove any technical obstacles preventing a consistent customer experience throughout SEPA.

SEPA Vision for Cards

SEPA for Cards

SEPA Cards Framework

EPC Cards Standardisation Programme

Related files