About EPC

SEPA Scheme Management

The principles governing scheme management are set out in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) Scheme Management Internal Rules (see below).

There are two functions of SEPA Scheme management:

The first function, which is performed by the Scheme Management Committee, is the administration of the SEPA Schemes. This includes the approval of applications to adhere to the schemes and overseeing the compliance with the scheme rulebooks.

The second function is the development and evolution of the SEPA Schemes. The change management procedures which are in place, aim to ensure that the schemes are kept up to date and relevant for their users. These procedures include structured processes for initiating and implementing changes to the schemes, the rulebooks and related documentation. The development and evolution function is performed by the European Payments Council (EPC) Plenary, supported by the SEPA Payment Schemes Working Group.

Role of the Scheme Management Committee (SMC)

The SMC, is responsible for performing the administration and compliance processes of SEPA Scheme management, with regard to the SEPA Credit Transfer Scheme (SCT) and the SEPA Direct Debit Schemes (SDD).

The SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules (see below) set out the four functions of the SMC:

Adherence: The SMC administers and approves adherence applications of payment service providers wishing to become scheme participants.
Complaints: The SMC is responsible for the investigation, evaluation and determination of complaints made against scheme participants in relation to alleged breaches of the rulebooks.
Conciliation: The SMC may provide a voluntary conciliation service to scheme participants and to the EPC. Conciliation may only be used to determine unresolved issues that arise in respect of the rulebooks. This service is only available where the participant requesting this service can demonstrate that it has used reasonable endeavours to resolve disputes at a local level through national dispute resolution bodies.
Appeals: The SMC appeals function determines whether a decision, reached in complaints and adherence matters by the SMC in respect of an affected participant or a rejected applicant at first instance, was correct and, where appropriate, justifies the sanction imposed.

In addition, the SMC oversees the activities of the EPC's Certification Authority Supervisory Board (CASB). The CASB handles applications from certification authorities who wish to become EPC approved in offering e-mandate services. For details on the CASB see this dedicated page on the EPC Website: EPC Approval of Certification Authorities.

The SMC administration and compliance processes aim to ensure that the SEPA Schemes are administered fairly and transparently at every stage, in accordance with the rulebooks and general principles of applicable law.

Composition of the SMC

The SMC consists of twelve members, nine of whom are drawn from the banking industry and three of whom are independent members. The Chair of the SMC is an independent member. SMC members are appointed for an initial three-year term, which is renewable once for members drawn from the banking industry and twice for independent members. The maximum number of SMC members may be increased with up to 4 additional members for a short-term appointment of maximum one year.

The SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules set out the requirements for the appointment of members. A member of the SMC must be of good repute, possess appropriate academic and vocational qualifications, together with relevant work experience and a proven track record at a senior level in the payment services sector. The independent members of the SMC are not employed, or otherwise affiliated with a scheme participant or its banking communities, service providers or a payment services user group or user association.

SMC contact information

If a scheme participant wishes to contact the SMC with regard to matters not related to conciliation, complaints or appeals, scheme participants should submit their queries in writing to the following email address:

smc@epc-cep.eu

Scheme participants wishing to communicate with the SMC regarding conciliation, complaints or appeals should submit an application for conciliation, or file a complaint or an appeal or any information related thereto in writing to one of the following email addresses, as appropriate:

smc-conciliation@epc-cep.eu

smc-complaints@epc-cep.eu

smc-appeals@epc-cep.eu