The European Payments Council (EPC) annual scheme change management process provides all Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) stakeholders with a unique opportunity to shape the future of euro payments: all stakeholders are invited and encouraged to take part in the public debate on the changes to be incorporated into the SEPA Direct Debit (SDD) Business to Business (B2B) Rulebook.

The SDD B2B Change Request 2012 (document EPC140-12, see below) details suggestions for possible modifications to be introduced into the next version of the SDD B2B Rulebook. This consultation document builds on suggestions for changes submitted by customer representatives, banking communities and by EPC Working and Support Groups. The SDD B2B Change Request 2012 offers the recommendations of the EPC SEPA Payment Schemes Working Group (SPS WG) on the way forward with regard to individual suggestions. An overview of the suggestions for changes and related recommendations by the SPS WG is provided on pages 6 through 10 of this Change Request.

The EPC submits the SDD B2B Change Request 2012 for public consultation. The 2012 public consultation takes place between 16 May and 13 August 2012. All stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the possible changes to be introduced into the next version of the SDD B2B Rulebook.

• To share your feedback on this Change Request, please complete the online questionnaire posted at http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=52471iyxtm. Please send your response by 13 August 2012.
• Should you encounter any technical difficulties in accessing or completing this questionnaire, please contact the EPC Secretariat at secretariat@epc-cep.eu.

Proposed changes detailed in this SDD B2B Change Request 2012, which are broadly accepted by all stakeholders, are taken forward. The updated version of the SDD B2B Rulebook will be published in November 2012. This updated version of the SCT Rulebook will take effect on 1 February 2014; for details, refer to this dedicated page on the EPC Website: SCT / SDD Rulebook Release Management and Scheme Development.

 In accordance with industry best practice, payment service providers and their suppliers have sufficient lead time to address rulebook updates prior to such updates taking effect.

Version 1.0 of this SDD B2B Change Request was published on 16 May 2012. The updated version 1.1 of this Change Request was published on 26 June 2012. The changes in this version 1.1 compared to version 1.0 include: