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 Scheme Management Internal Rules (the Internal Rules).

The Internal Rules contain descriptions of the internal organisation, structure, rules, and processes that make up the scheme management of the SEPA Credit Transfer and SEPA Direct Debit Schemes. Such processes cover administration and compliance, and change management, including structured dialogue with stakeholders. The Internal Rules are considered an integral part of the scheme rulebooks. These Internal Rules are available for download on the EPC Website .

The SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules Change Request 2012 (document EPC141-12, see below) details suggestions for possible modifications to be introduced into the next version of the Internal Rules. The SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules 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 page 4 of this Change Request.

The EPC submits the SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules 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 Internal Rules.

• To share your feedback on this Change Request, please complete the online questionnaire posted at http://www.smart-survey.co.uk/v.asp?i=52472mdfbv. 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 SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules Change Request 2012, which are broadly accepted by all stakeholders, are taken forward. The updated version of the Internal Rules will be published in November 2012.

Version 1.0 of this SEPA Scheme Management Internal Rules 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 the addition in Annex I of detailed wording suggested by the EPC Legal Support Group concerning the impact of Regulation 260/2012 establishing technical and business requirements for credit transfers and direct debits in euro and amending Regulation (EC) No 924/2009.