Any stakeholder can participate in the SEPA schemes change-management process organised by the , and the EPC also conducts a dialogue with stakeholders in formal bodies.
The Euro Retail Payments Board
One such external body is the Euro Retail Payments Board (). The ERPB is a high-level body chaired by the European Central Bank, bringing together the supply and demand sides of the industry to address strategic retail payments issues. Major topics impacting the schemes can be discussed at the ERPB, such as the creation of the ’s Instant Credit Transfer ( Inst) scheme. The EPC provided regular updates about the while it was in development, and will keep the ERPB updated in the future.
The Scheme End-User Forum (SEUF)
SEUF is formed by representatives of European associations of end-users of the schemes, such as consumers, (e-)merchants and corporate treasurers.
The Scheme Technical Forum (ESTF)
ESTF is made up of the representatives of technical players who provide services facilitating the processing of transactions under the schemes. Members of this forum include, for example, Clearing and Settlement Mechanism organisations, technical solution providers and payment messaging services companies.
The regularly involves these forums in the evolution of the schemes (including the creation of a new scheme – for example, they were consulted during the development of the Inst scheme). These forums have an active part to play as they can address issues and make recommendations to the EPC. The EPC publishes their positions and comments on the change requests that were subject to a public consultation.
SEUF and ESTF are renewed on a two-yearly basis, starting from their creation in September 2015.
The call for candidates for the renewal of the SEUF and ESTF compositions for a mandate until September 2019 is open until 30 June 2017. Information about the criteria to be a candidate, and how to apply for membership, is available in the SEUF and ESTF profiles.
Further information about these forums, summaries of their past meetings, and their positions on the latest public consultations on the scheme rulebooks are available: