About us
The European Payments Stakeholders Group (EPSG) is an International Non-Profit Association located in Brussels. The main task of the EPSG is the definition of SEPA requirements for Card-based and Instant Credit Transfer-based services.
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The Association is governed by the provisions of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code.
Its membership is open to any entity which is active in the market for payment services in an EEA Member State. According to this scope the EPSG as a multi-stakeholder group brings together the following industry sectors along the value chain of payment services:
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Retailers
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Vendors (manufacturers of cards, payment devices, and/or related IT systems);
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Processors (of payment transactions);
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Schemes and
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Payment Service Providers.
EPSG members must belong to one of these five Sectors.
EPSG in numbers
+100
30
experts involved
Member organisations
+15
16
countries represented
years contributing to payment industry development
The EPSG allows two membership categories “Full Members” and “Associate Members”. Full Members enjoy all membership rights, including the right to attend the meetings of the General Assembly and the Board. Only Full Members have the right to vote in both committees. Associate Members have the right to attend meetings of the General Assembly without any voting rights. Each Member contributes to the annual budget of the EPSG and pays annual membership fees.
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The EPSG allows two categories of Observers, "Institutional Observers" and "Standards Observers“. The European Central Bank is invited to attend the meetings of the bodies of the EPSG as an Institutional Observer. International or European standards bodies referenced in the Volume or deemed relevant to the Volume are invited to participate in EPSG bodies because of their expertise and as important partners for defining SEPA standards. Observers are not Members and have no other rights than the right to attend and participate in meetings of the bodies of the EPSG without any voting rights, and to receive the relevant information and documents.​​
Our Core Values
Guiding Principles for a Secure, Innovative, and Collaborative Payments Future
Collaboration
Building strong partnerships to drive innovation and efficiency in European payments.
Security
Ensuring robust, trusted, and secure payment systems for all stakeholders.
Integrity
Promoting transparency, fairness, and ethical practices across the payments ecosystem.
Innovation
Embracing new technologies to enhance payment system efficiency and inclusiveness.
Sustainability
Fostering long-term growth while minimizing the environmental impact of payment systems.
The institutional bodies of the EPSG are shown in the following figure
The General Assembly (GA) is composed of all Members. It is supported in its role by the Board and the Audit Committee. Only Full Members have the right to vote. Associate Members have the right to participate in the meetings of the GA without any voting rights. The GA in particular have the powers to admit, suspend and revoke Members and Observers, approve the annual accounts, work-plan and budget. It elects and revokes the members of the Board and the Chair and the Vice-Chair. The GA approves the By-Laws and the Internal Rules of the EPSG.
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The Board of Directors reports to the GA. It has all powers necessary to accomplish the purpose of the EPSG. In particular to take decisions on deliverables, proposals, and positions to be prepared by the EPSG. The Board monitors the implementation of its decisions and the daily management activity. It determines the strategy of the EPSG. The Board establishes the terms of reference and the composition of the Sub-Groups, Task Forces, and Expert Teams. The Board is composed of the five EPSG Sectors with a maximum of 5 members per sector. The Board representatives of each sector are defined by the members of the sectors. The Board adopts decisions first and foremost by consensus amongst its members.
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The Audit Committee is appointed by the GA for monitoring the compliance by all the members of all bodies of the EPSG and the Secretariat with the EPSG By-Laws and Internal Rules. It reviews the draft budget, its realisation and annual accounts, ensures the efficiency of the use of resources of the EPSG, and controls the correct application of relevant internal procedures of the EPSG as applicable.
The Volume Conformance Management Committee VCMC decides on matters related to Labelling. It is responsible for defining, maintaining, and publishing procedures related to the Labelling of Volume conformance as specified in the Volume. The VCMC furthermore oversees the Labelling process. It is a body with decision-making power in relation to the specific functions of Labelling. The VCMC acts under the responsibility of the Board.
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The Secretariat provides administrative support and project management services for EPSG activities. This includes support for process management, management of the EPSG information and communication services as well as support to the General Assembly, the Board, the VCMC, Sub-Groups, Task Forces, and Expert Teams. The Secretariat reports to the Chair and the Vice-Chair. The Secretariat is funded through the annual budget.
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The main task of the EPSG is the definition of SEPA requirements for card based services. This task is being done in the Volume Sub Group, its Expert Teams and Task Forces. The Volume Sub Group reports to the Board of Directors; it is not part of the institutional EPSG bodies.
Contact Us
Address
Rue Abbé Cuypers 3
1040 Brussels
Contact
Tel: +39 331 63 19 145
Secretariat
Square de Meeûs 38/40
1000 Brussels