SEPA Request-to-Pay (SRTP) Scheme
Homologation  

 

SRTP will play a major role in the transformation of payments in Europe. The establishment of an efficient and reliable process for the onboarding of SEPA Request-to-Pay (SRTP) service providers is essential. The homologation of SRTP service providers is a cornerstone within this onboarding process.
Sopra Steria & Gallit have been officially selected by the European Payments Council (EPC) as the Homologation Body (HB) to verify and certify the compliance of SRTP Service Providers with the SRTP Scheme as defined by the SRTP rulebook.

European Payments Council

European Payments Council (EPC) contributes to harmonized payments in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). The EPC defines Payment Schemes that covers a set of rules, practices, and standards published in rulebooks and makes it possible for an eligible SEPA service provider to join, participate and operate in the Scheme.
Further details are provided on the website of the EPC: https://www.europeanpaymentscouncil.eu.

SEPA Request-to-Pay Scheme

One of the key payment-related focus areas is SEPA Request-to-Pay (SRTP), which allows a Payee to request initiation of a payment from a Payer in a wide range of physical or online cases.
Further details are provided on the EPC website: The SEPA Request-to-Pay (SRTP) Scheme

Scope SRTP process

The scope of the SRTP process includes the sub-processes between the underlying transaction and the payment transaction itself:

SRTP process: Request-to-Pay and Acceptance or Refusal of the Request-to-Pay


Homologation

An Applicant, who wishes to participate in the SRTP Scheme, needs to be homologated. The Homologation Body (Sopra Steria Benelux) checks the compliancy of  the Applicant against the SRTP rulebook and grants a certificate, if “passed”. The homologation report and certificate are mandatory inputs for the EPC to finalize the adherence process.

 

Homologation process

Adherence to the SEPA Request-to-Pay Scheme requires homologation and certification of the Applicant. What are the different steps of the homologation process?

Apply for adherence to the SRTP Scheme

To become participant of the SRTP Scheme, an Applicant triggers the adherence process towards the EPC, as described in the SRTP rulebook and detailed under the related Guide to the SRTP scheme adherence process. The EPC initially identifies the applicant and evaluates whether it could be eligible to participate in the Scheme. The applicant then receives a confirmation from the EPC via email and communicates the information on the applicant to the HB, including the EPC reference number and the type of homologation required.

Initiate the homologation

In case of positive initial evaluation, the Applicant is invited to proceed with the initiation of the homologation process with the HB via SRTPHomologation@soprasteria.com referencing the EPC registration number and the homologation type.

Contract & Billing

The HB shares a standard contract, as agreed by EPC, with the Applicant for signature. On receipt of the signed contract, the HB countersigns the contract and shares the document together with the invoice to the Applicant. The billing process is initiated.

Kick-off

Once the contract is signed and the payment received, the HB organizes an online kick-off meeting with the Applicant. The main purpose of the meeting is to clarify the homologation process, approach and information (questionnaires and documents) to be provided. 

The HB and the Applicant agree on a project plan  considering that the HB is bound to finalise the homologation process within one month and complete it  within a maximum of  six-month after the identification phase with the EPC.

Deliver information

As agreed during the kick-off meeting, the Applicant delivers the requested information to the HB by the planned date. 

The HB performs an initial check on the information delivered, which should be complete, accurate and relevant. The Applicant receives an acknowledgement of receipt, with complementary request, as needed.

If the information is accepted, the execution of homologation begins and takes a month maximum until final certification.

Review of information

On receipt of the correct information, the HB reviews information and verify evidence related to:

  • Performance and availability of the infrastructure
  • Fraud
  • Testing capabilities
  • Educating customers (Payees & Payers)
  • Educating staff members
  • Documentation
  • Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
  • Subcontractor management
  • Monitoring (Service Level Agreements)

In case of impediments or non-compliances the Applicant will be informed immediately to allow remediation which should be done before the end of the 1-month period to avoid a “Fail”.

Remark: At this moment, the review of information is operational within the homologation process.

Execution of testing

The HB executes several tests in line with the specifications provided by the EPC. These tests include:

  • Functional testing
  • Technical testing
  • Penetration testing

For testing purposes, the Homologation Body uses dedicated platform and tools.

In case of impediments or non-compliances the Applicant will be informed immediately to allow remediation which should be done before the end of the 1-month period to avoid a “Fail”.

Remark: At this moment, the execution of testing cannot be done. The test environment integrates the requirements of a future version of the SRTP rulebook.  The availability of the testing part will be communicated in due course.

Reporting & certification

When assessements and tests are completed, a report is delivered. There are two conclusions possible:

  • “Pass” – the Applicant is conforming to the requirements of the SRTP rulebook. In this case, the report and certificate are addressed to the Applicant
  • “Fail” – the Applicant is not conforming to some of the requirements of the SRTP rulebook and should initiate a new homologation request with the EPC. In this case the report is addressed to the Applicant.

The homologation body shares the report and certificate with the EPC.

Finalize the onboarding to the SRTP Scheme

The Applicant, who successfully passes the homologation, provides the certificate of homologation to the EPC to continue with the adherence process. If all conditions are met, the Applicant becomes participant of the SRTP Scheme.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the actors in the homologation process

Homologation Body

The Homologation Body is officially mandated by the EPC to:

  • Perform the necessary reviews, assessments and testing to ensure that a SRTP Applicant has the technical, operational, security and business continuity capabilities conforming to the SRTP scheme as defined by the rulebook.
  • Validate that the SRTP Applicant complies with the SRTP rulebook and the related SRTP Implementation Guidelines.
  • Be the primary contact for the SRTP Applicants for homologation.
  • Set up and maintain the homologation framework and process.
  • Ensure effective communication with the Applicant and EPC.
  • Deliver a homologation report and the certificate of homologation in case of success.

European Payment Council (EPC) 

The EPC as Scheme Manager is responsible for:

  • The adherence process, from processing request by the Applicant to the publication of the participant in the SRTP Scheme register.
  • The adherence decision to the SRTP Scheme.
  • Decision about the type of homologation to be applied.

The SRTP Applicant

The SRTP Applicant undertakes the following tasks:

  • Makes itself familiar with the SRTP Scheme Rulebook and related documents and take the appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the SRTP Scheme Rulebook requirements.
  • Contact the EPC to kick-start the adherence process.
  • Once initially identified by the EPC, proceed with the homologation as instructed by the EPC.
  • Sign Applicant contract with the HB and execute payment to the HB before kick-off.
  • Provide all the information/documents/evidence requested by the HB for the Homologation Process, complete and in a timely manner.
  • Identify and inform the HB on confidential information.

 

Homologation types & fees

Types of homologations

Based on the information provided in the adherence documents and based on the number of homologation requirements to be validated, the EPC gives an indication to the HB on the required type of homologation:

  • Standard Homologation
  • Simplified Homologation A 

The current standard homologation is applicable to the Rulebook:

  • EPC014-20 2022 
  • version 2.0
  • Date issued: 30 November 2021
  • Date Effective: 1 June 2022 

Pricing

The fee for the Standard Homologation is set at €21.000,00. 
The fee for the Simplified A Homologation is set at €17.500,00.
The Homologation fees are excluding any applicable taxes. 

This fee covers all the tasks and activities (Document & questionnaires analysis, testing) the Applicant will be required to comply with and adhere to the homologation process V1.0 and V2.0.  

 

Documents and links

Documents: 

SRTP Homologation Process Guide (pdf - 1 Mo)

 

Links:

 

Contact Details

For any further information about the adherence to the SRTP Scheme, please contact the European Payments Council:

For homologation request or for information related to the homologation process, address your mail to: SRTPHomologation@soprasteria.com.

 

European Payments Council