FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does EAPS work?
EAPS harnesses the efficiencies historically enjoyed by national card schemes. It allows independent card schemes within Europe to extend their geographic reach across the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), by connecting the networks of EAPS participants in different European markets. EAPS defines common rules for mutually advantageous inter-scheme agreements to be established between participants.
Who can join EAPS?
Participation in EAPS is open to all SEPA-compliant independent European card schemes, acquirers and payment institutions throughout Europe. Schemes can participate in EAPS as issuers only, acquirers only, POS only or ATM only - or any combination thereof. Participant scheme rules must comply with SEPA requirements.
How secure are EAPS card transactions?
EAPS adheres to the Chip and PIN standards as stated in the SEPA Cards Framework. All newly issued cards support Chip and PIN, enabling issuers to reduce fraud levels. All components of an EAPS card transaction require the highest possible security level. Rules set out by EAPS include a payment guarantee for merchants, ensuring merchants are paid once transactions are authorised.
What are the commercial arrangements between EAPS participants?
The commercial arrangements between participating schemes are under permanent regulatory supervision. As such EAPS’ commercial arrangements comply with EU legislation and competition requirements. Rather than establish a new set of interchange fees, EAPS supports participant negotiations on bilateral inter-scheme fees, which can be integrated into individual fee arrangements.
Do EAPS participants become interdependent?
EAPS participants are not interdependent. Any participant is free to join EAPS as an issuing or acquiring participant for ATM and / or POS. Participants cooperate within EAPS, however they do not automatically become dependent on each other. There is no requirement for participants to align business models.
What messaging standards are used by processors?
EAPS allows messaging standards to be bilaterally agreed between participants. In the absence of a bilaterally agreed messaging standard between issuer and acquirer, the Berlin Group standard is used as default. In the experience of several processors in different countries, the Berlin Group standard has been easy to implement.
How does EAPS stimulate competition within the European payment industry?
EAPS stimulates competition within the European payments market in a number of ways:
- All participating schemes can operate in all EAPS countries
- All participating acquirers can accept EAPS cards throughout the SEPA area
- As EAPS supports open standards, service providers have a transparent and level playing field
- As EAPS does not offer processing services, all participants can choose their own technical service providers.
How does EAPS benefit cardholders?
Consumers who carry cards issued by a scheme or issuer participating in EAPS will be able to use their cards at an increasing number of EAPS compliant ATMs and POS terminals throughout Europe, without incurring higher charges. When using their card for cross border EAPS transactions, cardholders will have the same experience as if they were using their card in their home country. Cardholders can easily identify ATMs and POS terminals which accept EAPS cards, by the EAPS acceptance logo.
How does EAPS benefit merchants?
Merchants who choose an acquirer participating in EAPS are able to accept an increased number of payment cards. Competition among EAPS compliant acquirers enables merchants to freely choose the acquirer who best serves their requirements. Merchants are not required to make costly infrastructure investments in order to accept EAPS cards, since existing infrastructures and POS terminals can be used.
How do merchants begin accepting EAPS cards?
Merchants wishing to accept EAPS cards should find out more by talking to an acquirer participating in EAPS either directly or through a European card scheme participating in EAPS already.
How do card schemes, acquirers, payment institutions or processors participate in EAPS?
Please visit the ‘Become a Participant’ page for further information or contact EAPS on info@card-alliance.eu / +32 255 036 28.
