SEPA Mandate

SEPA Direct Debit Mandate

If you need to create an SDD (SEPA Direct Debit) Mandate, the EPC have produced a guide entitled The SDD Mandate Layout Guide. This can be downloaded for free from the EPC website. There is also a free template download available from their document library.

Although the general layout of the content is not restricted, some information is mandatory and must be present on the Mandate. This includes information for the Debtor to identify the collection on their bank account, such as a Unique Mandate Reference (UMR). The UMR is supplied by the creditor. The Debtor must be aware of the reference before a collection is made. It also appears against the SDD transaction on the Debtor’s bank statement. 

The UMR must, as the name suggests, be unique. It could, for example, be per service provided to the Debtor. The Mandate must also include the relevant legal text regarding the instruction and SEPA Direct Debit Refund rules. Other rules exist around the Mandate’s design and layout, all of which aid with successful collections and protect the integrity of the scheme.

SEPA Mandates vary in layout and content, depending on the type of SDD collection you wish to make. There are different rules for wording depending on the frequency of collection or for 3rd party payments. With 3rd party payments, additional collection details are required, including the details of the service/product being paid for and/or details of the collection(s). Both the required debtor and frequency details must be present on the Mandate, but varying combinations of the two are permitted.

Box Image SEPA Direct Debit Mandate recurring

SEPA Direct Debit Mandate recurring

This allows recurring Direct Debits to be collected under the SEPA Direct Debit Core scheme.

As this is a recurring or ongoing collection, the Mandate is maintained at the Debtor’s bank for repeat use. It will go dormant after 36 months of no collection.

Box Image SEPA Direct Debit Mandate - One off

SEPA Direct Debit Mandate - One off

This allows one-off Direct Debits to be collected under the SEPA Direct Debit Core scheme from a single Debtor.

The Mandate is destroyed after its one and only use.

E-Mandates

An E-Mandate would be completed by your customer through an electronic channel within their own Internet banking service. The use of E-Mandates is covered by the SEPA Direct Debit rulebooks; however, it remains an optional service for the bank. It is yet to be offered by many banks, thus making the use of E-Mandates unrealistic in the current environment. This may well change as the PSD2 European regulation for electronic payment services comes into force across Europe, alongside open banking.

Box Image Third-party mandate

Third-party mandate

This should be used where a different party is paying on behalf of the customer. It includes a section to capture 3rd party details so that notifications can be sent to the correct person.

 

BREXIT

From 1 January 2021, following Brexit, there have been some changes to the way SEPA operates for UK businesses, as the UK is no longer a member state. Details have published on the EPC website for Bacs SEPA payment scheme users. The Direct Debit Mandate used is the same for all parties, but do be sure you check the SEPA Direct Debit Rules and include all the required information to make sure payments are processed quickly and accurately.

 

DO YOU NEED ADDITIONAL HELP?

Clear Direct Debit is a Bacs Accredited Training Provider and also offers Bacs Accredited Consultancy Services. Contact us today if you would like more information on this topic.

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