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prepared by the European Commission, published in the EBA Q&A tool · not legislation · published 7 Jun 2019 [Final Q&A]","attribution":{"prepared_by":"European Commission","published_by":"EBA","published_in":"EBA Single Rulebook Q&A tool","document_type":"qa_answer","legal_nature":"not_legislation","addressees":"not stated in the document","dates":{"published_on":"2019-06-07","question_submitted_on":"2019-04-10","locators":{"published_on":"EBA Q&A register entry 2019_4664, field 'Final publishing date'","question_submitted_on":"EBA Q&A register entry 2019_4664, field 'Submission date'"}},"adoption":null}},"provenance":{"official_url":"https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2019_4664","check":{"result":"matched","checked_at":"2026-10-26","against":"the EBA publication"},"repo_path":"spaces/psd2/level-3/q-and-a/eba/eba-qa-2019-4664-applicability-of-sca-to-electronically-processed-sepa.md","body_sha256":"a9899aef00478e19d9fe625508211847f4c78e2b22717b92c1121c4ced2adde0"},"units":[],"markdown":"---\ntitle: \"EBA Q&A 2019_4664 — Q&A — Applicability of SCA to electronically processed SEPA [Final Q&A]\"\nshortTitle: \"EBA Q&A 2019_4664 — Q&A — Applicability of SCA to electronically processed SEPA [Final Q&A]\"\nanswer_id: EBA_QA_2019_4664\nstatus: \"Final Q&A\"\ntype: qa\ninstrument_type: qa\nauthority: EBA\nbinding: false\nbinding_character: non_binding\nlegal_status: in_force\nregulation: \"PSD2\"\npsd2_level3: true\nmica_level2: false\nlegal_basis: \"Article 97(1) PSD2\"\ndate: 7 June 2019\nsource_link: https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2019_4664\nlifecycle: \"Final Q&A\"\ntext_version: \"EBA Q&A register, 7 June 2019\"\nsource_url: \"https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2019_4664\"\ncheck_status: matched\nverified: true\nlast_checked: 2026-10-26\nchecked_against: \"the EBA publication\"\nsource:\n  prepared_by: \"European Commission\"\n  published_by: \"EBA\"\n  published_in: \"EBA Single Rulebook Q&A tool\"\n  evidence:\n    prepared_by: \"Answer prepared by the European Commission because it is a matter of interpretation of Union law.\"\n    locator: \"EBA Q&A register entry 2019_4664, field 'Answer prepared by'\"\ndocument_type: \"qa_answer\"\nlegal_nature: \"not_legislation\"\naddressees: \"not stated in the document\"\ndates:\n  published_on: \"2019-06-07\"\n  question_submitted_on: \"2019-04-10\"\n  locators:\n    published_on: \"EBA Q&A register entry 2019_4664, field 'Final publishing date'\"\n    question_submitted_on: \"EBA Q&A register entry 2019_4664, field 'Submission date'\"\nlifecycle_label: \"Final Q&A\"\n---\n\n**Answer prepared by the European Commission, published in the EBA Q&A tool · not legislation · published 7 Jun 2019 [Final Q&A]**\n\n*Final Q&A · EBA Q&A register, 7 June 2019 · Checked against the EBA publication on 26 Oct 2026 · [Official source](https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2019_4664)*\n\n| | |\n|---|---|\n| **Full title** | EBA Q&A 2019_4664 — Q&A — Applicability of SCA to electronically processed SEPA \\[Final Q&A\\] |\n| **Prepared by** | European Commission |\n| **Published by** | EBA, in the EBA Single Rulebook Q&A tool |\n| **Reference** | EBA_QA_2019_4664 |\n| **Document type** | Q&A |\n| **Legal nature** | Not legislation |\n| **Addressees** | Not stated in the document |\n| **Dates** | Published 7 June 2019; question submitted 10 April 2019 |\n| **Legal basis** | Article 97(1) PSD2 |\n| **Related instruments** | None recorded |\n| **Text on this page** | Word for word — the full text of the EBA publication |\n\n**Applicability of SCA to electronically processed SEPA Direct Debits / Interpretation of EBA Q&A 2018\\_4359**\n\n### Question\n\nAre mandates for direct debits which are set up without direct involvement of the payer’s PSP subject to SCA requirements?\n\n### Background\n\nWith Q&A 2018\\_4359 it has been clarified, that a direct debit transaction is not subject to SCA, as it is defined in the PSD2 as a transaction initiated by the payee.\n\nFurthermore, it was stated, that in cases where the mandate given by the payer to the payee to initiate one or several such transactions is provided through a remote channel, the setting up of such a mandate is subject to strong customer authentication, as this action may imply a risk of payment fraud or other abuses within the meaning of Article 97(1)(c) PSD2.\n\nThe latter statement might lead to a misinterpretation in the market regarding its scope and needs to be clarified further. This statement can only be applicable, when the payer’s PSP is directly involved in the setting up of such a mandate, which is only the case for “e-mandates” as laid down in the SEPA rulebooks.\n\nOtherwise, Article 97 PSD2 is not applicable at all.\n\n***\n\n### Answer\n\nQ&A 2018\\_4359 clarified that a direct debit transaction is not subject to strong customer authentication (SCA), as it is defined in the PSD2 as a transaction initiated by the payee. It also clarified that in cases where the mandate given by the payer to the payee to initiate one or several such transactions is provided through a remote channel, the setting up of such a mandate is subject to strong customer authentication. In such circumstances however, pursuant to the wording of Article 97 PDS2, which only sets obligations to payment service providers (PSP), SCA is only necessary where a PSP is involved in the setting up of such a mandate. Mandates given by the payer to the payee set up without the direct involvement of the payer’s PSP are not subject to SCA.\n\nDisclaimer:\n\nThis question goes beyond matters of consistent and effective application of the regulatory framework. A Directorate General of the Commission (Directorate General for Financial Stability, Financial services and Capital Markets Union) has prepared the answer, albeit that only the Court of Justice of the European Union can provide definitive interpretations of EU legislation. This is an unofficial opinion of that Directorate General, which the European Banking Authority publishes on its behalf. The answers are not binding on the European Commission as an institution. You should be aware that the European Commission could adopt a position different from the one expressed in such Q&As, for instance in infringement proceedings or after a detailed examination of a specific case or on the basis of any new legal or factual elements that may have been brought to its attention.\n\n***\n\n**Source:** [EBA original document](https://www.eba.europa.eu/single-rule-book-qa/qna/view/publicId/2019_4664)\n\n## Related Level 1 articles\n\n- [Article 97 — Authentication](../../../articles/97.md)\n"}