The Commission had expressed concerns that through its work on standards for e-payments, and in particular the e-Payments Framework, the EPC could exclude new entrants not linked to a bank from the e-payments market.
During the investigation, the EPC has unveiled its decision to stop the development of the e-Payments Framework and any other standardisation initiatives that would have the same object or effect. As a result, the complainant in this case, financial services provider Sofort AG, withdrew its complaint. Under these circumstances, the Commission has decided to close its investigation.
Internet payments are vital for the development of e-commerce and the good functioning of the EU internal market. The Commission, in close cooperation with national competition authorities, will therefore monitor this market closely to ensure healthy competition and a level playing field for all operators. In addition, following the Green Paper published on 11 January 2012, the Commission is considering proposing legislation to establish objective and non-discriminatory rules for all players active in the e-payments market. These rules would be aimed at ensuring that customers can make secure payments while ensuring that new players are not prevented from entering the market.
The EPC is the decision-making and coordination body of the European banking industry in relation to payments.
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