SEPA Cards Framework - is it progressing ?

The EPC Q&A document unfortunately did not say very much or advance the position of the SEPA Cards Framework in real terms.

The situation on the ground for consumers is that because of the failure to agree interoperable technical standards and card ranges cardholders will continue to  find situations where they will try to use co-branded Maestro/Electron card abroad at an ATM (with Maestro and Electron acceptance logos) only to get a message "invalid card".

The EPC statement on standards in the Q&A document read as follows:

"The standards work is ongoing. At this stage, the EPC is unable to advise either on which standards will change, which ones will remain, what will be new or on the implementation timelines. The EPC will, of course, keep all stakeholders informed and involved with progress"

Not very encouraging ??