meta_id 3107065

On April 28, 2026, the European Payments Council (EPC) published guidelines to support the optional exchange of data sets under the Verification Of Payee (VOP) scheme. The guidelines are designed to facilitate rapid, transparent, and structured handling of issues between VOP scheme participants through an inquiry process framework. The guidelines introduce two key templates to standardise interactions between participants: a structured inquiry request template to facilitate information exchange between VOP scheme participants, and a refund request template. These tools aim to streamline communication and resolution processes within the VOP scheme ecosystem. The guidelines and templates are provided for informational and guidance purposes only and do not constitute mandatory requirements for VOP scheme participants. Participation in this optional process is voluntary, and VOP scheme participants may elect to begin using these templates and guidelines from May 1, 2026, at their discretion. The EPC has made the guidelines and templates available for download on its website, allowing participants to assess their applicability to their operations and implement them according to their individual circumstances and requirements. **Reference:** European Payments Council. Guidelines to support an optional exchange of data sets under the Verification Of Payee (VOP) scheme. April 28, 2026. Available at: https://www.europeanpaymentscouncil.eu/