The European Payments Council (EPC) is undertaking a standardisation process for payments over the internet ('e-payments'). The Commission decided to open an antitrust investigation with regard to this standardisation process to ensure that competition is not unduly restricted, for example through the exclusion of new entrants and payment providers who are not controlled by a bank.

The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into the standardisation process for payments over the internet ('e-payments') undertaken by the European Payments Council (EPC). It is aimed to ensure that competition is not unduly restricted, for example through the exclusion of new entrants and payment providers who are not controlled by a bank. However, the Commission also stressed that the opening of proceedings does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

The EPC is the coordination and decision-making body of the European banking industry for payments. It supports and promotes the creation of an integrated payments market through its self regulatory project the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which was set up in 2008. The European Commission endorses the SEPA project as it is crucial for consumers, retailers and companies to enjoy the full benefits of the Single Market and in principle welcomes the development of standards for e-payments.

The Commission recognises the importance of standardisation in terms of promoting economic integration, which results in greater efficiencies and better prices and services for the consumer. Article 101 of the TFEU prohibits anticompetitive agreements and decisions of associations of undertakings. The implementation of this provision is defined in the EU's Antitrust Regulation, which can also be applied by national competition authorities. The EU Guidelines on horizontal agreements adopted in 2010 set out clearly the kinds of agreements that do not raise competition concerns and the way that the Commission analyses standardisation agreements and procedures under EU competition rules.