EU member states want to make it easier for consumers to pay in shops, and to make e-commerce transactions widely available, convenient and safe across the EU.
The
Council today adopted conclusions that respond to the retail payments
strategy for the EU presented by the Commission in September 2020.
Against the background of rapid innovation and digitalisation of the
economy, the conclusions welcome the comprehensive strategy set out by
the Commission for the further development of the retail payments market
in the EU.
The
Council lends its full support to the overall aims of the strategy,
such as ensuring a competitive and innovative retail payments market in
the EU, promoting the uptake of instant payments, and creating the
conditions for the development of EU-wide payment solutions to decrease
the EU’s dependency on major global players in this area.
The
Council also highlights the many challenges to be taken into account
when further developing and regulating the market, such as financial
inclusion, security and consumer protection, data protection and
anti‑money laundering aspects.
The
conclusions set out the Council’s detailed priorities under the four
‘pillars’ for strategic action outlined by the Commission:
- addressing issues related to increasingly digital and instant payment solutions
- innovation and competitiveness issues
- ensuring access to and interoperability of retail payment systems and other support infrastructures
- improving payments with countries outside the EU
The
Council gives the Commission a strong political mandate for pushing
forward initiatives across these fields and for presenting legislative
proposals, where appropriate, after a due impact assessment. This
includes a comprehensive review of the payments services directive to
take account of the developments in the market and the challenges
encountered in its implementation.
Council conclusions on the Commission communication on a 'Retail Payments Strategy for the European Union'
Commission communication on a 'Retail Payments Strategy for the EU'
© Council of the European Union
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