Press Release: Antitrust: Commission opens investigation in e-payment market

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). The EPC is the coordination and decision-making body of the European banking industry for payments. The Commission will undertake a careful examination of the 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.

Excluding competitors in the online payments market could result in higher prices for web merchants and ultimately consumers. The opening of proceedings does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. It means the Commission treats the case as a matter of priority and will gather the necessary information to take a final position.