As Europe moves into a new phase of real-time financial services under the Instant Payments Regulation, the EPC Directory Services (EDS) is turning out to be an important component for secure, interoperable service like Verification of Payee (VoP).
Payment Service Providers (PSPs) looking to implement Verification of Payee before 5 October 2025 must understand the importance of EDS directory and options for onboarding guide —not just for compliance, but for competitive advantage.
This article explains what EDS Directory is, why EDS directory is important, choices available for onboarding to EDS directory and key points to assist PSPs in decision making for EDS Directory onboarding.
What Is the EDS Directory and Why Is It Important?
The EDS Directory is a centralised platform that contains all the essential information needed to identify VoP scheme participants, their roles and supported options, and to retrieve their secure API endpoints (URIs). It ensures that any PSP participating in the scheme can communicate with others in a trusted, standardised, and secure way.
The EDS is accessible in two ways:
- Web Graphical User Interface (GUI) for human interaction
- Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for automated integration
In simple terms, the EDS acts as a dynamic address book and trust framework for VoP. Directory information can be used for real-time authorisation ensuring secure data exchange between PSPs, which is of utmost importance when it comes to data sharing between Financial Institutions in the VoP ecosystem.
In short, the EDS is a critical component in the future of European instant payments together.
What are the onboarding options for EDS Directory?
The EPC EDS onboarding guide introduces two main onboarding models for PSPs. The choice between these options has important implications for control, flexibility, and operational complexity.
Option A: Standard Onboarding
Option A is the direct model, where a PSP registers directly with the EDS. This route is recommended for PSPs who:
- Do not plan to use an RVM (Routing and Verification Mechanism) or may want to use more than one RVM.
- Intend to use the EDS Consumer and Provisioning API for real-time interaction with the directory.
- Plan to act as an RVM themselves—such as a parent company of an EPC Grouping.
- Want to integrate EDS with their existing SWIFT user management processes, including use of SWIFT administrator roles.
In essence, Option A is for PSPs who want to retain full control over their onboarding, configuration, and updates in the EDS. It gives PSPs the flexibility but requires a deeper understanding of EPC VoP processes and information required for interoperability.
Option A is most suitable for larger PSPs or parent entities of a large group of entities as they would normally have internal expertise to manage and update EDS directory. These companies are also generally PSPs who have completed VoP build internally and are comfortable with the workings of VoP.
Option B: Onboarding via a Single RVM (Delegated Model)
Option B is a simple and easy to implement alternative where the PSP relies entirely on an RVM to handle EDS onboarding and updates. This option is recommended for PSPs that:
- Plan to use only one RVM for their operations.
- Are looking to minimise internal technical work and governance burden.
- Do not intend to directly use the EDS APIs.
- Have no plans to act as an RVM themselves.
In practice, Option B hands over most of the operational responsibility to a trusted third party, making it ideal for PSPs that want a plug-and-play approach. This is often attractive to smaller PSPs, new entrants, or those with limited in-house development capacity.
At TechnoXander, we bring proven expertise in managing payment directories at scale. In the UK, we are active participants in the Pay.UK Confirmation of Payee (CoP) directories and directly manage directory-related operations as part of the CoP directory service.
Our role as both a directory participant and an aggregator give us deep insight into the operational, technical, and compliance demands of name-checking systems. This experience directly translates to our readiness for the EPC’s EDS directory—particularly in supporting PSPs with onboarding, provisioning, and ongoing management.
Our knowledge of the VoP framework and our hands-on role in CoP make us a trusted partner for PSPs looking to adopt a resilient, standards-compliant EDS onboarding strategy.
Why This Decision Matters
Choosing between Option A and Option B isn’t just about ticking a compliance box—it’s a strategic decision. It determines:
- How quickly you can respond to market or regulatory changes
- In-house expertise in Verification of Payee systems
- The degree of governance required for managing EDS directory
- Whether you are positioned as a leader or follower in VoP interoperability
A key takeaway: Option A maximises control and scalability, while Option B maximises simplicity and speed to market.
What the EPC Guide Expects from PSPs
Regardless of the onboarding model, all PSPs must meet certain operational standards:
- 24/7 availability of endpoints
- Secure certificate lifecycle management
- Timely updates to EDS records and endpoints
- Monitoring and responsiveness to incidents or errors
This is especially important in a real-time payments environment where trust, uptime, and user experience are inseparable.
If you choose Option B, ensure your RVM meets these expectations. If you choose Option A, ensure your internal systems and teams are ready for it.
Conclusion: Make EDS Onboarding a Strategic Move
The EDS Directory is much more than a technical registry. It is the operational core of a trusted, real-time financial ecosystem across Europe. PSPs now face a critical choice: take a reactive, compliance-only approach—or embrace EDS onboarding as a strategic opportunity.
By selecting the onboarding path that aligns with your long-term goals—whether through direct participation or via an RVM—you can balance control, cost, speed, and scale.
The future of payments is instant. The future of trust is interoperable. And the EDS is where it all begins.
Ready to simplify your EDS onboarding?
Whether you are exploring Option A or Option B, TechnoXander can help you get there faster—with the confidence of a team that has already delivered in the UK’s CoP ecosystem.
👉 Book a demo today to see how we can support your VoP journey across the EDS Directory.
