The SEPA standards were introduced gradually. First in cross-border payment transactions and, following the intervention of the European Commission, which decided by Regulation 260/2012 to make the introduction of SEPA standards mandatory, also in domestic systems. For the Czech Republic, it has been in force since 1 November 2016.

It is used by both businesses and consumers. Formats have been created for SEPA Credit Transfer (SEPA Credit Transfer, SCT), SEPA Direct Debit (SEPA Direct Debit, SDD), which have different conditions for businesses and consumers, and the latest format, which has made the payment process even faster, is designed for Simultaneous Payments (SCT Instant payment).

If a bank decides to carry out SEPA transactions, it must agree to the binding SEPA rules.