The content of the SIC Platform Release 4.10 dated 17 November, 2023, which has been defined and approved by the governing interbank committees, was announced by means of an official circular letter (incl. Release Notes, dated 20 February, 2023 ) and published on the password-protected extranet of SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd. The Implementation Guidelines of the SIC Platform Release 4.10 consist of the "Base Document" – this document – and 21 associated module documents. In addition, for 6 of the module documents so-called "Delta Commentary" documents are provided, which contain detailed information on changes within the affected messages. Further information about changes within the module documents and the XML schemas can also be found in the overview documents, which are integrated into the enclosed ZIP files.

The content of the SIC Platform Releases 4.11 (RTGS services SIC and euroSIC) and 5.1 (SIC IP service) of 15 November 2024, which has been defined and approved by the governing financial center committees, was announced by means of an official circular letter on the password-protected extranet of SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd. on 20 February 2024 (update on 20 March 2024, errata as of 20 June 2024). The Implementation Guidelines of the SIC Platform Releases 4.11 and 5.1 consist of one "Base Document" (valid for all services and target groups), 21 module documents for participants of the RTGS services SIC and euroSIC, 14 module documents for participants of the SIC IP service, one cross-service module document "IP Transfer Payments" for participants of the SIC RTGS and SIC IP services, 6 module documents for system managers, 27 Swiss XML schema files (incl. generic XML sample messages). Information on the scope of the SIC platform releases 4.11 and 5.1 can be found in the "Release Notes". Further details on changes within the individual Implementation Guideline as well as the XML schemas can be found in the change history of each individual document as well as in the document "Overview and change log for the XML schemas". In addition, a separate "Delta Commentary" document has been created for one module document of the SIC IP service, which contains detailed information about changes within the affected message.

ISO 20022

What Is ISO 20022?

ISO 20022 is a globally accepted standard for creating messages for the financial services industry. These messages may convey various types of transactions, for example a payment instruction, or information such as an account statement between the parties involved.

Customer-Bank Messages

On behalf of the Payments Committee Switzerland (PaCoS), recommendations for a Swiss market practice (Swiss Payment Standards) for customer-bank data exchange are being formulated and published based on the ISO 20022 messages. They cover the business areas of cash management reporting and payment instruction placement.

In addition to the Swiss Interbank Clearing (SIC/euroSIC) regulations, the Swiss Payment Standards (SPS) also take into account the requirements of the European Payment Council for SEPA and for cross-border payments via the SWIFT network.

Swiss Payment Standards

The Swiss Payment Standards (SPS) are summarized in the Business Rules and Implementation Guidelines (IGs). Every November an ordinary standard release takes place. An overview of the currently valid versions and from February the versions for the next release is presented below.

The older versions are available in the archives.

Future versions

The Implementation Guidelines published as part of SPS 2024 contain, among other things, adjustments for the introduction of instant payments in the SIC system. For the most important changes, please refer to the previously published consultation reports.

The adjustments for instant payments and the associated BTC will already be applied with the introduction of instant payments planned on 20 August 2024, provided that a financial institution offers the corresponding service.

Existing customer implementations only need to be adapted if the new services are to be used.

The definitions and rules in the above guidelines must be supported by all financial institutions as of 18 November 2024, following the SIC release over the weekend.

SPS 2024 (valid as of 18 November 2024)

- 19 Mar 2024
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2024
Swiss Business Rules (Version 3.1.1)

The Business Rules for credit transfers, SEPA direct debits and Cash Management describe from a business perspective the business cases with the parties involved and the messages used (payment types) and list the most important validation rule and error handling.
Open document
- 16 Apr 2024
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2024
Delta document for the adjustments made from SPS 2023 to SPS 2024

The Delta document is divided into three parts. The first part presents the changes resulting from the introduction of instant payments in Switzerland on 20 August 2024. The second part lists all other adjustments to SPS 2024. The third part is a summary of the adjustments that were made for the sake of clarity and were not part of the consultation procedure.
Open document
- 19 Mar 2024
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2024
Implementation Guidelines for Credit Transfers (Version 2.1.1)

The definitions on credit transfers (Payment Initiation) cover the entire Swiss payment traffic and enable the submission of payment orders (including SEPA). This document serves as guidance for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Credit Transfer Initiation" (pain.001).
Open document
- 19 Mar 2024
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2024
Implementation Guidelines for Cash Management (Version 2.1.1)

The definitions for the bank-to-customer message report (Cash Management) cover the electronic account statement as well as the debit and credit notifications. This document serves as guidance for the technical implementation of the "Bank To Customer Account Report" (camt.052), "Bank To Customer Statement" (camt.053) and "Bank To Customer Debit/Credit Notification" (camt.054).
Open document
- 20 Feb 2024
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2024
Implementation Guidelines for Status Report (Version 2.1)

The XML message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002) is used to inform the customer about the status of transmitted transfer orders "pain.001" or collection orders "pain.008" by the financial institution. These documents serve as guidance for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002).
Open document

Currently valid versions

The Swiss financial institutions guarantee the following interface compatibility: that they will support the latest "Major" version of the Implementation Guidelines published by SIX Interbank Clearing plus the preceding version.

Due to the message version change with SPS 2022, a three-year parallel use was agreed for the SPS 2021 IGs until November 2025.

Change requests can be submitted via consultations@paymentstandards.ch at any time.

Change Request Form

SPS 2023 (valid since 20 November 2023)

- 20 Dec 2023
Swiss Business Rules (Version 3.0.2)

The Business Rules for credit transfers, SEPA direct debits and Cash Management describe from a business perspective the business cases with the parties involved and the messages used (payment types) and list the most important validation rule and error handling.
Open document
- 28 Feb 2023
- Entry into force date: 20 Nov 2023
Implementation Guidelines for Credit Transfers (Version 2.0.2)

The definitions on credit transfers (Payment Initiation) cover the entire Swiss payment traffic and enable the submission of payment orders (including SEPA). This document serves as guidance for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Credit Transfer Initiation" (pain.001).
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- 28 Feb 2023
- Entry into force date: 20 Nov 2023
Implementation Guidelines for Cash Management (Version 2.0.2)

The definitions for the bank-to-customer message report (Cash Management) cover the electronic account statement as well as the debit and credit notifications. This document serves as guidance for the technical implementation of the "Bank To Customer Account Report" (camt.052), "Bank To Customer Statement" (camt.053) and "Bank To Customer Debit/Credit Notification" (camt.054).
Open document
- XML schemas
- 09 Mar 2022
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2022
Implementation Guidelines for Status Report (Version 2.0.1)

The XML message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002) is used to inform the customer about the status of transmitted transfer orders "pain.001" or collection orders "pain.008" by the financial institution. These documents serve as guidance for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002).
Open document
- Delta Guide: Status Report SPS 2022
  Detailed description of the changes implemented to the XML Schema and the pain.002 message, migrating from the previous version (SPS 2021) to SPS 2022 using the ISO 20022 Schema 2019.
- XML schema and examples
- 06 Apr 2018
- Entry into force date: 01 Nov 2018
Implementation Guidelines for Swiss direct debits SPS 2018 (Version 1.2)

The definitions for Swiss direct debits cover the banks schemes (LSV+/BDD) and the PostFinance scheme (CH-DD direct debit) and enable the collection of direct debits using the ISO 20022 standard:
● version 1 for the CH-DD direct debit scheme and
● version 2 for the LSV+/BDD schemes
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- 26 Feb 2020
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Implementation Guidelines for SEPA direct debits SPS 2021 (Version 2.7)

The EPC specifications form the basis of the Swiss SEPA direct debit guidelines. These documents serve as instructions for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message «Customer Direct Debit Initiation» (pain.008) for SEPA direct debits. The use of the respective version must be agreed upon with the financial institution.
Open document
- XML schema and examples

SPS 2022 (valid since 18 November 2022)

- 25 Mar 2022
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2022
Swiss Business Rules (Version 3.0)

The Business Rules for credit transfers, SEPA direct debits and Cash Management describe from a business perspective the business cases with the parties involved and the messages used (payment types) and list the most important validation rule and error handling.
Open document
- 09 Mar 2022
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2022
Implementation Guidelines for Credit Transfers (Version 2.0.1)

The definitions on credit transfers (Payment Initiation) cover the entire Swiss payment traffic and enable the submission of payment orders (including SEPA). This document serves as guidance for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Credit Transfer Initiation" (pain.001).
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- Delta Guide: Credit Transfer SPS 2022
  Element-level change assessment between SPS 2021 and SPS 2022
- 09 Mar 2022
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2022
Implementation Guidelines for Cash Management (Version 2.0.1)

The definitions for the bank-to-customer message report (Cash Management) cover the electronic account statement as well as the debit and credit notifications. This document serves as guidance for the technical implementation of the "Bank To Customer Account Report" (camt.052), "Bank To Customer Statement" (camt.053) and "Bank To Customer Debit/Credit Notification" (camt.054).
Open document
- XML schemas
- Delta Guide: Cash Management SPS 2022
  Detailed description of the changes implemented to the XML Schema and the camt.053 message, migrating from the previous version (SPS 2021) to SPS 2022 using the ISO 20022 Schema 2019.
- 09 Mar 2022
- Entry into force date: 18 Nov 2022
Implementation Guidelines for Status Report (Version 2.0.1)

The XML message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002) is used to inform the customer about the status of transmitted transfer orders "pain.001" or collection orders "pain.008" by the financial institution. These documents serve as guidance for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002).
Open document
- Delta Guide: Status Report SPS 2022
  Detailed description of the changes implemented to the XML Schema and the pain.002 message, migrating from the previous version (SPS 2021) to SPS 2022 using the ISO 20022 Schema 2019.
- XML schema and examples
- 06 Apr 2018
- Entry into force date: 01 Nov 2018
Implementation Guidelines for Swiss direct debits SPS 2018 (Version 1.2)

The definitions for Swiss direct debits cover the banks schemes (LSV+/BDD) and the PostFinance scheme (CH-DD direct debit) and enable the collection of direct debits using the ISO 20022 standard:
● version 1 for the CH-DD direct debit scheme and
● version 2 for the LSV+/BDD schemes
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- 26 Feb 2020
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Implementation Guidelines for SEPA direct debits SPS 2021 (Version 2.7)

The EPC specifications form the basis of the Swiss SEPA direct debit guidelines. These documents serve as instructions for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message «Customer Direct Debit Initiation» (pain.008) for SEPA direct debits. The use of the respective version must be agreed upon with the financial institution.
Open document
- XML schema and examples

SPS 2021 – Parallel Phase (valid until November 2025)

- 26 Feb 2021
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Swiss Business Rules SPS 2021 (Version 2.10)

The Business Rules for Credit transfers, SEPA Direct debits and Cash Management describe from a business perspective the business cases with the parties involved and the messages used (payment types), shows the message structures with details of the individual structural elements and lists the most important validation rule and error handling.
Open document
- 26 Feb 2021
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Implementation Guidelines for Credit Transfers SPS 2021 (Version 1.11)

The specifications to the credit transfer (Payment Initiation) cover the entire Swiss payment traffic and enable the submission of payment orders (inclusive SEPA). This document contains instructions for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 “Customer Credit Transfer Initiation” message (pain.001).
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- Modifications (delta to Version 1.11)
  This document describes the adjustments to the definitions on credit transfers (payment initiation) for the parallel phase 01.10.2022 to November 2025 due to discontinuation of ISR/IS.
- 26 Feb 2021
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Implementation Guidelines for Cash Management SPS 2021 (Version 1.7.2)

The specifications to the bank-to-customer message report (cash management) cover the electronic account statements, the debit authorizations and credit advices. They are based on the ISO and the corresponding EPC and SWIFT recommendations. This document contains instructions for the technical implementation of the "Bank To Customer Account Report" (camt.052), "Bank To Customer Statement" (camt.053) and "Bank To Customer Debit/Credit Notification" (camt.054).
Open document
- 06 Apr 2018
- Entry into force date: 01 Nov 2018
Implementation Guidelines for Swiss direct debits SPS 2018 (Version 1.2)

The definitions for Swiss direct debits cover the banks schemes (LSV+/BDD) and the PostFinance scheme (CH-DD direct debit) and enable the collection of direct debits using the ISO 20022 standard:
● version 1 for the CH-DD direct debit scheme and
● version 2 for the LSV+/BDD schemes
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- 26 Feb 2021
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Implementation Guidelines for Status Report SPS 2021 (Version 1.1.2)

The XML message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002) is used by the financial institution to inform customers about the status of "pain.001" transfer orders or "pain.008" collection orders that have been sent. These documents serve as instructions for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message "Customer Payment Status Report" (pain.002).
Open document
- XML schema and examples
- 26 Feb 2020
- Entry into force date: 19 Nov 2021
Implementation Guidelines for SEPA direct debits SPS 2021 (Version 2.7)

The EPC specifications form the basis of the Swiss SEPA direct debit guidelines. These documents serve as instructions for the technical implementation of the ISO 20022 message «Customer Direct Debit Initiation» (pain.008) for SEPA direct debits. The use of the respective version must be agreed upon with the financial institution.
Open document
- XML schema and examples

List of BTC codes used in Switzerland

- 20 Feb 2024
List of BTC codes used in Switzerland (download)

The booking type is defined in the "Bank Transaction Code" element (mandatory C level field). This is an externally defined code list. The use of Bank Transaction Codes is mandatory according to the code list defined by ISO 20022.
Open document

Timetable

Timetable SPS Releases

The schedule for further development of the SPS is generally as follows; there may be some deviations.

June	Submission of amendments
	Deadline for submission of change requests for the next SPS release (to be published in February of next year).
November	Publication of planned amendments
	The amendments planned up to this point will be published and any feedback will be sought.
December	End time for feedback on planned amendments
	Expiry of time period for feedback on planned amendments.
February	Publication of the annual SPS release
	The updated version of the documents will be published as annual release SPS SR20nn.
April	Update of the SIX Validation Portal
	The SPS annual release definitions published in February can be tested on the SIX validation portal.
November	Implementation by banks
	The SPS annual release definitions published in February are supported by the banks as of the SIC release date.

Consultations

Consultation Start SPS 2025 Consultation Start SPS 2025

Planned November 2024

Consultation Deadline SPS 2025 Consultation Deadline SPS 2025

Planned November 2024

- 15 Dec 2023
Report on the Results from Part I of the Consultation Process 2023 on SPS 2024
- 15 Jan 2024
Report on the Results from Part II of the Consultation Process 2023 for SPS 2024

Completed consultations can be found in the archive.

Archive | Download Center

Validation Portal Customer-Bank Messages

The validation portal serves to promote the uniform application of the ISO 20022 standard for payments in the Swiss financial center. It supports software providers/corporates and financial institutions in their effort to ensure a high quality of the technical validation of ISO 20022 messages.

Access to the Validation Portal

Interbank Messages

The "Implementation Guidelines for ISO 20022 Interbank Messages", which contain the rules mutually agreed upon by Swiss interbank governance bodies and committees, are binding for all SIC and euroSIC participants.

These Implementation Guidelines are an integral part of the SIC/euroSIC Handbook and therefore also part of the specification for participation in these services. Further information on formal, operational and technical aspects of participation in the RTGS services SIC and euroSIC or the SIC IP service are available on the password-protected extranet of SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd.

Implementation Guidelines

A modular approach is used for the structure of the Implementation Guidelines. They consist of a base document with general information concerning all message types, and several module documents with message-specific information, including information on the application-specific handling of individual elements. These specify how the messages are to be submitted to and received from the RTGS services SIC and euroSIC or the SIC-IP service using the ISO 20022 message standard.

The older versions are available in the archives.

Future valid version

The content of the SIC Platform Releases 4.11 (RTGS services SIC and euroSIC) and 5.1 (SIC IP service) of 15 November 2024, which has been defined and approved by the governing financial center committees, was announced by means of an official circular letter on the password-protected extranet of SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd. on 20 February 2024 (update on 20 March 2024, errata as of 20 June 2024).

SIC Platform Releases 4.11 and 5.1, valid as of 15 November 2024 (incl. errata as of 20 June 2024)

Implementation Guidelines and Release Notes – SIC Platform Releases 4.11 and 5.1

The Implementation Guidelines of the SIC Platform Releases 4.11 and 5.1 consist of

one "Base Document" (valid for all services and target groups),
21 module documents for participants of the RTGS services SIC and euroSIC,
14 module documents for participants of the SIC IP service,
one cross-service module document "IP Transfer Payments" for participants of the SIC RTGS and SIC IP services,
6 module documents for system managers,
27 Swiss XML schema files (incl. generic XML sample messages).

Information on the scope of the SIC platform releases 4.11 and 5.1 can be found in the "Release Notes". Further details on changes within the individual Implementation Guideline as well as the XML schemas can be found in the change history of each individual document as well as in the document "Overview and change log for the XML schemas". In addition, a separate "Delta Commentary" document has been created for one module document of the SIC IP service, which contains detailed information about changes within the affected message.

- 20 Jun 2024
- Entry into force date: 15 Nov 2024
Open Base Document

Currently valid version

The content of the SIC Platform Release 4.10 dated 17 November 2023, which has been defined and approved by the governing interbank committees, was announced by means of an official circular letter (incl. Release Notes, dated 20 February 2023, errata as of 22 May 2023) and published on the password-protected extranet of SIX Interbank Clearing Ltd.

SIC Platform Release 4.10 (valid as of 17 November 2023, incl. errata as of 22 May 2023)

Implementation Guidelines – SIC Platform Release 4.10

The Implementation Guidelines of the SIC Platform Release 4.10 consist of the "Base Document" and 21 associated module documents. In addition, for 6 of the module documents so-called "Delta Commentary" documents are provided, which contain detailed information on changes within the affected messages. Further information about changes within the module documents and the XML schemas can also be found in the overview documents, which are integrated into the enclosed ZIP files.

- 28 Feb 2023
- Entry into force date: 17 Nov 2023
Open Base Document

Validation Portal Interbank Messages

The validation portal interbank messages helps to promote the uniform application of the ISO 20022 standard for SIC and euroSIC payments. It allows financial institutions to ensure a high quality of the technical validation of ISO 20022 interbank messages.

Access to the Validation Portal