Our decisions, specific directions and requirements

The PSR adopts decisions in individual cases.

‘Specific directions and requirements’ are the decisions that the PSR adopts under FSBRA which relate to individual named industry participants.

Individual specific directions and requirements may include guidance to clarify how a decision will be applied.

We decide which is the most appropriate and proportionate way to intervene – a rule or a decision – based on the specific circumstances of the matter. The procedures we follow when adopting rules and decisions are set out in our Powers and Procedures Guidance (see box). We will normally publish all specific directions and requirements.

Revocations

Specific directions

  • Specific Direction 1 expired on 4 May 2023.

  • Specific Directions 2 and 2a were revoked on 27 August 2025.

  • Specific Directions 3 and 3a were revoked on 21 May 2025.

  • Specific Directions 4 and 4a were revoked on 25 August 2025.

  • Specific Direction 5 – this requires the operator of the FPS payment system to prepare and make available the documentation required to allow conversion between existing messaging standards and ISO 20022.

  • Specific Direction 6 – this requires the operator of the Bacs payment system to prepare and make available the documentation required to allow conversion between existing messaging standards and ISO 20022.

  • Specific Direction 7 – on Bacs Payment System relating to Direct Debit Facilities Management - this requires the operator of the Bacs payment system Direct Debit scheme to ensure that commercial Facilities Management service providers that wish to do so, can use the Bacs bulk change process to help clients to switch to / from another provider; and submit, for our approval, a plan and timetable to achieve that outcome.

  • Specific Direction 8 was revoked by Specific Direction 12 on 3 March 2022.

  • Specific Direction 9 expired on 31 May 2024.

  • Specific Direction 10 was revoked by Specific Direction 11 on 30 June 2022.

  • Specific Direction 11 expired on 10 February 2023.

  • Specific Direction 12 expired on 2 January 2025.

  • Specific Direction 13 expired on 1 June 2023.

  • Specific Direction 14 – requiring providers of card-acquiring services to provide information to merchants.

  • Specific Direction 15 – requiring providers of card-acquiring services to provide prompts to merchants.

  • Specific Direction 16 – limiting the length of initial terms for point-of-sale terminal contracts.

  • Specific Direction 14/15/16a – varying Specific Directions 14, 15 and 16, relating to card-acquiring services.

  • Specific Direction 17 – on expanding Confirmation of Payee.

  • Specific Direction 18 – requiring publication of information relating to authorised push payment (APP) scams.

  • Specific Direction 19 – directing Pay.UK to create and propose to us their plans for an effective compliance monitoring regime for APP scams reimbursement.

  • Specific Direction 20 – containing the APP scams Faster Payments reimbursement requirement and directing in scope PSPs to comply with the reimbursement rules.

  • Specific Direction 21 – covers the APP scams CHAPS reimbursement requirement and directs in scope PSPs to comply with the reimbursement rules.

Specific requirements