The Direct Debit Scheme Rules have been updated
Bacs, part of Pay.UK, have released a new copy of the Direct Debit Scheme Rules. If you are an organisation collecting Direct Debits, you should ensure you have the correct version.
Version 5.9 – Dated June 2026
“The Service User’s Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme” contains all the rules and best practice advice for organisations collecting Direct Debits. The aim of the document is to standardise the Direct Debit Scheme for all participating organisations. It is typically updated, once a year.
This week, Bacs have released version 5.9 – dated June 2026. It contains 164 pages of information about the obligations placed upon Service Users who operate a Direct Debit Scheme.
Access version 5.9 from the Bacs Information Hub
The Service User’s Guide and Rules to the Direct Debit Scheme is available from the Bacs Information Hub. Via this website, individuals can log-in (using a username and password) and then access and download useful documents. As well as the Service Users Guide and Rules, individuals can also access documents such as “The Service user guide – Bacstel-IP” & “Getting Started Guide – Bacstel-IP for Direct Submitters”.
The information can also be obtained from the Bacs microsite. This gives visitors the ability to navigate to the relevant sections of the document. They can also download a PDF copy.
Latest updates to the Direct Debit Scheme Rules
Each time a new version of the rules is released, the document contains a useful table on page 2 to show what has changed versus the previous issue. This time, the changes are summarised below:
- From 1 July 2027 no new non-AUDDIS Service User Numbers will be created
- Users are advised to refer to Bacs.co.uk for a list of Indemnity forms
- Introduction of reference to Web Chat with a human operator, for Paperless Direct Debit sign up
- PCI DSS compliance change from March 2025 whereby the full 16 digit PAN reference can no longer be used
- Introduction of chatbot/live chat facility as part of the confirmation process for Paperless Direct Debit
- Advice that the FCA Website can be used to verify a trading name
- Advice that SSL server security must be present and must be a minimum of SHA-256 SSL supporting TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3
Look out for our upcoming blogs on more detail on these scheme rule changes and what they might mean for your organisation.
Complying with the Direct Debit Scheme Rules
Our one-day, Direct Debit training courses cover all the scheme rules and best practice approaches that a Service User needs to know. Our courses are accredited by Bacs and can be run over one or two days, depending on needs. You can see more details about our courses on our training page.
Questions?
Our team of experts are here to help. If you would like to discuss the Direct Debit Scheme Rules, please contact us.