The graph on SEPA Direct Debits says it all:

 

The SEPA Direct Debit scheme is in trouble: less than 2.5% of direct debits in the eurozone use the SDD formats and standards. (SEPA Credit Transfers already represent 30% of credit transfers.) And not only that the usage of SDD is highly concentrated: in November 2012, Belgium was responsible for 94% of the Core DD sent through the EBA. Many countries must be processing no SDDs at all. Combine this with the problem of SDD mandates have not been finalised in several countries. The position is serious.

It is no wonder that the manager of one of the largest and most successful payment factories in Europe believes that there is 'no chance' of the SEPA Direct Debit scheme being ready and fully rolled out in the eurozone by February 2014. Privately banks are also expressing their concern about achieving the February 2014 for SEPA Direct Debits.

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Is it just a matter of time before the European Payments Council admits defeat and puts in place a new date?