Rules & documentation

By-laws, rules, standards and procedure documents are integral parts of the legal framework of the national payment systems that Payments Canada is legislated to establish and operate. They lay out the roles, responsibilities and obligations of our member financial institutions on the appropriate handling of payment items exchanged, cleared and settled via our payment systems. This includes requirements for participation in a payment system or scheme, procedures for the processing of payment items, and the requirements and timeframes for returning payment items, where eligible.

Payments Canada’s rules, standards and procedure documents are updated regularly and versions posted online are in force. You can contact Payments Canada for confirmation by e-mail at info@payments.ca.

Item Title Updated System
Quick links - ACSS
Automated clearing settlement system rules, standards and by-laws
Retail batch payment system
Rule K1
Bulk Exchange and Settlement of U.S. Dollar Items​
Retail batch payment system
Rule D2
Clearing Agent Requirements
Retail batch payment system
Standard 015
Companion Document to the ANSI X9.100-187-2008, "Specifications for Electronic Exchange of Check and Image Data - Domestic"
Retail batch payment system
Rule H3
Correction of Electronic Bill Payment Errors
Retail batch payment system
Rule D1
Direct Clearer / Group Clearer Requirements ​​
Retail batch payment system
Rule F8
Direct Payment Routing Numbers
Retail batch payment system
Rule A3
Endorsement and Identification of Paper Items
Retail batch payment system
Rule E2
Exchange for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement of Electronic On-line Payment Items
Retail batch payment system
Rule E4
Exchange of PIN-less Point-of-Service Debit Payment Items for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement
Retail batch payment system
Rule E5
Exchange of Point-of-Service Delayed Authorization Debit Payment Items for the Purpose of Clearing and Settlement
Retail batch payment system
Rule F7
Financial Institutions File (FIF)
Retail batch payment system