Traffic light forms

Authorizations for SEPA Direct Debits

An accessible and commonly used way to obtain customer authorization for one-time or recurring regular direct debits is with recognizable Traffic light forms on paper.

Traffic light forms are standardized forms that use color to clearly indicate the type of form:

• The green form is for the actual authorization, for one-time or recurring direct debits. The collector can fill in as much of it as possible for the customer in advance. The customer must fill in any missing information, sign it with a pen, and hand in the completed and signed form or send it by mail to the collector.
• The yellow form explains how the customer can unconditionally reverse an incorrect direct debit, up to 56 days after the debit.
• The red form can be completed, signed, and sent by the customer to the collector to permanently revoke a previously issued direct debit authorization. The collector can also fill in as much of this form as possible for the customer in advance. This promotes mutual trust between the collector and the customer.

Traffic light form for a one-time direct debit.

Advantages of traffic light forms

The standard traffic light forms are easy to use, recognizable, and comply with all European requirements. They are available to collectors as blank digital fill-in and print files. After filling in as much as possible digitally in advance, a collector can print the file on paper and provide it to a customer.

Digital Mandate Service

Digital Mandate Service (DIM) makes the authorization process faster, safer, and more reliable for both the collector and the customer. With DIM, a collector is guaranteed to receive the correct customer details, such as the correct name and IBAN. With DIM, a collector can collect and archive customer authorizations entirely digitally.

The customer provides this digital authorization securely and confidentially via internet banking or mobile banking, similar to iDEAL.