The SEPA is a European initiative and a method for making cashless payments in euro. This means that you will no longer need the account number and sort code when transferring money, but instead an IBAN number. The IBAN number is an international banking account number and consists of a country code, a check digit, the sort code and the account number. When transferring money internationally you will also need a BIC number, which is an international standardised banking code comparable with the sort code and will be required for transfers until 01.02.2016.
The IBAN and BIC numbers can for example be found in your bank account statement. You can make a transfer as usual. You can for example find the account identification codes of your contractual partner on their invoice. With direct debit you will find the information through the direct debit submitter. Here you must check and confirm the IBAN and BIC numbers.
The SEPA agreement is per 01.02.2014 valid in the 28 EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Monaco and Switzerland.