ePC cards

An electronic purchasing card (ePC) offers a quick and efficient means of payment for appropriate goods and services. It's largely used, as long as the supplier accepts Mastercard as a payment method, for either:

• low-value, one-off purchases
• purchases that are defined as annual expenditure, i.e. not on a contract

ePC cardholders must ensure that any goods or services that are being purchased provide best value for money for public funds. When buying using an ePC, you must obtain:

• one quote from a supplier, either by telephone or in writing, before you buy, for purchases up to the value of £1,000
• three written quotes from different suppliers for any purchase over £1,000

For spending limits and other rules about using an ePC in the Scottish Government, you can check on Saltire.