News

EMV groups unite to simplify EMV testing, certification

The effort was designed to help VARs and ISVs better understand how to integrate chip cards into the checkout solutions of small and mid-size merchants.

May 1, 2015

The Payments Security Task Force has joined with the PCI Security Standards Council and the EMV Migration Forum to launch a chip education curriculum and prequalification program to help streamline and simplify EMV testing and certification for value added resellers and independent software vendors.

According to a press release, this industry-wide effort was designed to help VARs and ISVs better understand how to integrate chip cards into the checkout solutions of small and mid-size merchants in advance of the October 2015 liability shifts scheduled by major U.S. payment networks.

The optional program consists of three central components:

• an educational curriculum that explains how to implement chip in the U.S. electronic payments marketplace;
• a list of service providers accredited by the major payment networks to provide chip consulting and expertise; and
• a prequalification process run by the accredited service providers to help VARs and ISVs begin the implementation and testing process before they work with acquirers to achieve final certification.

Major U.S. acquirers participated in the development of the program and will recognize the prequalification status. Many plan to provide fast track certification for VARs and ISVs that have demonstrated the execution of solid chip solutions, the release said.

"One of the greatest challenges in the move to chip is helping the millions of small and mid-sized merchants understand and adopt the technology," said Stephanie Ericksen, vice president of global risk products at Visa. "A streamlined process will help their payment technology suppliers better prepare and implement chip card acceptance, as the push to chip gains greater traction."

The coordinated effort will begin with the launch of educational resources for the VAR and ISV communities to establish an understanding of chip technology. Some of the subjects addressed through targeted webinars and self-service web portals include:

• the basics of chip card technology;
• how to build a business case for chip;
• an overview of a chip card transaction; and
• how to navigate the testing and certification process.

With that foundation, each VAR and ISV should have the ability to prequalify its solution for each of the major U.S. payment networks, the release said. The VAR would then work with its acquirer to receive a final certification of the solutions a merchant would need to process a chip card transaction.

Learn more about educational efforts.
Begin the prequalification process.