Payments Industry Moves to Speed Chip Card Acceptance
UL contributes to development of educational and pre-qualification process for resellers and software vendors
Fremont, CA, United States, 6thof May, 2015: ULplayed an integral role in creating the U.S. EMV VAR Qualification Program. The program combines a chip education component and an accreditation program to streamline and simplify the testing and certification process for Value Added Resellers (VARs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs).
Through a coordinated, industry-wide effort with Payments Security Task Force, PCI Security Standards Council and the EMV Migration Forum, VARs and ISVs will be better equipped to integrate chip cards into small and mid-sized merchants’ point-of-sales solutions in advance of the October 2015 liability shifts scheduled to go into effect by major U.S. payment networks.
Sherif Samy, Commercial Director North America at UL’s Transaction Security division, stated: “As an industry leader for chip card testing and certification, we are very happy to have contributed to the development of the educational and pre-qualification processes for resellers and software vendors. We believe that streamlining such programs will assist greatly with the adaptation of acceptance of chip cards in the U.S. With the EMV liability shift date being just six months away, we see the need for a simplified testing and certification process rising.”
The optional U.S. EMV VAR Qualification Program consists of these key components:
· An educational curriculum that provides a clear explanation of how to implement chip in the U.S. electronic payments marketplace
· A list of service providers independently accredited by the major payment networks to provide chip consulting and expertise
· A pre-qualification 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
UL participated in the development of the program and recognizes the pre-qualification status, providing fast track certification for VARs and ISVs that have demonstrated the execution of solid chip solutions.
To learn more about the educational efforts, visit http://www.emv-connection.com/chip-education-for-vars-isvs-and-merchants/
To begin the pre-qualification process, visit https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/approved_companies_providers/var_qualifications_program.php
For more information about UL’s transaction security division, please see ul-ts.com.
About UL’s Transaction Security division
UL’s Transaction Security division guides companies within the mobile, payments and transit domains through the complex world of electronic transactions. UL is the global leader in safeguarding security, compliance and global interoperability. Offering advice, test and certification services, security evaluations and test tools, during the full life cycle of your product development process or the implementation of new technologies. UL’s people pro-actively collaborate with industry players to define robust standards and policies. Bringing global expertise to your local needs. UL has accreditations from industry bodies including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, JCB, American Express, EMVCo, Union Pay International, PCI, GCF, GlobalPlatform, NFC Forum and many others. For more information, go to UL-TS.com
About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company that has championed progress for 120 years. Its more than 10,000 professionals are guided by the UL mission to promote safe working and living environments for all people. UL uses research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving safety needs. We partner with businesses, manufacturers, trade associations and international regulatory authorities to bring solutions to a more complex global supply chain. For more information about our certification, testing, inspection, advisory and education services, visit http://www.UL.com.
