- What is EMV Contactless Chip?
- Specifications
- Benefits
- FAQs
- Resources
- Trademarks
What is EMV Contactless Chip?
Contactless transactions are rapidly increasing around the world as part of a broader shift towards touchless payments. EMV Contactless Chip supports in-store payments with contactless chip cards and Near-Field Communication (NFC) enabled mobile devices that do not require physical contact with the acceptance terminal. Consumers wave or tap their device on the terminal to complete the transaction. A one-time use security code is generated for every transaction to safeguard against fraud.
EMV Contactless Chip is supported by the EMV Chip1, EMV Contactless2, and EMV Contactless Kernel Specifications, which together define the requirements for the chip and acceptance terminal to communicate and process contact and contactless transactions seamlessly anywhere in the world.
EMVCo publishes the EMV Chip and EMV Contactless Specifications and supporting approval and evaluation processes.
News & Insights
Specifications & Associated Bulletins
View all EMV Contactless Chip specifications
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Benefits
Seamless
EMV Contactless Chip supports seamless and secure contactless acceptance worldwide.
Enhanced Security
Uses advanced cryptographic functions for more secure transactions than with traditional magnetic stripe cards.
Compatibility
Supports the development of payment products that will work seamlessly and securely anywhere they are used for contactless transactions.
Consistency
Enables a consistent contactless payment experience for consumers wherever they are in the world.
Flexibility
Flexible to support loyalty programmes, transit ticketing and other offerings not dedicated to payments.
EMV Contactless Product Approval and Evaluation
EMVCo facilitates testing, approval and evaluation of EMV Contactless acceptance and payment devices. EMVCo issues type approvals and security evaluation certificates for products that demonstrate sufficient conformance.
Learn more about Test Tool Qualification Processes and Laboratory Accreditation Processes.
EMVCo Listings
- Approved/ Evaluated Products
- Service Providers
- Registered Kernel IDs
- Qualified Testing Tools
- Accredited EMVCo Laboratories
Approval and Evaluation Processes
- Card Consumer Device Processes
- NFC Consumer Device Processes
- Acceptance Device Processes
FAQs
What is an EMV Contactless Kernel?
A contactless kernel provides a set of functions for the payment application in the acceptance device to process contactless transactions. An EMV Contactless Kernel is a kernel that has been evaluated and approved as meeting the EMV Contactless Kernel Specification.
What are the EMVCo Book C-X Specifications?
Each global payment system has its own specification for a contactless kernel. EMVCo publishes these individual specifications on the EMVCo website as Book C-X Specifications.
EMVCo recently published the EMV C-8 Book Specification to provide the industry with an EMV Contactless Kernel Specification that can be licensed directly from EMVCo under the same terms as the EMV Contact Chip Specification.
What are the requirements for placement of the contactless symbol?
Requirements for placement of the contactless symbol are described in the Contactless Symbol Reproduction Requirements available here.
What are proximity coupling devices (PCDs)?
A proximity coupling device is the hardware part of a contactless reader that supports the protocol communication with the consumer device (card or mobile).
What are proximity integrated circuit cards (PICCs)?
Proximity integrated circuit cards are contactless smart cards.
EMV Contactless Resources
EMV Best Practices for Contactless Acceptance at Point-of-Sale
This document provides guidance on the design, implementation, and installation of devices used by merchants to accept contactless payments.
View best practices
EMV Contactless Indicator Reproduction Requirements
This document includes the requirements for use of the EMV Contactless Indicator on physical cards, mobile phones, other payment and non-payment form factors, and within supporting marketing collateral.
View requirements
EMV Contactless Symbol Reproduction Requirements
This document includes the requirements for use of the EMV Contactless Symbol at point-of-sale terminals and within supporting marketing collateral.
View requirements
Trademarks
Contactless Indicator
The Contactless Indicator is for use on payment cards and mobile devices to demonstrate that they can be used to make EMV Contactless payments.
Contactless Symbol
The Contactless Symbol is for use at the point-of-sale to signal to consumers that a payment terminal can accept EMV Contactless payments.
1 EMV Chip refers to EMV Integrated Circuit Card Specifications for Payment Systems.
2 EMV Contactless refers to Book A, B and C-X.
Get involvedInterested in collaborating with EMVCo? Ways to participate
More than a hundred organisations – including merchants, issuers, acquirers, payment networks, financial institutions, manufacturers, technology providers and testing laboratories – contribute their knowledge and expertise to the development of EMV Specifications.
