How Does EMVCo Work with Other Global Technical Bodies?

EMVCo works closely with regional and global technical bodies and industry associations around the world to align industry requirements and initiatives. This collaboration supports the development of EMV^® Specifications that improve security and payment experiences globally.

Consumers expect a familiar, convenient and reliable experience when making payments in-store or online, anywhere in the world. EMVCo helps make this possible with technical specifications that enable card-based products to work seamlessly and securely worldwide.

Hundreds of organisations participate as EMVCo Associates and Subscribers to develop, enhance and evolve these specifications. Complementing this engagement is EMVCo’s collaboration with technical bodies, industry associations and standards organisations.

But what exactly does this collaboration with technical bodies look like, and what value does it bring to the wider payments industry?

Technical Collaboration Snapshot

EMVCo has working relationships with multiple industry associations, standards organisations and technical bodies around the world. By collaborating and sharing information on related specifications, standards and initiatives, we help ensure that there are no conflicting requirements or gaps that would limit implementation. This results in specifications used across the payments industry to create products and services that deliver trusted and convenient payments for merchants and consumers worldwide.

Technical Collaboration in Action

Here are a few examples of how EMVCo is engaged in technical collaboration across different payment environments and geographies:

1. E-Commerce

• EMVCo is working extensively with FIDO Alliance to enable secure authentication – in a scalable and interoperable manner – across the payment ecosystem.FIDO Data is being used in EMV 3-D Secure (3DS) messages to reduce fraud and promote a frictionless payment process for consumers.We are also exploring functional biometric testing principles for EMVCo’s Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) initiative.

• EMVCo also collaborates with W3C to enhance security and convenience of Web payments.Together with FIDO Alliance we formed the Web Payment Security Interest Group and launched a paper detailing How EMVCo, FIDO, and W3C Technologies Relate.
• EMVCo coordinates with the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) on global payment security – whatever the technology used.We align with PCI SSC to ensure continuous improvement of the PCI terminal security evaluation based on EMV Specifications, including Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) security, as part of ongoing discussions on post-quantum risk.PCI SSC also manages the security evaluation process for the EMV 3DS software for online transactions.

2. Face-to-face

• EMVCo has been working closely with NFC Forum to ensure all cards/handsets could be used for payment and that there are no conflicting requirements between the two bodies.
• EMVCo and GSMA confer on EMV Specifications, testing and branding practices that have a direct impact on mobile device platforms. This alignment supports the use of mobile phones for seamless and secure contactless payments.
• EMVCo and GlobalPlatform regularly share related specifications for input and feedback.Together we achieved a new specification to simplify and bring greater trust to the authentication of digital services on smartphones and biometric-enabled cards.

3. Industry and region-specific

• EMVCo worked extensively with IATA, and travel technology company, Amadeus, supported by input from the wider travel industry, to ensure that the data required in the EMV 3DS message extension aligned with current systems and best practice.Fraud presents a significant challenge to the travel industry and so the resulting Message Extension was designed to exclusively meet the specific needs of airlines and travel agents to immediately reduce transaction fraud, while minimising additional friction during the purchase experience.EMVCo is now advancing the document to expand the Travel Industry Message Extension to include data that supports hotel and car rental e-commerce payment transactions.
• In the U.S., EMVCo’s collaboration with the U.S. Payments Forum (USPF) is enhancing our understanding of local payment market needs and issues, which will help ensure specifications such as EMV Secure Remote Commerce (SRC) and EMV 3DS support local requirements.
• In Europe, we work with many bodies, including the European Payments Council, to expand EMVCo’s understanding of the views of the European Payment Service Providers.

These technical collaborations between EMVCo and other industry players are integral to the ongoing evolution and enhancement of EMV Specifications that support trusted and convenient payments for merchants and consumers around the world.