Terminal Type Approval

EMVCo established the Terminal Type Approval process to create a mechanism to test compliance with the EMV Specifications. Type Approval provides an increased level of confidence that interoperability and consistent behavior between compliant applications have been achieved.

EMVCo Type Approval testing is divided into two levels. The Level 1 Type Approval process tests compliance with the electromechanical characteristics, logical interface, and transmission protocol requirements defined in the EMV Specifications. Level 2 Type Approval tests compliance with the debit/credit application requirements as defined in the EMV Specifications.

Level 1 and Level 2 Type Approval processes are based on the EMV 2000 Version 4.0 Specifications. The current specifications, EMV 4.1, or 2004 version, consists of the EMV 4.0 Specifications along with the relevant bulletins and updates since the release of 4.0 in 2000. Testing to the prior level, EMV'96 Version 3.1.1 was discontinued in March 2004; however existing EMV 3.1.1 approvals remain valid.

The menu on the left provides further information regarding the Type Approval process-- accredited laboratories, lists of approved devices and kernels, Level 1 and Level 2 documentation, and vendor contracts and forms. Additionally, please see the 'Frequently Asked Questions - Type Approval' section for more information on Type Approval.