Category: EMV L2 Certification | EMV L3 Certification

In the realm of EMV testing, the processes of Level 2 and Level 3 play crucial roles in ensuring the security and functionality of payment systems. Level 2 testing involves evaluating the communication between the payment terminal and the card chip, focusing on the interoperability and compliance of the hardware and software components. On the other hand, Level 3 testing delves deeper into transaction-specific details, examining the intricacies of complex scenarios and ensuring that the system behaves as expected in various real-world situations. Together, these levels of testing contribute to the overall robustness and reliability of EMV-enabled payment systems, enhancing both security and user experience in the dynamic landscape of electronic transactions.

What is EMV Level 2 testing?

EMV L2 testing evaluates the EMV Level 2 kernel, which is the software inside the terminal (known as firmware) that performs EMV processing, for compliance with the EMV Chip Specifications. This includes tests to confirm that the software supports the EMV payment application functions.

How does the EMV Level 2 testing and approvals process work?

The actual testing is performed by EMVCo accredited external test laboratories located in numerous locations around the world. This is facilitated through an EMVCo managed laboratory accreditation programme with an associated ongoing monitoring process. In brief, the process for product providers includes these steps:

• Registration

  The product vendor registers with EMVCo.

• Laboratory Selection

  the product vendor selects a laboratory to complete the evaluation.

• Testing

  the laboratory tests the product and submits a test report to the provider.

• Approval

  EMVCo evaluates the test report and issues a Letter of Approval (LOA). Approved products are listed on the EMVCo website.

What benefit does EMV Level 2 testing and approval offer to the payments industry?

L2 testing and approval provides a way for card, device and terminal manufacturers to demonstrate that their products are certified as meeting EMV Specifications for performance and compatibility prior to their deployment. Merchants and consumers benefit from payment technology that enables familiar, convenient and reliable chip card-based payments anywhere in the world.

What is Level 3 testing?

Level 3 testing ensures the conformity of merchant terminals to payment systems policies and procedures. The payment systems require that chip terminals that have been configured for deployment are Level 3 tested before being integrated into their payment acceptance environments.

This means the chip terminal must be complete with its EMVCo-approved hardware (L1) and software kernel and payment application (L2) in place and must be configured with the right application before being connected to a test environment or host simulator, which mimics authorisation responses from payment systems.

What benefit does EMV Level 3 testing and approval offer to the payments industry?

L3 testing evaluates and confirms that an EMV-compliant payment acceptance terminal will work with merchant or bank systems to enable end-to-end transaction acceptance. The testing helps ensure that a new or upgraded terminal (hardware and/or software) meets the specific requirements and recommendations of the individual payment systems before it is brought to market.