EMV Level 2 - Just what does it mean?

The purpose and goal of the EMV standard is to specify interoperability between EMV compliant IC cards and EMV compliant credit card payment terminals throughout the world. There are two major benefits to moving to smart card based credit card payment systems: improved security (with associated fraud reduction), and the possibility for finer control of "offline" credit card transaction approvals

So someone asks you -- is your kiosk EMV L2, or more specifically are your devices Level 2...

Here are some definitions.

EMV Level 1 covers the electrical and physical interfaces, and the transmission of data, between the terminal and the card. There is an extensive EMVCo defined level 1 approval process, which requires every card reader to have completed laboratory type approval before they can be used to perform EMV transactions. EMVCo also require this approval to be renewed at defined intervals to retain compliance.


EMV Level 2 covers the set of functions that provide all the necessary processing logic and data that is required to select and process a card application in order to perform an EMV transaction.

There is an extensive EMVCodefined level 2 approval process, which requires every EMV kernel to have completed laboratory type approval before they can be used to perform EMV transactions. EMVCo also require this approval to be renewed at defined intervals to retain compliance.

There are no level 2 certified Card Readers for example. They are all Level 1. There are however Level 2 kernels.

Reference EMVCO link

Level 2 Contact Approved Application Kernels - Within 2 Years

EMV 4.0 Approvals Within the Past Two Years

The following list contains application kernels for which EMVCo has approved the first configuration within the past two years.

EMVCo Terminal Type Approval Level 2 addresses the conformance of the terminal resident application software in whole or in part that supports the required and optional EMV specification functionality.

EMVCo is pleased to announce the following Vendors Application Kernels have received EMVCo Terminal Type Level 2 approval according to EMV 4.0.

489 Approved Kernel Configurations/140 Vendors


The EMVCO site also lists devices which meet the EMV L1 certs.

http://www.emvco.com/approvals.aspx?id=84#S

Level 1 Contact Approved Interface Modules

EMVCo Type Approval Level 1 addresses the conformance of Interface Modules (IFM) to the EMV defined set of electrical, mechanical and communication protocol characteristics. EMVCo is pleased to announce the following vendors' interface modules (IFMs) have received EMVCo Terminal Level 1 approval according to EMV 4.0 specifications.

For further details regarding these products, including the test result summary, please contact the relevant vendor. You may also contact the EMVCo via communication facility found on this website. Please go to the home page and select "Contact Us" and follow the prompts to submit your query.

Please note that an IFM marked with an asterisk (*) has some restrictions. These restrictions are listed on the first page of the LOA. Contact the vendor to retrieve a copy of the LOA.

661 IFM Approvals/242 Vendors



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Related Ring Sites:
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Resource Sites:
  Elo TouchSystems  |   Acire Inc.  |   Nextep  |   TIO Networks  |   Olea  |   Self-Service Networks  |   Meridian Kiosks  |   Provisio  |   Kioware  |
  Selling Machine Partners  |   Source Technologies  |   Seepoint  |   5Point  |   Nanonation  |   Netkey  |   KioskCom  |   Summit Research  |   NCR  |