EMVCo: New Common Payment Application Specification

The EMV CPA Specification is an example of a Common Core Definitions (CCD)-compliant application and is offered to any user as an option to other EMV payment applications. This specification offers a common platform for EMV based debit and credit processing, which enables Issuers to use a single host processing system for all cards, regardless of brand. The development of the specification represents a cooperative effort by JCB, MasterCard International, Visa International, card Issuers and many other current users of the EMV Specifications.

Gaylon Howe, Executive Vice President of Consumer Product Platforms at Visa International and Chairman of the EMVCo Executive Committee, comments: “The purpose of the CPA Specification is to streamline smart card processing for Issuers as well as vendors and service providers. By standardising the payment application used among payment systems, CPA benefits vendors who will not have to duplicate their development or maintenance efforts and supports more cost effective products and services overall.

CPA also enables Issuers to enjoy the benefits of multiple vendors for chip cards and improved interoperability. Thanks to these many benefits, CPA ultimately has the potential to lead to significant cost savings for Issuers migrating to, or already deploying, EMV.”

In addition to the commonality, another major feature of the CPA Specification is its enhanced card risk management controls, which allow Issuers to apply specific risk management profiles based on the type of transaction. As an example, international purchases, low value payment and transactions involving high risk merchants can use distinct risk management controls determined by the Issuer, based on profiles stored in the card.

The CPA Specification also defines all data elements and logic used by the payment application and can support the EMV Card Personalisation Specification (CPS) as an implementer option.

Atsushi Gondo, Executive Officer of Advanced Technologies and Solution Development Headquarters at JCB Co., Ltd. and member of the EMVCo Executive Committee, comments: “The development and release of the EMV CPA Specification demonstrates EMVCo’s commitment to developing common standards among payment systems.

As a result of EMVCo’s regular dialogue with payment industry representatives worldwide it is recognised that common initiatives, such as the development of CPA, are valued by the industry as they can reduce costs and complications for Issuers involved with chip deployment.”

Art Kranzley, Executive Vice President, Advanced Payments, at MasterCard International and member of the EMVCo Executive Committee, adds: “While the deployment of CPA by Issuers is optional, the benefits are clear. CPA has been developed in response to the need for a common payment application within the marketplace and to promote the adoption of secure payment solutions.

Following publication of the CPA Specification, EMVCo will retain ongoing responsibility for the maintenance of the specification, including the development of test requirements and the establishment of a functional and security testing process for cards containing CPA, which will be available in 2006.”