EMVCo ramps up engagement efforts

EMVCo, the global technical body that facilitates worldwide interoperability and acceptance of secure EMV-compliant payment transactions, disclosed Nov. 19, 2019, that it enhanced its EMVCO Associates Program (EAP) to attract more like-minded organizations to its ongoing discussions and initiatives. Ideal candidates are companies that share EMVCo’s interest in integrating a range of technologies and acceptance methods into a unified international payments framework, according to EMVCo representatives.

EAP, established in 2010, is expanding participation to facilitate new approaches to EMV Specifications, stated Bruce Rutherford, EMVCo Executive Committee chair. By expanding its scope and encouraging participation, EMVCo is looking for commentary from payments industry stakeholders around the world, he noted.

“The enhanced programme expands the opportunity for engagement, facilitates early and inclusive interaction, and delivers a worldwide schedule that offers face-to-face meetings in every global region annually,” he stated. “This feedback and direction from the industry is critical to ensuring the EMV Specifications support immediate requirements and future trends.”

Evolving board, committees

Rutherford also mentioned that EMVCo specifications are flexible and designed to adapt to multiple regions, jurisdictions and various local regulations. Collectively owned by American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, UnionPay and Visa, the organization is focused on advancing EMV’s technical specifications. The Associates Programme was created to get more people from a variety of backgrounds, including banks, merchants, processors, vendors and others, involved in projects, initiatives and evolving specifications.

Participating associates who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to EMV deployment and interoperability will help bring broader and diversified ideas to EMVCo’s initiatives in physical and remote payment environments, he stated. Additional program enhancements include targeted merchant and industry participation categories to provide participants with flexible options for engagement.

EMVCo has also appointed Simon Kleine as director of communications, a newly-created position. Klein is a corporate communications expert who has served in leadership positions at American Express, Visa and Western Union, EMVCo representatives stated. Additional leadership developments include transitioning Brian Byrne, director of operations, to a broader director of engagement and operations role. EMVCo appointed Karen Shunk as manager of operations, following her service at the Object Management Group and the Association for Retail Technology Standards, the technology standards division of the National Retail Federation.

EMVCo representatives are encouraging interested parties to become involved in new initiatives. Additional information about the Associates Programme and how to join is available at www.emvco.com/get-involved/ways-to-participate/.

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