Visa USA has launched a "smart Visa Ready" programme, outlining an approval process for technology providers offering smart card products and services.
The programme will ensure consistency in product offerings, helping financial institutions, merchants and consumers easily identify and use compatible products that meet uniform performance standards, says Visa.
"In order for smart cards to become viable in the US, there is a need to lay the foundation in which all smart card related product standards are rooted," says Patrick Gauthier, senior vice president, smart card applications and market development, Visa USA.
The smart Visa Ready mark is a Visa corporate identifier that denotes smart-card components, devices and services that have met a set of criteria to ensure consistent performance and utility. Visa will require vendors, processors and physical POS merchants to undergo a standardised approval process before granting authorisation to use the mark, which will appear on device packaging or collateral.
Compaq has been named as the first PC vendor to earn the smart Visa Ready mark. Using Gemplus reader technology, Compaq is to release its new smart Visa Ready computers later this year.