Collis introduces EMV personalisation validation tool

The EMV PVT allows card issuers to verify that their cards have been correctly personalised before they are issued to the market. This assures that the card will work smoothly in the field. With this tool, Visa card issuers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa can speed up the development of the personalisation process and shorten time-to-market. The EMV PVT can be used for sample testing in daily card production as well.

Collis has worked with Visa Europe and Visa International CEMEA to ensure that the EMV PVT addresses all personalisation requirements from Visa Europe and Visa International CEMEA. The new tool is compliant with Visa's standard for Visa Smart Debit and Credit transactions (VSDC).

Dirk Jan van den Heuvel, Managing Director of Collis, says: "Personalisation of EMV cards is not that simple as it might look. With the new EMV PVT, member banks of Visa Europe and CEMEA can make sure that their cards are personalised correctly. This simplifies migration towards EMV. Using the EMV PVT avoids expensive replacements of EMV cards. Collis is proud to assist Visa and its member banks in this."

"European banks are in the full roll-out of EMV cards. More than 100 new chip card programmes are initiated every month. It is important that Member banks have appropriate test tools to ensure their cardholders can use their chip cards anywhere without problems. With EMV PVT from Collis the banks can test their chip card personalisation before issuing the cards to their customers," adds Pekka Mattila, Head of Chip Integration, Visa Europe.

"By working closely with Collis we now have a tool that will allow us to quickly and reliably review our Member banks VSDC cards," said Mike Wallin, Head of Operations, Visa International CEMEA. "Visa CEMEA will use the PVT tool to validate that the card personalisation meets Member requirements and EMV and VISA specifications. This development is one of many initiatives that make it easier for Visa member banks to move to chip technology."

Collis' EMV PVT thoroughly tests payment cards on all the aspects of personalisation. Compliance is checked according to strict rules from the EMV specifications, as well as with specific requirements of the payment associations, like Visa, MasterCard and JCB. The EMV PVT can be used in development of the personalisation process and for sample testing during production.