UL gets EMVCo approval to test mobile device payment specs

Technology safety assessor UL will test EMV specifications on consumer mobile devices as part of standards body EMVCo's early adopter program.

With accreditation from EMVCo, UL will test specifications for the minimum required functionality on off-the-shelf devices to assure they fully operate EMV tasks and have interoperability capabilities independent of the application used.

"Secure and efficient processing of payments is the engine driving the interconnected and cashless world," Isabelle Noblanc, vice president and general manager of UL's Identity management and security division, said in a Wednesday press release.

The UL testing targets payment device manufacturers, payment systems designers and teams within financial organizations responsible for implementing the financial applications of payment devices.

The test specifically evaluates the performance of off-the-shelf consumer mobile devices with built-in contactless capability related to read range and user experience needs, as outlined in the EMV Level 1 specs.

The customer receives an evaluation score after the device testing is completed. Mobile vendors use these scores to refine their product designs and demonstrate the performance of their devices to acquirers, merchants, payment systems and other stakeholders.