Best Practices

The EMV Migration Forum developed this searchable web resource to provide easy-to-find answers on commonly asked questions about best practices for implementing EMV chip technology.  The best practices can be sorted by type, category, and stakeholder or you can search the database.  You can also link directly to all documents answering the questions about best practices.

DO use the Best Practices page to:

  • look up industry best practices which address your business problems
  • browse through existing best practice documents and white papers agreed upon and documented by EMV Migration Forum
  • suggest common business problems which could benefit from industry-wide best practices

DO NOT use the Best Practices page:

  • to look up information on consulting services, education and speaker invitations (EMV Migration Forum DOES NOT offer consulting services)
  • as a generic FAQ page
  • as a discussion page

Search key words across all the columns using the text box below. Use the Search boxes under the column Headings to search key words in those columns alone.

Type Category Sub-Category Stakeholder Topic/Question
Overview Training and Education EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, Merchant, VARs, ISVs and Gateways Where do I get information on EMV Migration Forum membership?
Links & Tools Training and Education EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, Merchant, Personalization, Consumer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways Does the EMV Migration Forum have a newsletter?
Overview Technology Specification Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are and where can I find the EMV specifications?
FAQ Training and Education Brand Resources Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are some payment network specific payment applications for EMV?
FAQ Training and Education EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are some non-payment network specific payment applications for EMV?
FAQ Training and Education, Implementation EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Issuer, Merchant, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What is the fraud liability shift and when is it?
FAQ Technology Specification Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways Which set of specifications should be used for U.S. specific implementation?
Links & Tools Implementation EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways How should I implement debit EMV in U.S.?
Best Practices Testing and Certification EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, Merchant, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are the testing and certification requirements for implementing EMV? What are some best practices for testing and certification?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Merchant Are there any special guidelines for implementing EMV at parking locations?
FAQ Technology Specification Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are the differences among the different EMV applications supported by the different brands?
Best Practices Implementation Interoperability Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are some resources on implementing EMV using VARs, ISVs, or gateways?
Overview Training and Education EMV Resources Consumer, Merchant How does EMV work?
Best Practices Technology Kernel Acquirer/Processor, ATM, Debit, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Cardholder Devices/Plastics/Chips, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are selectable kernel configurations and when might selectable kernel configurations be used?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, Acceptance Devices/Terminals, Issuer, VARs, ISVs and Gateways What are some best practices regarding offline processing?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Issuer, Merchant What are some best practices regarding CVM limits?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Debit, ATM What are some best practices regarding implementing EMV at the ATM?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor, Issuer, Merchant, Consumer What are some best practices regarding communications regarding EMV?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Issuer What are some best practices regarding issuer implementation?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Acquirer/Processor What are some best practices regarding acquirer/processor implementation?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Merchant What are some best practices regarding implementing EMV for a merchant?
Best Practices Implementation EMV Resources Merchant What are the minimum requirements that we need to consider as we deploy chip/EMV for my organization?

Please note: The information and materials available on this web page (“Information”) is provided solely for convenience and does not constitute legal or technical advice. All representations or warranties, express or implied, are expressly disclaimed, including without limitation, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and all warranties regarding accuracy, completeness, adequacy, results, title and non-infringement. All Information is limited to the scenarios, stakeholders and other matters specified, and should be considered in light of applicable laws, regulations, industry rules and requirements, facts, circumstances and other relevant factors. None of the Information should be interpreted or construed to require or promote the establishment of any solution, practice, configuration, rule, requirement or specification inconsistent with applicable legal requirements, any of which requirements may change over time. The U.S. Payments Forum assumes no responsibility to support, maintain or update the Information, regardless of any such change. Use of or reliance on the Information is at the user’s sole risk, and users are strongly encouraged to consult with their respective payment networks, acquirers, processors, vendors and appropriately qualified technical and legal experts prior to all implementation decisions.