Card standardisation: Version 5.0 of the SCF Volume
- The EPC published the fifth version of the SEPA Cards Framework standardisation Volume's “Book of Requirements”. Validated by the EPC Card Standardisation Group (CSG), this version enriches the previous ones. Further additions are planned in 2011 for security requirements (Chapter 5) and certification (Chapter 6).
- To this point, the Book of Requirements includes a completed Chapter 4 composed of a functional description for card payment services as well as functional requirements. These requirements deal with both cards and terminals, covering face-to-face and remote payment, as well as cash withdrawal (Chapters 1 to 3 are purely formal).
- The EPC relies on pre-existing standardisation initiatives, such as CAS (Common Approval Scheme) for certification and security, SEPA FAST for payment terminals, etc. These workshops were formed in the beginning of the years 2000 and based on manufacturers, end users and national card schemes voluntary participation. Acting on the SEPA scale, the EPC has to gather the largest base, a process therefore heavier and thus slower, as explained by the EMV in its October 2010 7th SEPA Progress Report.
- It should be reminded that the publication of a full set of standards will not make them ipso facto compulsory. This decision will be made by SEPA compliant card schemes: MasterCard, Visa Europe, the GIE "CB", German ZKA and their likes. Each of these schemes will also define its migration rhythm and modalities.
- The EPC will also have to join international private standardisation organisations, such as EMVco and PCI-SSC. This is one of the points required by European authorities to assess the sovereignty of the European payment industry.
See October 2010 Watch