Card personalization is one of the major cost components in the production of EMV cards. This specification standardizes the EMV card personalization process with the objective of reducing the cost of personalization thus facilitating the migration to chip.
In today’s environment, there are numerous methods of personalizing EMV cards and many vendors providing the systems to personalize these cards. Each time a native card is developed, or a new application released, issuers and personalization vendors are obliged to expend significant time and money to develop the corresponding personalization process. In addition, these cards are typically personalized using proprietary commands, often making it difficult for card issuers to source cards from alternative suppliers or bureaus.
This specification standardizes EMV card personalization leading to faster, more efficient and more economical solutions. It offers benefits which include: lower set up costs, faster time to market, greater choice of supplier (card and personalization bureau) and an enhanced ability to switch suppliers.