EMV Isn't For Everyone

By Matt Pillar, chief editor

I’ll admit that I’m growing a little weary of writing and talking about EMV. Maybe you’re getting even a little more tired of reading and hearing about it. But, bear with me for a minute. I’m not going to try to sell you anything, or persuade you with fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Given all the misinformation out there of late, I think it’s time to pause for a few minutes and focus on an important point that many of the banks, processors, and terminal manufacturers are generally happy to let slip off into the thick gray line between fact and fiction.

To be clear, the liability shift that’s been looming over your head is potentially threatening. For some retailers, the risk is large. But while EMV compliance is required for credit card acquirers and processors, it’s not a mandate for merchants.

A mandate is defined as an official order or commission to do something, or the authority to carry out a policy or course of action. While Visa’s EMV standard does include some mandate language, that language is not directed at merchants.

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