In the world of digital payments, trust and security are non-negotiable. As payment terminals handle sensitive financial transactions, they must comply with stringent standards to ensure interoperability, data integrity, and fraud prevention. EMV Level 3 Certification is a critical step in this process, validating that a terminal accurately and securely processes payment transactions with the acquiring bank.

EMV Level 3 Certification focuses on end-to-end transaction processing, ensuring that POS (Point of Sale) terminals, ATMs, SoftPOS devices and payment applications correctly handle payment card interactions, authorization messages and settlement with the acquiring bank. It validates ISO 8583 message formats, proper generation of EMV data elements, and transaction flow accuracy from card tap/insert/swipe to final settlement.

This phase is conducted in coordination with the acquiring bank or payment processor, and certification approval is mandatory before a payment solution can go live in the market.

Why It Matters for Secure Payment Processing

1. Verification of Complete Transaction Workflow

Every transaction processed by a payment terminal involves multiple stages:

• Card Interaction: Reading card data through contact, contactless, or magnetic stripe interfaces.
• Transaction Processing: Performing risk checks, determining CVM (Cardholder Verification Method), generating cryptographic data, and selecting the appropriate application.
• Authorization Request: Packaging all transaction data into a properly formatted ISO 8583 message for the acquiring bank.
• Authorization Response Handling: Interpreting the acquirer’s response and taking the correct action, including generating a Transaction Certificate (TC) for approved transactions.
• Settlement: Compiling transaction logs into settlement files, closing batches, and transmitting data for reconciliation.

Level 3 certification ensures every one of these stages functions flawlessly, and that errors or exceptions are properly handled, maintaining transaction integrity and customer trust.

2. Validation of ISO 8583 Message Structure and Content

ISO 8583 is the universal standard for financial transaction messaging, and any deviation in message format can lead to transaction failures or rejections by the acquiring bank. Level 3 certification requires:

• Accurate Population of Data Fields: Each ISO 8583 message must include correctly formatted fields, such as Primary Account Number (PAN), Transaction Amount, Merchant ID, and Card Expiry Date.
• Correct Formatting of Field 55 (EMV Data): Field 55 carries critical EMV data elements (in TLV format), including:
  • 9F02 – Transaction Amount
  • 9F03 – Amount, Other
  • 9F1A – Terminal Country Code
  • 5F2A – Transaction Currency Code
  • 82 – Application Interchange Profile
  • 9F26 – Authorization Request Cryptogram (ARQC)

This data must be accurately encoded, properly sequenced, and verified during certification.

3. Confirmation of EMV Data Element Accuracy and Cryptographic Integrity

EMV transactions depend on dynamic cryptographic data to combat fraud. Certification validates:

• Generation of ARQC (Authorization Request Cryptogram): Ensures each transaction has a unique cryptogram, proving the transaction originated from the card and terminal at that moment.
• Proper Handling of Terminal Verification Results (TVR) and Transaction Status Information (TSI): These elements document risk management decisions and are essential for issuer processing.
• Compliance with Card Schemes: Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, etc., have specific requirements for tag inclusion, tag order, and cryptographic algorithms.

4. Final Approval from Acquirer or Payment Processor

Only after all test cases are executed successfully, and no critical or major issues remain, will the acquirer grant Level 3 Certification approval. This formal approval allows the terminal to process live transactions and may be required for regional or global deployment.

EMV L3 Testing Services includes

EazyPay Tech provides end-to-end EMV L3 testing tailored for terminal manufacturers, EMV software providers, and merchants. Rather than managing multiple vendors, we offer a fully integrated solution combining technical expertise, advanced tools, and project oversight  to streamline your L3 certification journey and reduce time-to-market.

1. Customized Test Planning – Tailored Strategy for Every Terminal

Our team begins with an in-depth analysis of your payment terminal’s unique ecosystem:

• Hardware & Software Profiling: We assess the capabilities and limitations of your terminal’s hardware and payment application software.
• Card Schemes & Transaction Types: Identification of supported card schemes (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, UnionPay, etc.) and transaction types (purchase, refund, offline, contactless, etc.).
• Acquirer-Specific Requirements: We gather and incorporate specific test cases and compliance scenarios mandated by your acquirer(s).
• Bespoke Test Matrix: Based on the above, we design a custom test matrix covering all necessary paths, edge cases, and validation points to ensure seamless acquirer acceptance.

2. Advanced Test Environment Setup – Replicating Real-World Scenarios

We establish a robust testing environment to simulate live conditions and rigorously validate terminal behavior

• Certified EMV Test Cards: Access to a comprehensive library of test cards from major card schemes to simulate varied transaction flows.
• Host Simulators: Emulation of acquirer host responses (approval, decline, referral, etc.) to validate terminal communication and processing logic.
• Log Analyzers & Message Parsers: Use of advanced diagnostic tools to trace transaction logs, detect ISO 8583 message formatting issues, and ensure protocol compliance.
• Test Automation (where applicable): For repeatable test cases, we leverage automation tools to accelerate validation and reduce manual effort.

3. Detailed Test Execution & Insightful Reporting – Turning Data into Decisions

Our expert test engineers execute a comprehensive suite of L3 test cases designed to validate every transactional scenario:

• Thorough Testing Coverage: Execution across contact/contactless paths, multiple card schemes, and transaction types including abnormal and error conditions.
• Issue Tracking & Resolution Reports: Every test outcome is documented in detailed reports outlining:
  
  • Identified issues and root causes.
  • Technical resolution suggestions tailored for your development team.
  • Behavioral analysis of your system under different test conditions.
• Real-Time Collaboration: We provide actionable feedback and work closely with your engineering team for prompt issue resolution and revalidation.

4. Acquirer Submission & Certification Approval – Smooth Path to Compliance

After successful internal validation, we manage the complete submission process to your acquiring bank:

• Documentation Preparation: Compilation of all necessary artifacts test logs, reports, declarations  in the format expected by the acquirer or payment scheme.
• Support During Acquirer Audits: Direct engagement with acquirers during the review process to address any queries or clarifications.
• Accelerated Approval Process: With proactive engagement and compliant deliverables, we help you achieve faster L3 certification approval, reducing delays in your go-to-market plans.

Post-Certification Maintenance

• Version Control and Change Management: Maintain certified versions and manage updates without losing certification integrity.
• Ongoing Compliance Monitoring: Support for scheme updates, new acquirer integrations, and terminal feature enhancements.
• Future Certification Assistance: Help with re-certification during terminal upgrades or market expansions.

Why Choose EazyPay Tech for EMV Level 3 Certification?

• Proven Expertise: Years of experience certifying POS Terminals, SoftPOS, QR Payment Apps, and ATMs globally.
• Accelerated Certification: Streamlined processes for faster time-to-market without compromising quality.
• Global Reach: Support for certification with multiple acquiring banks worldwide.
• End-to-End Service: From test planning to approval, we guide you through every step.