The EMV Level 1 standard refers to an important global payment industry specification that defines the electrical and physical interface between credit cards and debit cards and the payment terminal (ATM/POS).
The EMV Contactless Level 1 certification guarantees that the device (specifically, the terminal) meets the low-level electromagnetic and communication protocol requirements. It includes operating-distance tests in which reference cards are placed at a predetermined series of positions near the device's antenna.
The EMV Contactless Level 2 certification concerns the approval of the software that implements the payment function and runs on a Level 1-certified device. This software is called a payment kernel. The contactless payment brands to be supported (for example, Mastercard/Maestro Contactless, VISA payWave, or American Express contactless) determine which payment kernels are to be implemented.
The Contactless Level 3 certification, or brand certification, ensures that the software configuration on devices meets the brand's requirements. If more than one payment brand is to be supported, all of the relevant Level 3 certifications must be completed.
