Following a 2019 announcement, IDEMIA, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) and NXP Semiconductors have together launched the White Label Alliance (WLA), which responds to growing global demand for next-generation, independent payment solutions for domestic and private-label payment brands.
The formation of the WLA was a direct response to an increasing global demand for next-generation, independent payment solutions. WLA consolidates and sets independent standards for contact and contactless cards, mobile and other form factors and payment terminal acceptance; enabling ready-to-deploy dual interface payment solutions.
Building on the standards set out by Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV), the WLA facilitates migration to contactless solutions, and ensures interoperability across various system providers. As a member-driven association, WLA is prepared and committed to evolve with any future developments as required by the interests of its members; who remain free to use this technology and its certification framework to boost contactless payment take-up.
With an aim to accelerate technology adoption and shorten the time-to-market, WLA has also signed a strategic licensing agreement with global payment scheme JCB. Under this new deal, WLA members will benefit from use of the JCB Contactless specification and kernel that most acceptance terminals support. WLA members can thus draw on existing and widely deployed JCB-approved terminal devices.
“I would like to warmly welcome JCB to WLA on behalf of our founding members G+D, IDEMIA and NXP. We all work together to create a truly independent solution, based on tried and tested technology, with rapid time to market for domestic payment networks, transport operators, private schemes and retailers. Our agreement with JCB will boost our appeal and this unprecedented payment industry initiative. It furthers our original goal to bring about a global independent standard.” states WLA President Jacques Doucerain.
Masaki Yokawa, EVP, Brand Business at JCB added: “As momentum toward contactless payments is gathering on a global scale, it is becoming critical that the interoperable contactless capability is more accessible so that a wider audience can benefit from the enhanced convenience and security. By offering our technology to WLA, we are delighted to work with banks, local networks and vendors to enable contactless implementation with less efforts and shorter time-to-market.”
