Card Testing Services


CTI's Card Testing Services are applied to all Product Testing and Technology Testing. We offer worldwide ISO/IEC 17025 accredited quality assurance testing to certify and also to prevent re-issuance of financial / transport / ID cards.

The services are separated by the different stages of the card manufacturing and card processing equipment, all with the common goal to ensure your cards work worldwide, first time, every time.

If you wish to enquire about our services or for further information, please contact us via our Contact Page.



Manufacturer Certification



Overview
Ensure that your personalisation bureau, manufacturing plant or card product is certified by testing with CTI’s fully qualified laboratory. CTI is a trusted test certifier and auditor for card manufacturers and issuers in all parts of the globe. Accepted by international card schemes and government bodies worldwide, CTI has a focus on high quality reporting and the industry’s fastest test turnaround time for testing. Tandem testing and careful resourcing structures enable CTI to achieve this point of difference as a test laboratory, with most certifications sent within days of the test samples being received. Testing that once took two to three weeks, can now be completed within one week.

Please contact us for a copy of our Test Timeline Flowchart for further information.


VISA Innovative Product Testing
CTI is certified by VISA to perform the latest VISA Innovative Card Product testing and electro-physical testing to the latest VISA standards. This includes cards that use biometric authentication, powered features, interactive displays, dynamic CVV, metal layers, biodegradable or unconventional materials, unique card body shapes and many other new and exciting features. Most VISA Innovative Product certifications can be achieved within one week, with some products that contain a multitude of features requiring one to two weeks.

Show Methods & Standards

VISA Innovative Card Product

Test MethodStandard Reference
ThicknessISO 10373-1
Height and widthISO 10373-1
Embossing relief height of charactersISO 10373-1
Bending stiffnessISO 10373-1
OpacityISO 10373-1
Card warpageISO 10373-1
Resistance to heatISO 10373-1
Resistance to chemicals without salt mistISO 10373-1
Salt mistISO 10373-1
Card dimensional stability and warpage with Temperature and HumidityISO 10373-1
Peel strengthISO 10373-1
Adhesion or blockingISO 10373-1
Dynamic bending stress - IC CardsISO 10373-1
Dynamic torsional stress - IC CardsISO 10373-1
Magnetic Stripe Area WarpageISO 10373-2
Surface Roughness of the Magnetic StripeISO 10373-2
Magnetic Characteristics (Dynamic)ISO 10373-2
Height & Surface Profile of the Magnetic StripeISO 10373-2
Wear test for Magnetic StripeISO 10373-2
Magnetic Stripe AdhesionISO 10373-2
Magnetic Stripe Surface DistortionsISO 10373-2
Dimension and Location of ContactsISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Mechanical strength (3 wheel test) ISO mode 8NISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Surface AbrasionANSI INCITS 322-2015
Embossed Character Retention - PressureANSI INCITS 322-2015
Embossed Character Relief Height Retention - HeatANSI INCITS 322-2015
IC Card with Contacts Micromodule AdhesionANSI INCITS 322-2015
Three Roller IC Card TestANSI INCITS 322-2015
Card Structural Integrity (Elev. Temp & Paint Shaker)ANSI INCITS 322-2015


MasterCard CQM and CSI Testing
CTI is certified to ISO/IEC for MC CQM tests (MasterCard Card Quality Management) and CSI testing (Card Structure and Integrity Program) for Alternative Materials. These set the specifications and methods required for both conventional and alternative or new technologies to enable manufacturing facilities to gain MasterCard approval. Most of the almost 100 card tests within the MasterCard documents reference the ISO/IEC, ANSI, and EMVCo standards. Both MC CQM/CSI specific and referenced tests can be tested by CTI, with turnaround time dependent on the number of technologies and material types included on the card product. CTI has been recognised by both MasterCard and MC CQM auditors for testing their products for almost 20 years and continues to offer services to manufacturers and card issuers alike.

Show Methods & Standards

CQM IC Test Methods

Test Method
IC Dimensions
Passivation Layer Integrity
IC Backside Roughness
IC Visual Aspects
Die Flex Stress Test
X-Rays
Static Magnetic Fields
Electrostatic Discharges (ESD)
Latch-Up
Contact Pads Maximum Input Voltage Ratings
VCC Contact
CLK Contact
I/O Contact
RST Contact
Parametric Electrical Characteristics - Test Methods using ATE (Contact)
ESD at Antenna Pads
Alternating Magnetic Fields
Operational Carrier Frequency
Operational Carrier Amplitude
Influence of the PICC on the Operating Field
PICC Requirements for Power Transfer PCD to PICC
Power-off Time
Power-on Time
Modulation PCD to PICC – Type A/B (PICC Reception)
Measurement of Load Modulation Characteristics (PICC Transmission)
Temperature and Humidity Exposure
Temperature Cycling

CQM Personalisation of ID-1 Test Methods

Test Method
Durability of Tipping
Embossed Character Relief Height Retention:Pressure
Embossed Character Relief Height Retention: Heat
Durability of Surface Printing, Indent Printing, Thermal Transfer, Laser Engraving, and Drop-on- Demand – Sandpaper Rub Test
Durability of Surface Printing, Indent Printing, Thermal Transfer, Laser Engraving, and Drop-on- Demand – Soft Eraser Rub Test
Durability of Surface Printing, Indent Printing, Thermal Transfer, Laser Engraving, and Drop-on- Demand – Tape Pull Test
Mechanical Reliability: Absence of Residual Stress
Integrity of Character Reproduction
CQM ID-1 Test Methods

Test Method
Card Edge
Card Reference Position
ICM-Edge
Pantone-Colors
Metallic Colors
Registration and Positioning
Printing Aspect
Card Aspect
UV-Printing
Printed Security Elements
Security Devices (Hologram, PBM, magnetic stripe with hologram like surface, Signature Panel) - Adhesion,
Aspect and Shape, Size and Positioning
Relative Height of Contacts
Dimension and Location of Contacts
Width and Height
Card Thickness outside Contacts, Embossed Areas and Add-on Areas
Thickness with Add-on Areas
Corners
Card Edges
Bending Stiffness
Durability – Dimensional Stability with Temperature and Humidity
Exposure to Temperature and Humidity
Overall Card Warpage
Resistance to Heat
Peel Strength Test
Advanced Peel Strength Test
Adhesion or Blocking
Dynamic Bending Stress
Dynamic Torsional Stress
Impact Resistance
Corner Impact Test
Surface Abrasion Resistance
Resistance to Chemicals
Opacity
3 Wheel Test
Mechanical Reliability: Wrapping Test
Solidity- ICM Adhesion - Back of Card Spot Pressure Test
ESC - ESD Conductivity of Card
ESC - ESD Conductivity of Materials

CSI Test Applicable To All Cards

Test Method
Width and Height
Card Thickness outside Contacts, Embossed Areas and Add-on Areas
Thickness with Add-on Areas
Corners
Card Edges
Bending Stiffness
Durability – Dimensional Stability with Temperature and Humidity
Exposure to Temperature and Humidity
Overall Card Warpage
Resistance to Heat
Peel Strength Test
Adhesion or Blocking
Dynamic Bending Stress
Dynamic Torsional Stress
Impact Resistance
Corner Impact Test
Surface Abrasion Resistance
Toxicity
Resistance to Chemicals
UV Light
Opacity
Delamination cross-hatch
Hologram
Signature Panel
Static Bending
CSI - Embossing Specific Tests

Test Method
Embossed Character Relief Height Retention: Pressure
Embossed Character Relief Height Retention: Heat

CSI Tests Applicable To IC Cards

Test Method
Relative Height of Contacts
Dimension and Location of Contacts
3 Wheel Test
Mechanical Reliability: Wrapping Test
Solidity- ICM Adhesion
Resistance to Plasticizer
Salt mist
Resistance to chemicals - one-minute tests
Resistance to chemicals - 24-hour tests
Flammability
Temperature Cycling
Temperature and Humidity
Vibration
Delamination - Cross-hatch tape test

CSI Magnetic Stripe Specific Tests

Test Method
Location of Magnetic Stripe
Magnetic Stripe Area Warpage
Magnetic Stripe Surface Distortions
Solidity/Adhesion of Stripe to card
Resistance to Abrasion
Wear test of Magnetic Stripe from Read/Write Head
Dynamic Characteristics of a HiCo Mag Stripe
Static Characteristics of a HiCo Mag Stripe


American Express Physical Testing
CTI is certified by American Express to perform Amex Enabled Physical Test certification for chip and contactless cards. This involves physical testing of the Card body, Magnetic Stripe, Embossing and Contact IC technologies so that manufacturing facilities are able to gain a letter of approval prior for the card product. The testing requirements are performed according to the card core construction which can be: cards with plastic bodies, cards with metal bodies, and cards with composite construction such as metal and plastic layers. Please click here for more information.

Show Methods & Standards

AMEX Physical Tests (IC Cards)

Test MethodStandard Reference
Card warpageISO 10373-1
Height and widthISO 10373-1
ThicknessISO 10373-1
Peel strengthISO 10373-1
Resistance to chemicals without salt mistISO 10373-1
Resistance to chemicals - Salt mistISO 10373-1
Card dimensional stability and warpageISO 10373-1
Adhesion or blockingISO 10373-1
Bending stiffnessISO 10373-1
Dynamic bending stress - IC CardsISO 10373-1
Dynamic torsional stress - IC CardsISO 10373-1
OpacityISO 10373-1
UV LightISO 10373-1
X-RaysISO 10373-1
Resistance to heatISO 10373-1
Surface Distortions and Raised AreasISO 10373-1
Dimension and location of contactsISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Static ElectricityIEC 60749-26
Electrical Surface Resistance of ContactsISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Surface Profile of ContactsISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Mechanical strength (3 wheel test) ISO mode 8NISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Mechanical TestISO 10373-1 Amd 1
Operating Temperature0 to 50°C
Static ElectricityISO 10373-1 Amd 1


CTI Certificate of Compliance
Promote Your Product and Reputation… Following successful testing and compliance to a standard or requirement, an official CTI Certificate of Compliance is provided to include the tests performed. This allows recognition of successful compliance for the card batch tested and can also be used to increase your company reputation to prospective clients by proving your ability to meet specifications. CTI certificates are professionally presented and counterfeit protected before being delivered to your facility by international courier within 4 working days. Each CTI certificate is security printed in full colour on archival paper, hand signed, embossed, and laminated for display and archival purposes.




Below is a list of Card Products and Card Technologies that are involved with this Card Testing Service.

Products:
Credit Cards / Debit Cards, Loyalty Cards / Gift Cards, Transport Cards, ID Cards & Driver Licences, Passports / MRTD

Technologies:
Magnetic Stripe, Smart Card / Chip Card, RFID / NFC Contactless, EMV Certification, Powered Card / Display Card, Biometric Card, Embossing & Printing

Contact us for further information, and we would also be happy to provide you with a Quotation.


Manufacturers




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