EMVCo, the global technical body that manages EMV specifications, has released QR code payment specifications that support use cases for both merchant- and consumer-presented QR codes.

The technical documents define QR code payments in a manner that simplifies the development of QR code payment solutions and potentially broadens their acceptance globally, according to an EMVCo press release

The specifications will allow merchants to accept QR code payment solutions from various providers in a standardized manner, the release said. Consumers will also benefit from a more uniform experience that offers greater convenience and familiarity.

Importantly, the EMVCo specification can coexist with proprietary QR code solutions. All EMV specifications can be obtained at the EMVCo website for royalty-free use.

"With the increasing deployment of QR code payment methods, it is important that the payments ecosystem provides a consistent experience for merchants and consumers," Cheryl Mish, EMVCo board of managers chair, said in the release. "Given the early stage of deployment of this emerging payment technology and growing adoption, now is the time to ensure the technology's potential is not constrained in the future due to interoperability issues with the established payment infrastructure."

EMVCo also is developing a self-testing framework for merchant- and consumer-presented specifications that allows point-of-interaction implementers to determine whether their QR codes are generated or interpreted in compliance with the EMV QR code specifications. This is expected to be available in early 2018, according to the release.