Newland NPT Accelerates French Market Entry with GIE Cartes Bancaires Certification

Newland Payment Technology has secured FRV6.3.1 approval from France’s Groupement des Cartes Bancaires CB for its Android payment terminal portfolio. This certification is a critical milestone for fintech providers targeting the French market, as it streamlines the deployment of secure, multi-scheme smart POS systems while meeting rigorous local technical and accessibility standards.

What was announced

Newland Payment Technology (NPT) has achieved approval from Groupement des Cartes Bancaires CB (GIE CB) for the standalone payment application powering its Android terminal portfolio in France. The certification follows the FRV6.3.1 standard established by FrenchSys, the central standardisation body and subsidiary of GIE CB. This update to the FRV6 standard is designed to simplify contractual requirements for merchants operating in multi-scheme environments, covering Cartes Bancaires, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay, and Discover.

Technically, the approval incorporates the CB2A 1.6.3 communication protocol, which facilitates faster and more frictionless interactions between terminals and acquirers. Key features enabled by this certification include PIN Online for contactless payments exceeding €50, digital and optional receipt management, and auxiliary services such as pre-authorisation and quasi-cash. Furthermore, the application meets specific accessibility standards under FrenchSys Bulletin 3v2.1 to support users with disabilities, ensuring that modern Android platforms remain inclusive.

The validation process involved rigorous laboratory testing and software kernel evaluation by ELITT, a laboratory and subsidiary of CB Group. For banks, ISOs, and acquirers, this approval reduces the complexity and time-to-market for bringing new payment solutions to France. It ensures that approved devices meet the high security and interoperability requirements necessary for reliable card acceptance within the French domestic network.

"The French market is changing fast. Demand for contactless, mobile and secure multi-scheme acceptance is driving more operators toward Android-based smart POS platforms, while payment acceptance is becoming increasingly shaped by local requirements and evolving compliance demands. As a result, providers are placing growing value on technology partners that can make deployment easier, accelerate rollout and support infrastructure throughout its lifecycle."

Alan Moss, General Manager, Europe at Newland.

The companies involved

Newland Payment Technology, often referred to as Newland NPT, is a prominent global provider of payment terminals and associated technology solutions. The company has established a significant footprint in the international hardware market, focusing on the transition from traditional Linux-based terminals to modern Android smart POS systems. Newland operates across multiple regions, providing infrastructure for banks, acquirers, and independent sales organisations (ISOs) to manage digital and physical payment interactions through multimedia-enriched platforms.

Groupement des Cartes Bancaires CB (GIE CB) is the governing body for France’s domestic card payment system. As a central pillar of the French financial ecosystem, GIE CB manages the interbank infrastructure that allows for the interoperability of cards and terminals across the country. Its subsidiary, FrenchSys, acts as the standardisation body responsible for defining the technical specifications, such as the FRV6.3.1 standard, that hardware providers must meet to operate within the French market. This regulatory framework ensures that all payment devices used in France adhere to strict security protocols and can process transactions across various international and domestic schemes.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has tracked Newland’s steady expansion across the European and North American markets. Recently, the company achieved Newland Payment Technology Secures Worldpay Express Certification for Android Terminals, a move that bolstered its presence in the unattended payments sector. The firm has also focused on regional partnerships, such as when Payrexx Partners with Newland NPT to Launch Branded Payment Terminals for Swiss SMEs to support smaller merchants in Switzerland.

In terms of technical infrastructure, Newland NPT and Futurex Launch Remote Key Injection to Speed Up North American Terminal Deployments, addressing logistical challenges in terminal setup. Additionally, the company’s push into Eastern Europe was marked when Newland NPT Enters Poland with PeP Partnership to Deploy Android SmartPOS Terminals, highlighting its strategy of localising Android-based solutions for specific domestic markets.

What this means

This certification is more than a technical formality; it represents a direct challenge to incumbent hardware providers in one of Europe’s most protected and regulated payment corridors. France’s domestic scheme requirements have historically acted as a barrier to entry for global terminal manufacturers. By securing FRV6.3.1 approval, Newland is positioned to capitalise on the French market's migration toward Android-based smart POS systems. This puts pressure on traditional players to accelerate their own software cycles. The inclusion of PIN Online and accessibility features suggests that the industry is moving toward a standard where hardware must be as flexible as mobile software to remain competitive.