INTRODUCTION
A CQM is part of the MasterCard Card Approval Process.
A MasterCard « Letter of Approval » is issued to a chip card or device vendor for each chip card or device that has successfully completed all of the following :
- Interface and Application Testing (IAT)
- Compliance Assessment and Security Testing (CAST)
- Card Quality Management (CQM).
MasterCard Worlwide has decided (from August, 17, 2009) to outsource Card Quality Management operations to our company. Starting from this date, Smart Consulting has become the primary contact for all vendors wishing to go through the CQM procedures.
The scope of CQM is to cover different types of suppliers :
- Cards vendors
- Components suppliers of the cards vendors
- Personalization bureaus.
The requirements are based on :
- Product quality requirements (modular organization) :
- Physical Characteristics: Size, Shape, Surface, Chemical, Magnetic, Electrical, Electromagnetic
- Temporal: Mechanical, Electrical, Magnetic, Ageing
- Functional: Electric, Electromagnetic, Magnetic, Terminal interface
- Appearance Layout, Design, Brand, Color
- Ergonomics Toxicity
- Security U.V.
- Miscellaneous Manufacturing process stability
- Quality Assurance requirements.
The methodology is based on self-assessment controlled by quality on-site audits and action plan follow-up
DOCUMENTATION

CQM Overview Avril 2023
Gives an overview of the CQM Process.
CQM Vendor Certification Process Avril 2023
Describes the detailed CQM Process.
CQM Assessment Plan V2.22 Feb. 2023
CQM conformity questionnaire to prepare before the audit.
New version mandatory as of July 1st 2023.
CQM Assessment Plan V2.19.1
CQM conformity questionnaire to prepare before the audit.
This version will be obsolete on July 1st 2023.
CQM Requirements Dec. 2022 V2.22
CQM requirements specification.
New version mandatory as of July 1st 2023.
CQM Requirements V2.19.1
CQM requirements specification.
This version will be obsolete on July 1st 2023.
CQM registration Feb. 2023
Please fill in and send to the 2 tabs of this registration form when starting the CQM process or to notify changes.
Non Disclosure Agreement for CQM
A digitally copy shall be sent to cqm@smart-consulting.com. See the CQM process for details.