Effective August 1, 2025, all wireless devices processing monetary or virtual currency value (e.g., POS machines, cryptocurrency wallets, payment-enabled wearables) must obtain mandatory EN 18031-3 certification to enter the EU market.
For enterprises targeting the EU market with financial wireless devices, EN 18031-3 is no longer an "optional certification" but a mandatory threshold. Unlike general security certifications focusing on universal protection, it specifically safeguards devices "processing monetary or virtual currency value," building a barrier against fraud, tampering, and fund theft.
EN 18031-3 is technically specified to fulfill the "anti-fraud protection" requirement under Article 3(3)(f) of the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED 2014/53/EU). Its mandatory force directly derives from EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30, and it was officially listed as a harmonized standard in the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU C 2025/12) on January 30, 2025 (per the harmonized standard adoption list in OJEU C 2025/12). This means compliance with the standard creates a legal "presumption of conformity" with RED’s anti-fraud requirements—offering the only authoritative pathway for financial devices to enter the 30 EU member states.
Unlike EN 18031-1 (general cybersecurity) and EN 18031-2 (privacy protection), it focuses entirely on "fund security"—not concerned with preventing network paralysis from hacks, but with ensuring transaction data integrity, private key protection, and payment instruction security to avoid direct financial losses. For enterprises, certification not only grants market access but also builds irreplaceable brand trust amid European consumers’ growing focus on financial security.
II. Wireless Devices Requiring Mandatory EN 18031-3 Certification
Two hard criteria determine EN 18031-3 applicability: possession of wireless communication functionality (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/4G/5G, etc.) and processing of monetary or virtual currency value (storage, transmission, transactions). 2025’s latest notified body guidelines detail applicable devices, avoiding vague categorizations common online:
1. Traditional Financial Terminals (Core Coverage)
Wireless-enabled POS machines (handheld/smart/mobile-connected) require certification to prevent transaction data tampering during transmission and unauthorized payment activation. Wireless ATM machines and self-checkout systems are also included, focusing on preventing firmware tampering for skimming and cash withdrawal hijacking. Bank self-service transfer terminals must ensure tamper-proof transaction logs and secure user authentication.
2. Cryptocurrency-Related Devices (2025 Focus)
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi-enabled cryptocurrency hardware wallets/cold wallets require certification to protect private keys and prevent transaction instruction forgery. Specialized POS terminals for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other virtual currency transfers must support transaction traceability and double-spending prevention. Even wireless-enabled mining devices supporting coin transfers require certification to prevent illegal diversion of mining proceeds.
3. Other Wireless Devices Involving Monetary Value
Payment-enabled wearables (NFC-equipped smart watches/bands) must prevent payment instruction hijacking and biometric authorization abuse. Wireless recharge terminals for transit cards and game/virtual currency must avoid recharge amount tampering and account balance anomalies.
Explicitly Exempt Devices:
Pure mechanical POS machines (no electronic connectivity) and account inquiry terminals (no transaction execution) are directly exempt. Medical devices (under MDR) and aerospace equipment require prior submission of alternative compliance plans to the European Commission for exemption approval (per Article 8 of EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30).
III. Core Mandatory Requirements for EN 18031-3 Certification
EN 18031-3 requirements undergo "firmware testing + physical inspection + documentation review"—three verification layers. Three new requirements in the 2025 A1 revision are frequent compliance pain points, resulting in immediate rejection if unmet (per SGS 2025 EN 18031-3 audit priorities):
Core Mandatory Requirement 1: Physical Tamper Resistance & Data Destruction (Zero Tolerance)
Devices must integrate anti-tamper sensors (e.g., conductive glue, microswitches). Unauthorized disassembly (e.g., case opening, chip short-circuiting) must trigger irreversible sensitive data destruction (private keys, transaction records) within 10 seconds. Critical chips (e.g., Secure Elements (SE), encryption chips) require potting to prevent physical data extraction. A 2025 smart POS manufacturer failed certification due to lacking anti-tamper design, requiring 3 weeks of hardware rectification.
Core Mandatory Requirement 2: Dual Transaction Data Verification (Zero Tolerance)
All transaction instructions (amount, account, timestamp) require "digital signature + timestamp" dual protection, with integrity verification completed within 50 milliseconds—transactions with tampering traces must be immediately terminated. Transmission must use TLS 1.3 or IPsec; weak protocols (HTTP, TLS 1.0/1.1) are prohibited. Encryption keys must be rotated every 90 days. An enterprise failed initial testing for using TLS 1.2, requiring 2 weeks of protocol upgrades.
Core Mandatory Requirement 3: Multi-Factor Authentication & Permission Isolation (Zero Tolerance)
Transactions (especially high-value) require triple authentication ("password + biometrics + dynamic token")—single-password authorization is prohibited. Administrator privileges (e.g., transaction limit modification, firmware updates) require additional hardware key verification (e.g., USB Key); remote administrator access is strictly forbidden. A 2025 cryptocurrency wallet manufacturer required 2 weeks of module rework for only supporting dual-factor authentication.
Additional mandatory requirements include:
·Secure update mechanisms: Firmware updates require "digital signature + access control + timestamp" triple protection. High-risk vulnerabilities demand 48-hour response and 7-day patch deployment, with 2-year minimum security support commitments.
·Third-party component management: Suppliers must provide EN 18031-3 compliance statements for all components (payment SDKs, encryption libraries, wireless modules). Quarterly vulnerability scans are required, with records retained for audits.
IV. Rapid 2025 EN 18031-3 Certification Success
To meet the mandatory deadline, enterprises should follow this efficient three-step approach:
Step 1: Rapid Product Screening & Priority Locking
Inventory all wireless devices to identify those processing monetary/virtual currency value. Prioritize high-risk products (e.g., cryptocurrency wallets, POS machines)—2025 notified body backlogs reach 2-3 months, with factory audits for high-risk devices requiring additional lead time.
Step 2: Targeted Rectification & Critical Focus
High-risk devices: First implement physical anti-tamper design (sensor installation, chip potting); then enhance transaction encryption (TLS 1.3 upgrade) and triple authentication; finally collect third-party compliance statements and complete vulnerability scans. Medium-risk devices (e.g., payment wearables) prioritize transaction security and permission isolation, with supplementary anti-tamper design.
Step 3: Early Documentation Preparation & Avoid Rejections
Core documents include: Security Design Specification (detailing anti-fraud mechanisms), Threat Modeling Report (covering transaction hijacking, data tampering), third-party compliance statements, and transaction log samples. Documentation must align with actual device performance (e.g., AES-256 encryption claimed in documents must match testing).
For content creators, focusing on enterprise priorities—"which devices require certification, what are the hard thresholds, and how to avoid pitfalls"—delivers content aligned with Baidu’s algorithm and user sharing preferences. For enterprises, early rectification and certification not only ensure EU market access but also build competitive advantages in financial security. For professional certification consulting, contact BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140.
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