UK Finance Has Launched a New Accessible Cards Code of Practice
Kalin Ned — April 3, 2026 — Social Good
References: credit-connect
UK Finance's Accessible Cards Code of Practice establishes the world's first national common accessibility guidelines for flat printed payment cards. This document was developed in collaboration with the Royal National Institute of Blind People, the British Dyslexia Association, and industry partners including Mastercard, Visa, and Idemia.
The Accessible Cards Code of Practice guidelines introduce physical notches or indents that allow customers to identify card type by touch alone — a round notch for debit cards, a square notch for credit cards, and a triangular notch for prepaid or savings cards. These tactile elements are enhanced by standards for colour contrast and the legibility of printed words and numbers.
While the Code is voluntary, at least ten participating firms — which represent 80% of the card issuing market — have committed to using it, with cards expected to roll out by the first half of the following year.
Image Credit: UK Finance
The Accessible Cards Code of Practice guidelines introduce physical notches or indents that allow customers to identify card type by touch alone — a round notch for debit cards, a square notch for credit cards, and a triangular notch for prepaid or savings cards. These tactile elements are enhanced by standards for colour contrast and the legibility of printed words and numbers.
While the Code is voluntary, at least ten participating firms — which represent 80% of the card issuing market — have committed to using it, with cards expected to roll out by the first half of the following year.
Image Credit: UK Finance
Trend Themes
1. Tactile Card Design - New tactile features such as notches create opportunities for alternative physical authentication methods and differentiation in low-tech payment interfaces.
2. Inclusive Payment Standards - Standardized guidelines for contrast and legibility enable development of universally compatible card production processes and compliance tools.
3. Voluntary Industry Adoption - Broad commitment by major issuers to a non-mandatory code signals a market-driven pathway for accessibility-driven product lines and certification services.
Industry Implications
1. Card Manufacturing - Evolving physical card specifications present demand for specialized embossing, tooling, and materials that integrate tactile and high-contrast printing at scale.
2. Payment Network Providers - Networks and scheme partners can incorporate accessibility metadata and routing considerations that distinguish accessible product offerings across ecosystems.
3. Assistive Technology Services - Assistive tech vendors stand to expand into card-recognition solutions and multimodal interfaces that complement tactile cues for visually impaired users.
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