Not "required", just that after Oct 2015 the merchants will become liable for fraud (instead of the banks), if they are not equipped for Chip and PIN (apparently "pay at the pump gas stations" get an extended date of Oct 2017 instead).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMV#United_States

I believe it is Chip and signature that will be required, not PIN.

Canada already has chips on all our CCs - only ever place I ever need to sign a receipt is down here in the US. Chip and PIN not Chip and signature.

Parent was talking about US though, which is what I commented on. From what I have read[1], the US seems to be going mostly chip and signature for some weird reason. Anecdotally, Amex[2] only offers chip and signature cards to US customers -- no support yet for chip and pin.

[1]: http://www.quora.com/Why-is-the-USA-adopting-chip-signature-...

[2]: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/chip/signature.ht...

Not quite. If I understand correctly, as of that date Chip and PIN will be encouraged, by charging higher fees to merchants when they fail to do a chip and PIN transaction.

No just higher fees but the merchant becomes liable for fraudulent transactions processed without chip and pin.

Whereas before the big card brands would cover more the risk and fees.