All EBC pads are now "chamfered" (the step you describe), the reason for this is reduce the chances of any noise, you will not lose any braking efficiency at all.

They also are all now slotted (slot down centre of pad) and shimmed (metal - rubber shim on backing plate).

All of this adds up to a totally silent pad.

They also now have a bedding compound on the face (red coating) to condition your discs on first few applications of the brake pedal.

If these pads have "E388" marked on the back of the pad. This is the new "Ceramic" redstuff material. I had this on my cossie and is a brilliant material

EBC have recently introduced many new materials (all manufactured in UK) which are far superior to previous materials.