Could Biometrics Become Mandatory for EU Citizen ID Cards?

In recent years, common EU security standards have been introduced for ID and travel credentials such as passports and residency permits. Under current regulations, there is a wide range of security standards for national ID cards and resident documents for EU citizens, making them somewhat susceptible to fraud.

The introduction of new security standards, if the agreement is ratified by EU ambassadors, will state that identity cards must be produced:

• In a uniform, credit card format (ID-1)
• With an included machine-readable zone
• Following at least the minimum security standards as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• Including a photograph and two fingerprints for biometrics
• With storage in a digital format on a contactless Integrated Circuit (IC)

Current plans have these new formats operating under a minimum validity of 5 years and maximum of 10, with flexibility for cards issued to citizens aged younger than 5 and older than 70.

Also, with the recent introduction of eIDAS regulations, there has…