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Can you summarize Consolidated text: EC 2004/2252?
European Union - Consolidated Texts - Regulations > Consolidated text: Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 of 13 December 2004 on standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States (26/06/2009)
Short Summary
Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 sets out the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States of the European Union. The regulation applies to passports and travel documents issued by Member States and requires compliance with minimum security standards. It mandates the use of individual documents with a highly secure storage medium containing a facial image. Additionally, Member States must include two fingerprints taken flat in interoperable formats, with exemptions for children under 12 and individuals for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible. The regulation does not apply to identity cards issued by Member States to their nationals or to temporary passports and travel documents with a validity of 12 months or less. The biometric identifiers must be taken by qualified and authorized staff of the national authorities responsible for issuing passports and travel documents. Member States must collect biometric identifiers in accordance with the safeguards laid down in the Council of Europe’s Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The regulation also establishes additional technical specifications for passports and travel documents, including enhanced security features, requirements for the storage medium of biometric features, and quality and technical standards for the facial image and fingerprints. The regulation does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. The Commission is required to submit a report by 26 June 2012, based on a study evaluating the reliability and technical feasibility of using fingerprints of children under 12 for identification and verification purposes. The report may include proposals to adapt the regulation if necessary. The regulation entered into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States are required to apply the regulation within specific timeframes for the facial image and fingerprints, but the validity of already issued passports and travel documents is not affected.
Whom does it apply to?
Member States of the European Union
What does it govern?
Standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States
What are exemptions?
Exemptions for children under the age of 12 years and persons where fingerprinting is physically impossible. The regulation does not apply to identity cards issued by Member States to their nationals or to temporary passports and travel documents with a validity of 12 months or less.
What are the Penalties?
No specific penalties are mentioned in these documents.
Jurisdiction
European Union