The new standard advances how facial biometric data is stored and processed in e-passport chips, introducing enhanced features for improved global interoperability and verification accuracy.
The ISO/IEC 39794-5 standard includes several key improvements. It provides an enhanced facial image data framework for better cross-system compatibility and adds metadata including facial landmarks and specific biometric attributes. The standard enables faster processing through pre-stored reference points, ensures consistent verification capabilities across international borders, and offers a flexible framework that accommodates future extensions without major system updates.
“The shift to ISO/IEC 39794-5 is a major step forward in improving compatibility and efficiency in biometric verification,” explained Ihar Kliashchou, Regula’s Chief Technology Officer. “With more detailed metadata now embedded in e-passports, identity verification systems can achieve faster processing and more accurate recognition results.”
The implementation timeline requires all document readers and verification systems to be compatible with the new standard by 2026, while passport issuers must fully transition to the new format by 2030.
Regula’s early adoption of the standard extends the company’s work with RFID chip processing. The company has successfully tested its ability to extract, interpret, and verify biometric facial data encoded according to the new standard. The firm’s IDV software remains compatible with existing document reader hardware, easing the transition for organizations using their technology.
The development reflects broader trends in the biometric passport landscape, including recent announcements of new biometric passport initiatives in West Africa and ongoing discussions about facial recognition regulations in the US and EU.
–
February 18, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
