Opinion on implementing the 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

THE WORKING PARTY ON THE PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH REGARD TO THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA set up under Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 [1] ,

Having regard to Article 29, Article 30(1)(c) and Article 30(3) of the above Directive,

Having regard to its rules of procedure, and in particular Articles 12 and 14 thereof,

HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION:

1. Introduction

1.1. General issue

In its «Working document on biometrics» [2]the Working Party stressed that «the rapid progress of biometric technologies and their expanded application in recent years necessitates careful scrutiny from a data protection perspective. A wide and uncontrolled utilisation of biometrics raises concerns with regard to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals. This kind of data is of a special nature, as it relates to the behavioural and physiological characteristics of an individual and may allow his or her unique identification.» Since these fundamental comments on biometrics the legislative developments have proceeded rapidly. The European Council of Thessaloniki, on 19 and 20 June 2003, confirmed that a coherent approach is needed in the European Union on biometric identifiers or biometric data for documents for third country nationals, European Union citizens’ passports and information systems (VIS and SIS II). In autumn 2003 the European Commission submitted a draft Council Regulation amending Regulations 1683/95 and 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for visas and for residence permits for third country nationals respectively.

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