ID systems

Documents

Advanced ID documents from Bundesdruckerei
Without high-security ID documents, everyday life within modern information societies would almost be inconceivable. National ID documents that confirm the unique identity of an individual, such as electronic passports (or in short ePassports), ID cards, driving licences or modern visa documents, grant citizens the freedom to move and act in their own country and within international communities. This requires that document holders must be able to rely on the authenticity and anti-forge properties of their ID documents and that these documents are accepted as reliable proof of identity in all of the world's nations.

For many years now, Bundesdruckerei has been the world's leading producer of ID documents that are heavily protected against forgery or manipulation and lastingly hinder and/or rule out misuse. Backed by one of the most advanced production facilities world-wide and the expertise of seasoned production specialists, we can offer our customers a complex blend of printing, electronic and biometric methods for the manufacture of ID documents. When necessary, we can advise our national and international partners on the design and layout of new ID documents which must be adapted to the cultural and historical background of the respective country and/or the design of existing document families.

As the general contractor for the introduction of the biometric-based ePassport in Germany, Bundesdruckerei was able to demonstrate its excellence as a competent systems supplier in the establishment and implementation of state-of-the-art eDocument infrastructures. Phase 1 of the introduction of the new travel document featuring an integrated chip was smoothly implemented by Bundesdruckerei on 1 November 2005. In addition to the personalisation and production of the electronic ID documents, the company also built up the entire technical infrastructure in Germany for the application for and the verification of the new documents. Since 1 November 2007, the German ePassports do not only contain the personal data and the digitised facial image, but also the electronically processed information of the holder's two fingerprints which is protected against unauthorised access by the Extended Access Control (EAC) mechanism. Bundesdruckerei was the first company world-wide to use this new security standard and to implement it in the security chain - from the application procedure, personalisation and production right through to the devices needed for reading electronic passports. This marked a new security level in international travel.

More and more electronic ID documents are issued throughout the world. Germany plans to issue a multifunctional ID card with integrated chip in 2009 which is to replace the classical ID card. Europe is currently discussing to introduce the European Citizen Card. These future-orientated ID documents shall also enhance the identity and transaction security in electronic communication processes in the long term. With state-of-the-art eID strategies which can be used, for example, for the German electronic ID card, Bundesdruckerei provides the ultimate in ID protection and offers new possibilites for globally secure communications.

For more details of the solutions and products offered by Bundesdruckerei in the field of ID documents, please refer to the navigation areas for the different topics and to the dedicated product and service brochures.