Regional Banknote and ID Document of the Year Awards

Belgian ePassport

The winner in this category was the new Belgian ePassport.

ID & Secure Document News has followed the development of this winning nomination since the announcement of the renewal of the ePassport contract in 2020

After the presentation on best practice given at the HSP EMEA conference in Lisbon in 2020 – just before travel restrictions started across the world –   there was some anticipation as to what would come out of the two main concepts for the new ePassport – to combine an original typically national design with enhanced security.

With the launch of the new passport and travel documents for non-nationals in February of this year the wait was over.

The use of comic strips, also known as the 9th Art, combined with the enhanced security features has resulted into what can only be described as an audacious design of a highly secure document.

The passport and the travel document share the same design and security features, so the HSP award was made to the Zetes-Thales consortium and the Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs department.

Moroccan eID Card

The quality of entries for the Best New National ID Card were sufficiently high to merit two awards being made.

The first award in this category went to IDEMIA and the General Directorate of National Security for the new Morocco national eID card, which is the foundation of thecountry’s new national digital ID platform that was launched in April of this year.

Made from polycarbonate, the eID card has a main colour portrait engraved using state-of-the art LASINK™ technology and contains a secondary 3D portrait that is easy to authenticate and has tactile relief for enhanced security. The card also includes a hologram of the map of the country which changes colour when the card is rotated at a 90° angle thanks to the use of Optical Variable Ink with dynamic colours.

Lithuanian eID Card

The quality of entries for the Best New National ID Card were sufficiently high to merit two awards being made.

The second award went to the Service of Technological Security of State Documents under the Ministry of Finance for the new Lithuanian eID card.

What made the card stand out was not only the elegant design, which combines traditional national symbols with modern security features, but also the multi-colour image of a famous historic castle when viewed under UV light.

The polycarbonate-based eID card is secured by KINEGRAM ZERO.ZERO Combi elements that provide changing colours when viewed at different angles, and varying degrees of metallization. The card also makes increased use of special embossing and engraving techniques.

Ugandan Driving License

The new system has drastically cut the waiting time for a new licence. Authentication is done using biometrics and scanning of licence numbers and renewal alerts are sent to drivers well ahead of their licence expiry date.

Estonian ePassport

HID Global and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board for the Estonian ePassport, which has successfully captured the balance between the natural and synthetic worlds that are so popular in this Baltic state.

French eID card

The judges were unable to split the entries from two contestants apart, so the award was awarded jointly to the French Ministry of the Interior and IN Groupe for the new French eID card and Bundesdruckerei together with Bundeskriminalamt for the new German eID card.

German eID card

The judges were unable to split the entries from two contestants apart, so the award was awarded jointly to the French Ministry of the Interior and IN Groupe for the new French eID card and Bundesdruckerei together with Bundeskriminalamt for the new German eID card.

Monaco Residents Permit

IN Groupe and Département de l’Intérieur for the Monaco Residents Permit, in which the deployment of colour shift to send strong authenticating signals was cited as a particular strength.

Belgium’s New National eID Card

The first award went to the Belgian National Register for the new Belgian national eID card launched in January 2020.

The card now has two chips instead of just one: a contact chip and a contactless chip. The contactless chip allows the eID to act as a travel document, with the possibility of reading it at border crossings, whilst the contact chip continues to be used for the citizen’s online interactions with, amongst others, the authorities. It also allows the possibility of adding an electronic signature. As a travel document, the eID is also fully compliant with ICAO standards.

The design of the new card has been completely revised and has new elements to combat counterfeiting and fraud. The presence of the photo combining a perforation technique on the front and laser printing on the back of the card is an innovation in the field. It is also a world first. With the main photo and the fact that it is saved on both chips of the card, this visual element is present in five different locations making it a very strong security feature.

The Belgian eID is a key document for all Belgian citizens, and its use in electronic form and via the Web is constantly increasing. In its capacity of travel document, the eID will hold the information of two fingerprints, a technique which is already widely in use and integrated in the passports.

Through its ZetesConfidens division, which holds QTSP status (Qualified Trust Service Provider), Zetes, which has been manufacturing the eID since its launch in 2003 will handle the issuing of authentication and electronic signature certifications, in accordance with European eIDAS regulations.

The award was presented to Nabil Charhia and Steven Van Essche of the Belgian National Register, and Jean-Marc Joiret of Zetes.

Latvia’s New National eID Card

Alongside Belgium, Latvia’s Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Interior was awarded for the country’s new national eID card launched in September 2019.

Designed to be futureproof the new Latvian eID card has gone far beyond in enhancing security and functionality of its predecessor.

The card’s polycarbonate body smartly combines numerous security elements while focusing on protection of the primary identifier – the bearer’s face. Portrait of the cardholder is repeated three times using three different techniques achievable with a laser.

The main photo is relying on IDEMIA’s state of the art LASINK technology, allowing to have colourful image easy to authenticate in the first line inspection. A secondary photo is embedded in lenticular structure and consists of 4 differently angled images making the face appear 3-dimentional (SLI/FLI), and a third photo is engraved into the non-regular shape clear window being visible from both sides of the card.

The LASINK technology is supported by overlapping positive surface relief structures and transparent DOVID (DID).

Electronically this dual interface multi-application card benefits from open and secure JavaCard platform (ID-One Cosmo v8) hosting several applets, including EU eMRTD app with face and fingerprint biometrics protected by BAC/SAC, PA and EAC mechanisms, as well as eID app to provide its holder eIDAS compliant qualified electronic signature creation device and key component to electronic identification scheme for accessing eServices locally and in the EU scale.

Card’s eFunctions are made available via both contact and contactless interfaces, allowing smoother integration with NFC capable smart devices and terminals. Allocated free memory space and post-issuance applet loading and management capabilities allows to extend functionality even for cards already in the field, for example, it is planned to have additional applet for managing public transportation discounts from 2021.

Since first introduction in 2012 eID card in Latvia has been well adopted reaching above 50% penetration rate, but to even more boost cards usage for eServices and eSignature, Latvian authorities have decided to make the new eID card compulsory from 2023 and equip all population with this versatile and contemporary tool of identification.

The award was presented to Eriks Vismanis of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of the Latvian Ministry of Interior, and Philippe Barreau and Sanda Ruza of IDEMIA.

Malta New ePassport

The first award went to Malta’s passport agency Identity Malta for the new Maltese ePassport.

The Maltese government has launched upgraded ePassport incorporating cutting-edge technology in November 2019. Distribution of diplomatic and alien travel documents began first and issuance of ordinary passports followed.

Although the Maltese passport is highly secure and conforms to the highest international standards, the new travel document integrates additional security features which will further prevent the counterfeiting of the document.

Amongst the features, biographic data is now laser engraved on a polycarbonate card incorporated in the new passport. Apart from this, the new travel document is printed on a highly sensitive secure paper, that includes advanced security features and techniques using UV and visible fibres, high quality cylinder mould watermarks and security thread. The passport also boasts biometric features and an embedded chip, which are used to verify the person’s identity.

The inner pages of the new document depict imagery of renowned Maltese landmarks and cultural heritage including those of the Ċittadella in Gozo and the Manoel Theatre. The intricate imagery, combined with a highly sophisticated layer of security features, is printed in secure ink that was primarily designed to secure government-issued documents.

The gradual introduction of the new passport will take place over a number of years. The new travel document will be issued on application for a new passport or upon renewal. Existing passports in circulation will remain valid until their expiry date. Upon renewal, the new passport will be issued for no additional charge.

UK’s De La Rue, which has been contracted to supply the new booklet, will continue to produce Maltese passports at its factory in Malta.

The award was presented to Anton Sevasta, Identity Malta’s CEO.

Lithuania New ePassport

The second award went to Lithuania’s Service of Technological Security of State Documents under the Ministry of Finance for the new Lithuanian ePassport.

Launched in May 2019 the upgraded ePassport incorporates a suite of modern security features some of which have been introduced in the Lithuanian passport for the first time.

The new ePassport has been developed in close cooperation with the Identity Documents Personalisation Centre under the Ministry of the Interior, Forensic Science Centre of Lithuania, Migration Department and other institutions, as well as the producer of the new document UAB “Garsų Pasaulis” and the supplier of the polycarbonate data page Gemalto.

The passport datapage has been upgraded to contain several state-of-the-art security features including Gemalto True Vision feature showing high-resolution true-colour image of Vilnius Cathedral and bell tower under UV light. The feature is located on the reverse side of the data page protecting it against slicing and grinding attacks.

The datapage also contains a transparent window which is easy to verify and provides protection against counterfeiting. With secondary image, it seals the page structure, thus making it extremely difficult to counterfeit or alter data.

The portrait is protected by overlapping DOVID made with OVD Kinegram’s ZERO.ZERO technology.

Thanks to well-balanced elegant design with combination of new and familiar elements from previous versions, the passport is still easy to verify while being extremely difficult to forge and counterfeit.

Since regaining its independence in 1990 Lithuania has introduced four generations of passports, two of which were ePassports. The document has become one of the most frequently forged state documents, prompting the government to upgrade it seven times over the course of 19 years.

The award was presented to Service of Technological Security of State Document’s Director Klemensas Rimselis and Deputy Director Leonas Stankevicius.

New Tanzanian ePassport

The first award went to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs of Tanzania for the new Tanzanian ePassport.

Tanzania has moved from an MRP booklet to a phased implementation of a complete eImmigration system in January 2018, with the first stage of the project, including the issuance of the first ePassports, being only four months from contract award to completion.

The new ePassport features a polycarbonate datapage incorporating laser engraving technology, an optically variable feature and positive and negative embossing incorporating an MLI lens. The datapage also carries an ICAO compliant secure RFID microcontroller chip and operating system with ICAO LDS 1.7 as well as BAC, EAC and the latest SAC/PACE security mechanisms, certified up to EAL6+.

The design of the booklet captures local themes and cultures across the visa pages, datapage and end papers, helping to engender a sense of national pride in the carrier.

Notable features include end papers with duplex security patterns and rainbow split duct printing, and two colour Intaglio printing incorporating a latent image and an optically variable print feature. Among the security features on the visa pages are rainbow split duct printing in both visible and invisible inks, Foredge registration feature and hidden page identifiers.

One of the benefits of the new ePassport solution is that the holder can have an emergency passport on their smartphone, if their passport is stolen or lost in another country. This passport, verifiable electronically by the embassy, allows the traveller to obtain the necessary document to return home or request a replacement passport without the need for further online checks, filling out forms or other time-consuming tasks. The mobile emergency passport has been developed using HID’s mobile goID solution. The new ePassport will, at the same time, make travel easier for the country’s citizens, through the use of automated border control stations.

The passport booklet is one component of an end to end system solution to support the enrolment, adjudication, personalisation, issuance and authentication of the ePassport, plus border control and eVisa systems.

The transformational project has been instigated by the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tanzania and delivered by HID Global, their local partner Softnet with booklet manufacture by DLRS Security Concepts (now Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts) and design by Absolute Graphics.

The award was presented to Tanzania’s Commissioner of Immigration for Passports and Citizenship Gerald Kihinga and Henry Mkuzi of HID Global.

New National eID Card

The second award went to the Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia, part of the Ministry of Interior for the new national eID card.

The new national eID cards with upgraded design and security features in December 2018. It took 18 months to prepare. Both internal and external experts were consulted when drawing up the new card’s design and choosing the security elements including the Estonian Forensic Science Institute and Enterprise Estonia.

The new cards utilise Estonia’s own font and elements of its brand, and feature a colour photo, a transparent window and an invisible secondary photograph that will only appear when viewed from an angle. One new detail is the inclusion of a QR code, which will make it easier to check the validity of the ID card.

The new eID card also integrates a new chip that allows contactless use in the future, once service providers start offering corresponding solutions – validating public transport trips for example. The new chip will retain the traditional interface and can still be used in ID card readers. The chip fits more information and is compatible with new applications, like electronic public transport tickets or other kinds of electronic certification. Giving and reading digital signatures will be possible using the traditional interface only.

Estonia is considered to have one of the most highly-developed national ID card system in the world. Much more than a legal photo ID, the mandatory national card also provides digital access to all of Estonia’s secure eServices. Nearly 5,000 separate eServices enable people to run their daily errands without having to get off their computers at home. They can enter into agreements, sign documents, submit various applications, use digital channels and means to communicate with various state authorities and service providers and so on.

The chip on the new card carries embedded files, and using 2048-bit public key encryption, it can be used as definitive proof of ID in an electronic environment. Thanks to the ID card, Estonia has one of the world’s most advanced digital signature systems. As of January this year, there are approximately 1.3 million ID cards being used in Estonia, which constitutes nearly 98% of the entire population of the country.

The award was presented to Eliisa Sau, Chief Expert of the Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia and Michal Grochowski, Area Sales Director at IDEMIA who supply the new document.

New ID Document

The final award went to Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt, the Federal Criminal Police Office and Bundesdruckerei, the country’s state printer and manufacturer of banknotes, passports and ID cards for the new EU Visa sticker project.

As part of the EU Commission Action Plan to strengthen the EU response to travel document fraud, all EU member states will be introducing the new EU Visa sticker in 2019. The project was a result of the collective work done at EU Article 6 Committee and associated subgroup with regard to the development of an improved uniform format visa.

Following a contest and the presentation from each member state and subsequent voting on points for seven different categories regarding the visa (Substrate, DOVID, Features, Personalisation etc), Germany was chosen as having the best concept and it had also won six of the seven categories outright.

It was decided by the member states not just to write the technical specification but also to improve the quality of the Visa Stickers and limit variation by running a Development Project to produce a Zero Series/Pilot Project – which would then be used as the baseline for the member states and the producers to adhere to. The project, funded by the EU, was awarded to and run by the Bundeskriminalamt and the Bundesdruckerei together.

The development project lasted about 11 months and was finished within time and on budget with a successful outcome and the issuance of a “Best Practice” Visa Kit and Technical Specification for 31 EU member and associate States. The Visa Kit and Technical Specification would then also be used as Best Practice for the basis of the subsequent eResidence Permit Card Project.

The Visa development project involved the integration of some additional ideas of the other member states as well, in order to create a project involving all concerned – which created team spirit. Suggestions came from a number of countries including Italy, Hungary and the UK. The approval at the production stage also involved an invitation for the subgroup to come to Berlin to sign off the progress.

This collaboration increased the level of the security features, the security concept specification, the design and quality of the document. The new sticker integrates improved chemical sensitisers, high level security background design, completely re-designed DOVID with improved features, improved intaglio inks and latent images, rip cuts and advanced UV elements. The sticker also has a “quiet zone” reserved for a 2D barcode in order to upgrade and secure the personalisation of the sticker, which is seen as a good next step to incorporate digital security into the security document world.

The project is a good example of the concept of Europe working together on an issue which concerns all Member States driving through the necessary factors for the good of all whilst taking into account the compromises needed and involved in successful partnerships.
The award was presented to Dr. Anna Wandschneider of Bundeskriminalamt, Duncan Faulkner of Bundesdruckerei and Francis Deschrijvere of the European Commission.

New Kuwait ePassport

The new Kuwait ePassport system was a comprehensive overhaul of the existing ecosystem, comprising not only a new design and booklet but also production processes, updating service centres and new systems. The new booklet features over 52 new security features and a new design reflecting the cultural identity of Kuwait. The improved process has led to an uplift in the maximum number of passports which can be produced, taking it from 1500 passports per day to 7000 passports per day, while bearing down on resource-intensive activities and bringing the issuance cycle down from five days to one.

The biometric data encoded in the ePassport can now be collected by mobile enrollment units, and there is also an emergency system which enables standalone deployment of the issuance system allowing full personalisation of ePassports independent of external systems.

Jordan’s New eID Card

Jordan’s Ministry of Interior has rolled out an ambitious new citizen ID programme offering a range of innovative services that will transform the way the public interacts with the state. The new programme has been implemented in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT).

The new card uses Gemalto’s Sealys polycarbonate contactless eID card technology along with a comprehensive suite of Coesys enrollment, card personalisation and issuance solutions as well as automatic fingerprint identification system (AFIS) to reinforce national security, strengthen immigration controls and minimise the risk of fraud in the next elections. OFFTEC has provided IT infrastructure, networking and IT security, system integration, card printers, training and technical support services.

The enrolment system is deployed in 100 civil status and passport offices, enabling MOI staff to capture the personal and biometric data of citizens for duplication-free entry onto the National Registry. The system also enables personalisation and issuance of the cards at 25 dedicated centres. The citizen’s details are laser-engraved in the card and stored within its embedded microprocessor for enhanced validation of the holder’s identity.

The new eIDs combine state-of-the-art digital and graphical security features and offer the Government of Jordan the ability to seamlessly add new card applications after issuance. As a result, it can leverage on the initial investment and develop new secure eGovernment services and applications that improve service standards and reduce administrative costs.

New Finnish eID and ePassport

Through 2017 new eID cards and ePassports marking the 100th anniversary of Finland’s independence have started to roll out.

Finland became an independent state in 1917 and over the course of the last century, its citizens have demonstrated courage and determination necessary to forge one of the most democratic and progressive nations. It is no surprise therefore, that creative skills and inspiration can be found in abundance in the design of the new ePassport and eID cards that were launched to coincide with Finland’s centennial.

Developed in cooperation with Gemalto’s security design team, each double page inside the passport shows different scenery from the north, with the Northern Lights and snowflakes appearing in the visible printwork and under UV. Elements characterising Finland also include the whooper swan, (the national bird of Finland), Finland’s coat of arms, a poem by Finnish poet Eino Leino and a lakeside landscape on the inner cover page of the passport.

The new passport incorporates a range of innovative security features. The user’s photograph is replicated five times within the document, using various techniques such as the Gemalto’s Sealys Window Lock where a negative ghost image is laser personalised into a metallic foil hidden in a transparent window. The holder’s personal information is also laser engraved on the edge of the polycarbonate page. The moiré effect printing technique, which creates the effect of a 3D image on a flat page, is also incorporated.

Applications for the new ePassport can be filed online, with applicants confirming their identity via national ID cards or BankID and uploading their digital photo directly from the photo studio to the online police application.

The overall design for the new biometric passport and national ID card was chosen on the basis of public consultation, combined with the close co-operation with Gemalto. With the new documents Finland has raised the bar on the level of protection provided for a centennial state and its forward-thinking citizens.

DNI Electrónico 3.0

The first award went to the Spanish National Police Corps, in conjunction with the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT-RCM), for the latest version of Spain’s national ID system.

The card, known as DNI Electrónico 3.0, features a new operating system, and is the first national identity document developed on a dual interface chip. This allows for an electronic signature to be taken both in a contact-based and contactless mode. It also combines a national ID document with a travel document that can be used within the EU using a single chip.

With NFC connectivity, the public will be able to use their ID card to sign documents using a smartphone or tablet, by linking to an online platform using different e-government applications. This enables contact with police, town hall and social security authorities as well as the ability to manage traffic tickets and pay taxes. Authorities can also use the cards to verify citizens’ identities by using its NFC features with mobile devices.

The award was received by the Spanish National Police Corps and the FNMT.

Irish Passport Card

The second award was presented to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland for Ireland’s credit-card sized passport card, which enables holders to travel across Europe without needing their traditional passport.

Citizens are able to apply for the card online or through a smartphone app, which allows the applicant to take a ‘selfie’ as a passport picture. The facial image taken is matched using biometric tools against existing records, although users can also scan normal passport photographs. Once all verification checks have been achieved, the user can pay their fees through a secure payment gateway.

Security features on the passport card include the holder’s signature, a Kinegram overlay featuring a 12 string harp, a machine readable zone and faded printing around the edge of the photograph. One innovative feature is the embedded hologram photo on a strip on the reverse of the card.

The Irish security printer DLRS was the lead company in the design and production of these cards, partnering with HID Global Ireland and Absolute Graphics. It was also the producer of Ireland’s new e-passport, which was introduced in 2013.

On receiving the award, Austin Gormley of Passport Services, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland said ‘we are delighted to receive this prestigious international award, which recognises the quality and innovation of the card, and the benefit it delivers. It is also a tribute to the technical capabilities within Ireland’.

Romania’s Identity Card

The Regional ID Document of The Year aims to promote the best in security printing, system infrastructure and implementation of a government passport, identity or other security card scheme.

Romania’s new identity card is the first time the national identity document has been redesigned since its introduction in the early 1990s – and the first time it has seen a major upgrade, which includes the addition of electronic functions

To implement the new card required extensive upgrades of the National IT System for Personal Records (NITSPR), which forms the basis of the National Registry of Personal Records used to issue identity cards and manage personal data.

The new national identity card has been designed to ensure ease of authentication, and international recognition and interoperability. One version of the new card stores biometric data and fingerprints. The new document is produced by welding together a number of layers of polycarbonate and is personalised by laser engraving – and is enhanced with a suite of security features, both physical and electronic.

The card also replaces current health cards and has the potential to be used for a range of services, including education, voting and legal assistance.

The award was accepted by Sergiu Mocanu of the Ministry of Interior and Public Administration, Romania.

The award judges comprised the Board of Directors of Reconnaissance International, the conference organiser, publisher of ID & Secure Document News and joint publisher of Currency News. Nominations were sought from the high security printing community and, for future awards, this community will be invited to take part in the process of shortlisting winners as well.

Irish E-Passport

The Regional ID Document of The Year aims to promote the best in security printing, system infrastructure and implementation of a government passport, identity or other security card scheme.

The new Irish e-passport is both more attractive and secure than its predecessor and combines the latest security technology with selected imagery that represents the culture, history and people of Ireland.

Prime for both security and Irish culture is the image of the Brú na Bóinne stone printed using SPARK® colour shifting ink technology. Another feature involves images situated on the edge of each pair of pages – when the pages are partially bent for the edges to be side by side, the two images form a complete image. The new passport also features poems from three of Ireland’s’ best-known poets – Nuala ní Dhomhnaill, William Butler Yeats, and James Orr.

The contract to design and produce the new passports was awarded to a consortium led by the Irish security printer DLRS, HID and the Central Bank of Ireland – and the cost of the new passports is nearly half that of their predecessors, which will result in annual savings of around €4m.

The award was accepted by Fiona Penollar of the Irish Passport Office as well as Joseph Callaghan and William Byrne of DLRS.