The Regula Document Reader SDK‘s latest update is set to offer 100% support for the new ISO/IEC 39794-5 standard as it regulates the methods of facial data storage and verification in e-passport chips, the company notes.

According to the ICAO guidelines, all document readers and verification systems must be compatible with the new standard by 2026 with passport issuers required to fully adopt the new format by 2030.  

The ISO/IEC 39794-5 standard introduces an enhanced framework for facial image data, significantly improving interoperability, processing speed and recognition accuracy across different identity verification (IDV) systems worldwide.

The new format records additional metadata, including detailed facial landmarks, precise eye and hair color, and other biometric attributes.

Importance

The set of pre-stored reference points eliminates the need for separate face detection and feature extraction during verification.

Instead of calculating key facial points from scratch, IDV systems can use the pre-recorded metadata.

The company notes that by using pre-recorded meta-data, it will accelerate processing times and ensure consistent, high-quality recognition results.

This standardization guarantees that a person’s face in their passport will be consistently and accurately verified across different countries, improving global interoperability.

The ISO/IEC 39794-5 standard also implements a flexible framework for future extensions.

This means that as new attributes or enhancements are introduced in the future, systems supporting this standard will remain fully functional without requiring urgent updates.

Transition

Although the current ISO/IEC 19794-5:2005 will remain valid, the industry has started the transition period and businesses worldwide should be ready to process the new format data before 2026.

Regula’s expertise in secure RFID chip reading and data verification ensured smooth adaptation to the new standard, the company states.

The company’s participation in the recent testing event in Australia demonstrated its ability to correctly extract, interpret and verify biometric facial data encoded according to ISO/IEC 39794-5.

The new standard will require organizations from banks to border control to update their passport readers with software that fits this standard.

Regula’s IDV software is compatible with most document readers on the market and can be easily used with any device model.

This implies that business can comply to the new standard without replacing existing hardware, allowing for a cost-effective and hassle-free upgrade.

“A major step forward”

Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer, Regula commented: “The shift to ISO/IEC 39794-5 is a major step forward in improving compatibility and efficiency in biometric verification.

“With more detailed metadata now embedded in e-passports, identity verification systems can achieve faster processing and more accurate recognition results.

“Our expertise in RFID chip processing ensures that Regula’s technology is already fully equipped to support this transition, providing organizations with seamless, future-proof solutions that help them stay in line with regulatory changes,” Kliashchou concluded.