Germany’s federal civil servants are to receive special ‘smart’ cards for access control, work time recording and a range of other functions.

A regulation which came into force on 15 April 2008 clears the way for the introduction of electronic IDs throughout the federal administration. They will replace the paper IDs currently used, which have remained unchanged for the past 30 years. The new cards, which contain chips, will be more difficult to forge. In addition to access control, they will perform a number of internal and cross-cutting functions for which there has so far been no single standardised medium used throughout the federal administration. These facilities will include electronic signatures and the recording of work times.

Germany’s Bundesdruckerei, which also produces passports and other ID, developed the new card in co-operation with the Federal Criminal Office (BKA) and the Federal Office for IT Security (BSI). The cards will be made of polycarbonate and the personal details will be engraved on them by laser. Security features will include guilloche patterns (geometric spirals), microinscription and copy-proof inks.

The storage of data on the chip will be up to each individual authority, which will decide which card functions are actually used and how they are built into the existing infrastructure. The bearer’s authorisation will be needed in order to read off personal data that are “particularly worthy of protection”.

Further information:

• German Federal Ministry of the Interior – Press release (in German)