The new French National Identity Card is awarded the prize for the best identity card by a jury of independent experts
The new French electronic National Identity Card (eID) has been awarded the prestigious Best New National ID Card prize by Reconnaissance International at the HSP Awards EMEA (High Security Printing EMEA for Europe - Africa - Middle East). The award recognizes the work of the French Ministry of the Interior, ANTS (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés, in charge of issuing the document) and IN Groupe in the design and production of the new French eID. Awarded by a jury of independent international experts, it rewards the best project in the areas of security enhancement, system infrastructure or implementation of a government passport, ID card or other security card.
A modern identity document, at the cutting edge of technology
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council on strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens, France has deployed since June 2021, a new identity card that is more secure, convenient and innovative. This card can be used to prove one’s identity and serves as a travel document in the European Union. To date, more than 2 million new eID(s) have been issued. citizens in town halls
Designed to meet the everyday needs of French citizens, this next-generation polycarbonate card can be used for up to 10 years without any loss of readability. It incorporates both tried and tested security features and innovations whose security design has been validated by the experts of the Ministry of the Interior.
The card incorporates new security features: the Diffractive Optically Variable Image Device (DOVID) is a new-generation holographic device, the secure background extends into the transparent border of the card, a Visible Digital Seal allows the card to be digitally signed and ensures the integrity and origin of the credentials should it be impossible to access the data on the chip.
Finally, the highly secured chip contains the information engraved on the card in alphanumeric characters, the cardholder's fingerprints, and high-definition photograph. Its module is engraved with the Marianne and three RFs. The chip complies with ICAO standards and allows French citizens to have an eID recognized as an electronic travel document to cross the Schengen area borders.
An innovative card, the result of a long-standing consultation
The new eID was directed by the Ministry of the Interior with ANTS and the industrial and technological support of IN Groupe. It is the result of a close consultation with the Ministry of the Interior's Department of Public Liberties and Legal Affairs, experts in the fight against document fraud from the National Police and the Gendarmerie, ANTS, prefectures, and mayors via the Association of French Mayors. The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Interministerial Digital Department also participated in the steering committee that monitored this extensive project, from the drafting of the specifications to the final stages of production and deployment.
IN Groupe acted within the framework of a large-scale industrial and technological project: implementation of dedicated manufacturing and personalization lines, cybersecurity of personalization platforms, implementation of new IT systems to manage the life cycle of the card’s chip. The industrial equipment has been sized to process up to 10 million cards per year.
IN Groupe, an industrial operator at the service of the State
In the French National Identity Card program, IN Groupe acts as a solutions integrator, relying on the contribution of some twenty different companies that bring their expertise. IN Groupe qualifies, tests and selects, according to the ANTS specifications and the expected security targets, the best technologies, components and IT systems that the French government needs to build the most secure document possible.
IN Groupe is a public limited company, guaranteeing France sovereignty to issue its legal identity documents. IN Groupe provides the French government with an industrial operator that keeps the identity technologies and technological patents in France.
At the heart of IN Groupe's raison d’être, identity is an essential element of sovereignty, since identity is at the very heart of the intimacy that each citizen has with the State. The legal identity issued by the state remains the reference identity among all others both in the physical and digital worlds.
