1.In order to guarantee an equivalent security level, the laissez-passer shall comply with the minimum security standards provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 and in Commission Decision C(2005) 409 of 28 February 2005 establishing the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States, Commission Decision C(2006) 2909 of 28 June 2006 establishing the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States, Commission Decision C(2008) 8657 of 22 December 2008 laying down a certificate policy as required in the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States and updating the normative reference documents, Commission Decision C(2009) 7476 of 5 October 2009 amending Commission Decision (C(2008) 8657 final) laying down a certificate policy as required in the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States, Commission Decision C(2011) 5499 of 4 August 2011 amending Commission Decision C(2006) 2909 final laying down the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States and Commission Implementing Decision C(2013) 6181 of 30 September 2013 amending Commission Decision C(2006) 2909 final laying down the technical specifications on the standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States.
2.In order to ensure, where appropriate, compliance of the laissez-passer with future minimum security standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004, the Commission shall establish, by means of implementing acts, additional technical specifications in accordance with international standards, including in particular the standards and recommended practices of ICAO for laissez-passer, relating to the following:
(a)additional security features and requirements, including enhanced anti-forgery, counterfeiting and falsification standards;
(b)technical specifications for the storage medium of the biometric features and their security, including prevention of unauthorised access and facilitated validation;
(c)requirements for quality and common technical standards for the facial image and the fingerprints.
Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 7(2).
3.In accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 7(2), it may be decided that the specifications referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be secret and not be published. In that case, they shall be made available only to the single entity designated by the Commission in accordance with Article 2(3) and on the condition that this single entity shall guarantee an adequate level of protection.
4.The Commission shall establish, by means of implementing acts, rules for institutions in cases of loss, theft, issuance of duplicates and returns of laissez-passer. Those implementing acts shall apply to all laissez passer. They shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 7(2).