OAO “NIIME and Mikron”, a major Russian smart cards, RFID and industrial electronic chips manufacturer, and Federal State Enterprize Goznak have announced that domestic microchips will be used in biometric Russian travel passports will be used as of 2013. In December 2012 the first 100 000 microchips manufactured by Mikron were purchased by Goznak and currently are incorporated into travel passports with electronic data carrier.

Domestic chips have a wide range of software and hardware protection tools and have successfully passed all the tests. It has a contact-free interface and nonvolatile memory with 10 years guaranteed data sorage. Mr. Gennady Krasnikov, Mikron Board Chairman says that Russian microelectronic industry has all technology and manufacture capabilities to support key governmental projects in new generation of documents, such as travel passports with electronic data carrier, universal electronic card, RF citizen ID card, etc.

According to Mr. Arkadi Trachuk, Goznak General Director, Mikron’s chip has passed all required certifications and tests with Federal Security Bureau and relevant commissions. The share of Russian chips in travel passports is expected to essentially increase.

Mr. Konstantin Romodanovsky, Head of Federal Migration Service, says that domestic chip in travel passports guarantees safety of personal data of the citizens because the Russian manufacturer allows to control all manufacture stages and is responsible for the product quality.

Source: NIIME and Mikron website