06/06/2019 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 6 June, the EU Council formally approved the new security rules for future identity cards issued in the EU, as well as for non-EU family members' residence cards. The new identity cards will have to be produced in a uniform credit card format, include a machine-readable area and comply with the minimum security standards established by the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). They must also include a photo and two fingerprints of the cardholder, recorded in the chip. Identity cards will have a minimum validity period of 5 years and a maximum validity period of 10 years. Residence permits will have a uniform format. The regulation does not oblige Member States, that do not do it, to issue identity cards. (SP)