The passive 64Kb RFID devices in the new passports will be supplied by Infineon Technologies North America Corp. of San Jose, Calif., and Amsterdam-based Gemalto N.V., Moss said. The E-passports meet specifications laid down by the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations standards body.
ICAO has been pushing for its 189-member countries to adopt machine-readable, electronically enabled passports by 2010.