The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is at the heart of Biotesting Europe, a European project to ensure that future testing procedures and facilities for biometrics systems meet the needs of users and developers, building confidence in this growing industry.

Biometric recognition systems measure unique behavioural or physical traits such as the layout of iris capillaries, or fingerprints to identify individuals.

Accurate testing and validation of these systems is critical. Before investing in these often expensive systems buyers need to be assured of their usability and reliability. For technology developers it’s about the benefit from the ability to secure independent proof that their products are effective and also the ability trial them in combination with other existing systems.

A new European network of testing resources which could improve access to existing facilities and avoid duplication of results is required to enable the growth of the industry. But an audit of existing resources and the needs of customers is required before significant investment is made. BioTesting Europe will deliver this information.

NPL holds world-leading independent expertise in the evaluation and calibration of biometric systems and its scientists are well respected in the field. It is playing a critical role by partnering with the European Biometric Forum, Germany’s Fraunhofer-Institut für Graphische Verarberaitung, and the European Commission Joint Research Centre on the project. The results of Biotesting Europe will provide clear direction for future development of shared resources in biometric testing.

Find out more about NPL's research in Biometrics