Slovenian biometric identity card awarded the Gold Award for Best Innovation in the Celje Region in 2023

Today, on 6 June 2023, the Celje Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the most innovative companies with the  award for Best Innovation in the Celje Region for the 23rd year in a row. Among the recipients of the Gold Award for Best Innovation in the Celje Region in 2023 is the company CETIS, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, for the new Slovenian biometric identity card.

On 28 March 2022, after almost 24 years, Slovenia started issuing new biometric identity cards. Our current identity card represents an identity document that combines cutting-edge technology, sophisticated security design and the highest requirements of international standards. The ID card is an important step towards modern digitalised services in the Republic of Slovenia, as it enables secure and reliable electronic identification and signature. The new Slovenian biometric identity card is a joint achievement of CETIS, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation (formerly the Ministry of Public Administration).

This year, the Celje Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry awarded 4 Gold, 6 Silver, and 5 Bronze awards, as well as one award for breakthrough innovation. 16 innovations from 13 companies were submitted in response to the call for nominations of the Celje Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 54 innovators participated in these innovations.

The four highest scoring innovation applications will compete for national awards for the best innovations at the Innovation Day on 19 September 2023.

THREE OTHER AWARDS FOR THE SLOVENIAN ID CARD SO FAR

HSP award for the Best New National ID Card for Europe, Africa and the Middle East
The Slovenian identity card has already been awarded the prestigious HSP award for the Best New National ID Card for Europe, Africa and the Middle East by a panel of renowned international experts in the field of security printing and identification documents at the specialised High Security Printing EMEA Conference in Abu Dhabi in March this year.

eAward
In May this year, the electronic identity card project also received the eAward presented by the Slovenian Society Informatika at the Slovenian Informatics Days Conference.

INFORMATION STRAWBERRY Award
Last October, at the official ceremony of the 25th International Multiconference ‘Information Society’ held at the Jožef Stefan Institute, the implementation of the electronic ID card received the INFORMATION STRAWBERRY Award for the best achievement in the information society field in the previous year. 

Biometric identity cards

On 28 March 2022, after almost 24 years, Slovenia started issuing new biometric identity cards. Our current identity card represents an identity document that combines cutting-edge technology, sophisticated security design and the highest requirements of international standards. The ID card is an important step towards modern digitalised services in the Republic of Slovenia, as it enables secure and reliable electronic identification and signature. This was also recognised by the panel of judges.

The new ID cards feature an exceptional design inspired by Slovenian symbols, nature, history, culture and sport. These include an outline of a map of Slovenia, the coat of arms, various manuscripts of the Slovenian anthem, a figure from the Vače situla with an accentuated image of a horseman, an outline of Robba's fountain and a linden leaf. The image of Triglav, the text of the second stanza of Prešeren's Zdravljica and the waves of the sea were added to the recognisable motifs on the back of the identity card. The security features have been integrated into the design and motifs also found on the passports of the Republic of Slovenia, thus ensuring a coherent visual image of the travel documents. Slovenians are proud of the sporting achievements of our athletes at home and abroad, so it is no coincidence that the colours of the new identity card are the distinctive colours of Slovenian sport.

While the old ID card had 14 security features, the new ID card provides the highest level of security and advanced features with 34 security elements. These include a chip and a photograph created using three different techniques, as well as a transparent window that displays the initials of the name and surname alongside the photograph. An EU flag with a two-letter code for Slovenia is added in the top left corner. Security features are integrated into the security design as a meaningful part of the story.

Wide range of functionalities and e-services

A wide range of functionalities enable a secure and reliable electronic identification and electronic signature. The new ID card has a chip with two biometrics: the holder's image and two fingerprints (this applies to citizens aged 12 and over). Citizens can currently travel to 42 countries with the new ID card. All ID cards also include a chip tag and a QR code (a barcode in the form of an abstract black and white diagram). The QR code does not contain a record of personal data, but allows the validity of the ID card to be verified through the e-Government portal, thus enhancing legal security.

Currently, the electronic ID card can already be used for a wide range of e-services, not only in the public sector but also in the private sector (including in the health insurance system as a replacement for the current health insurance card), and in the second half of this year also for the provision of electronic services in other EU Member States.

Further information on the advantages of the new Slovenian biometric ID card is available in the presentation video and the accompanying brochure.

Awarded innovators of the Celje region 2023
Photo: Regional Chamber of Commerce of Celje

Award-winning representatives of the innovators of the Slovenian identity card: the company CETIS, the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Digital Transformation
Photo: Regional Chamber of Commerce of Celje

Mihela Colnarič, director of commercial, accepted the award on behalf of CETIS
Photo: Regional Chamber of Commerce of Celje

Photo: CETIS