This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Member States shall apply this Regulation:

as regards the facial image: at the latest 18 months

as regards fingerprints: at the latest 36 months

following the adoption of the measures referred to in Article 2. However, the validity of passports and travel documents already issued shall not be affected.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in the Member States in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community.

Done at Brussels, 13 December 2004.

For the Council

The President

B. R. BOT

( 1 ) OJ C 98, 23.4.2004, p. 39 .

( 2 ) Opinion of 2.12.2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

( 3 ) OJ C 310, 28.10.2000, p. 1 .

( 4 ) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23 .

( 5 ) OJ L 164, 14.7.1995, p. 1 . Regulation as last amended by the 2003 Act of Accession.

( 6 ) OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31 . Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 ( OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1 ).

( 7 ) OJ L 239, 22.9.2000, p. 19 . Convention at last amended by Regulation (EC) No 871/2004 ( OJ L 162, 30.4.2004, p. 29 ).

( 8 ) OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43 .

( 9 ) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20 .

( 10 ) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 36 .

( 11 ) OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 31 .

( 12 ) Council document 13054/04 accessible on: http://register.consilium.eu.int

( 13 ) Council document 13464/04 and 13466/04 accessible on: http://register.consilium.eu.int

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2252/2004 of 13 December 2004 on standards for security features and biometrics in passports and travel documents issued by Member States ANNEX