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Furthermore, it started an initiative in support of harmonized/interoperable ABC solutions on a
global scale.
The ABC 2013 aims to continue further development of best practice guidelines into different
areas based on national implementations or the EC legislative proposals in connection with
Entry-Exit System (EES) and Registered Traveller Programme (RTP). Activities will focus on
dissemination and validation work, in particular focusing on cross validation with
standardisation bodies and international organisations as well as third countries to ensure
coordination in this area and the achievement of greater harmonisation/interoperability levels
on a global scale.
Furthermore, the project aims to continue developing capability tools that can be used by
member states when making decisions to implement new technologies at the borders. In 2012
Frontex generated a cost benefit analysis (CBA) toolkit for ABC which has been tested in real
cases provided by selected member states, and in 2013 such analysis is planned to be
generated by a number of Member States in support of decision making. An additional aim in
2013 is to develop common procurement guidelines for ABC.
In support of the planned legislative proposals on EES and RTP, the ABC 2013 aims to initiate a
pilot between one or two Member States and Canada regarding the use of ABC systems by third
country nationals. The exploration of this possibility started in 2012.
The work will also continue to look to shape the future of ABC.
Visa Information System (VIS)
Budget: EUR 200.000
The Visa Information System was rolled out for border guards in October 2011. The VIS 2012
project catalogued a number of challenges in the implementation of the system by border
guard services and began to identify some solutions. The VIS 2013 project aims to finalize work
on reaching an agreement on the main challenges, to identify/develop best practice guidelines
for VIS implementation in the operational context, and to assess needs for training before
completion of the system in October 2014.
CheckBest Practices
Budget: EUR 70.000
CheckBest Practices project provides a platform to Member States for discussing existing gaps
and has as its main objective the identification of those areas where the development of best
practices and guidelines, or the provision of better information, could fill or help to fill existing
gaps. After successful completion of a best practice document on land borders, the same is
now proposed for air borders.
Air borders account for the major portion of all traffic in and out of the Schengen area (around
50% according to estimates). While air BCP practice is quite similar across the EU, there are
large differences between a handful of very large hub airports and medium or small
international airports. It is proposed that a Working Group be constructed to further
investigate and catalogue practices at air borders and to evaluate the utility of available
technical measures depending on airport size.
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