M/578 - ANPR
Automatic number plate recognition
Mandate M/578 tasks European standardisation organisations with developing standards for Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. The objective is to establish common technical specifications and requirements to ensure interoperability, reliability, and effectiveness of ANPR technology across the EU. This will support law enforcement, traffic management, and security applications by providing harmonised frameworks that facilitate data exchange and system compatibility while respecting privacy and data protection standards. The mandate aims to enhance the performance and deployment of ANPR solutions, contributing to safer and more efficient transportation and public safety infrastructures within the European Union.
Purpose
The mandate M/578 concerns the development of standardisation deliverables related to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. The objective is to support the interoperability, reliability, and effective deployment of ANPR systems across the European Union. This aims to facilitate security, traffic management, law enforcement, and other applications relying on number plate recognition technology.
Standardisation request
The mandate requests the identification or development of European standards that cover key aspects of ANPR systems. This typically includes standard formats for data capture, processing, sharing, and storage; performance criteria; testing methods; and interoperability requirements. The standardisation work will enable harmonised use of ANPR technologies by public authorities and private sector entities within the EU.
Expected deliverables
Deliverables are expected to include a suite of European standards that define:
- Common data formats for number plate information
- Performance and accuracy requirements
- Interoperability protocols for data exchange
- Testing and certification methodologies for ANPR systems
These standards will form the technical basis for uniform adoption of ANPR technology, ensuring that systems from different manufacturers and jurisdictions can effectively interoperate.
Context
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is a key component in modern intelligent transport systems and law enforcement operations, enabling automated identification of vehicle license plates. In the European context, the deployment of ANPR systems raises challenges regarding data protection, cross-border cooperation, and technical interoperability. The mandate M/578 supports the EU’s broader efforts to create a harmonised digital single market and to promote secure, efficient, and interoperable technologies in areas including mobility and security.
The mandate covers the standardisation of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems. It addresses the development of standards for the identification, capture, and processing of vehicle registration plates using optical character recognition technologies, primarily to support law enforcement, traffic management, and access control sectors.
General Information
This document provides guidance to contracting authorities on how to determine contract award criteria to meet the accessibility requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act, EAA) and Directive (EU) 2016/2102 (Web Accessibility Directive, WAD); and on how to verify the conformance of publicly procured ICT products and services with these requirements. The present document describes how the accessibility requirements for the ICT should be specified, documented and assessed in the frame of the procurement process, under the EU public procurement directives1. The different mechanisms for conformity assessment with the applicable accessibility requirements are explained. It discusses how these mechanisms can be applied both in the pre-procurement research phase and when awarding a contract, as well as part of contract management in the post-award stage.
This document also provides a useful guidance for bidders who prepare an offer for public procurement of ICT products and services, and others aiming to procure accessible ICT.
Aspects that do not deal with accessibility in ICT procurement in Europe are outside the scope of this document.
- Technical specification55 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This Technical Report (TR) provides guidance to contracting authorities on how to determine contract award criteria to meet the accessibility requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/882 (European Accessibility Act, EAA) and Directive (EU) 2016/2102 (Web Accessibility Directive, WAD); and on how to verify the conformance of publicly procured ICT products and services with these requirements. The present document describes how the accessibility requirements for the procured ICT should be specified, documented and assessed in the frame of the procurement process, under the EU Public Procurement Directives1. The different mechanisms for conformity assessment with the applicable accessibility requirements are explained. It is discussed how these mechanisms may be applied both in the pre-procurement research phase and when awarding a contract, as well as part of contract management in the post-award stage. This Technical Report also provides a useful guidance for bidders who prepare an offer for public procurement of ICT products and services, and others aiming to procure accessible ICT.
- Technical specification55 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/578 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "Automatic number plate recognition". Automatic number plate recognition There are 2 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.