Start with the news release Microcontroller meets ePassport requirements from Atmel Corporation, which we summarised at the time by saying "Atmel's AT90SC256144RCFT secure microcontroller has been independently certified as complying with the standards for ePassport use.". Several months prior to that, we featured the news release Microcontroller allows low-cost smart cards from Renesas Technology Europe: "Renesas Technology Europe's AE41R enables low-cost implementation of a contactless system compatible smart card offering a high level of user convenience and simple operator maintenance. ".
 
In March 2007, we covered the news from Integrated Engineering - take a look at Acquisition is part of strategic initiative which says: "Contactless smart card specialist Integrated Engineering has been acquired by Assa Abloy's HID Global, a leading manufacturer in the access control industry.".
 
Take a look also at the news release from LEGIC Identsystems, Crypto transponder chip complies with ISO15693, as well as Software expands real-time spectrum analysers from Tektronix, and Alliance unites contactless smart card standards from NXP (formerly Philips Semiconductors).