The European Union has delayed the introduction of a fingerprint and facial scan border control system for non-EU citizens.
Its deployment was scheduled for November 10, but was pushed back after Germany, France and the Netherlands said their IT systems were not ready.
At the same time, sources told the BBC there had been no live testing of EU software on UK border systems.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said there was no new timetable for its implementation, but it would be introduced gradually.
“It is clear that we will not be ready for November 10,” Johansson said, adding: “We will take a gradual approach, step by step.”
The EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet next week to discuss its introduction.
The Entry and Exit System (EES) means that non-EU citizens, including UK nationals, must register their biometric data at the EU border to enter rather than stamping their passport.
The idea is to create a digital record linking passports to biometric data. Passengers will receive handheld devices allowing them to record their details in their car.
A spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry told the Reuters news agency that the three countries were not ready to set up the system because the European agency in charge, EU-Lisa, did not. 'hadn't yet been sufficiently stable.
The French Interior Ministry told Reuters the EES must be properly prepared.
