The new biometric passports are a European Union requirement. The EU hereby aims intends to improve the security of:

·         the citizens themselves: by guaranteeing them a travel document that is almost impossible to forge, offering greater protection against identity theft;

·         the territories: by fighting against identity fraud, which is constantly on the rise and which affects many states.

Unlike many other countries, for many years Belgium has been very flexible with its citizens residing abroad by allowing them to apply for their passport by post.
With the introduction of biometrics, this will no longer be a possibility since every citizen will have to be physically present in order to apply for a passport (as of age 6).

More information on http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/services_abroad/belgian_passport/biometric_passport/for_belgians_abroad/

Belgian residents in Argentina (and jurisdiction Paraguay & Uruguay), this measure will be effective as from 01 October 2012.