Decision of the European Central Bank of 15 May 2008 on security accreditation procedures for manufacturers of euro secure items for euro banknotes (ECB/2008/3) (2008/402/EC) (repealed)

Article 5 Initiation request and appointment of security inspection team

1. A manufacturer that wishes to carry out a euro secure activity in respect of one or more euro secure items shall make a written request to the ECB to initiate the security accreditation procedure. This request shall:

(a) specify the euro secure item(s), the manufacturing site and its location and the euro secure activity for which the manufacturer seeks security accreditation;

(b) provide information showing that its production equipment is capable of producing the euro secure item(s) for which accreditation is sought;

(c) provide information concerning the physical security arrangements at the manufacturing site;

(d) include a written undertaking from the manufacturer that it will comply with all applicable provisions of this Decision as it may be amended from time to time and a declaration that it will keep the content of the security rules confidential;

(e) if the manufacturer intends to use a specialist destruction facility, include information on the manufacturer’s reasons for wishing to do so and information on the arrangements concerning that facility. In particular the manufacturer shall provide information on the planned arrangements for transporting euro secure items to and from the specialist destruction facility and on the planned means of monitoring the destruction of euro secure items at such facility; and

(f) state clearly whether the manufacturer is applying for full or temporary security accreditation for a euro secure activity in respect of a euro secure item.

2. The ECB shall check the initiation request against the requirements laid down in paragraph 1 and inform the manufacturer of the outcome of this check within 20 ECB working days from the date of receipt of the initiation request, in accordance with the procedures laid down in paragraphs 3 and 4. This time limit may be extended once by the ECB, but the ECB must give the manufacturer written notice thereof. While the ECB is carrying out this check, it may request additional information from the manufacturer in relation to the items listed in paragraph 1. If the ECB requests additional information, it shall inform the manufacturer of the outcome of the check within 20 ECB working days from the date of receipt of the additional information.

3. The ECB shall reject the initiation request and inform the manufacturer in writing of its decision to do so and the reasons therefor by no later than the time limits specified in paragraph 2 if:

(a) the manufacturer fails to provide the information or the written undertaking required pursuant to paragraph 1;

(b) the manufacturer fails to supply any additional information requested by the ECB pursuant to paragraph 2;

(c) the manufacturer has had its security accreditation revoked and the period of prohibition on reapplication specified in the revocation decision has not elapsed; or

(d) the locations of any printing works involved and the manufacturing site do not meet the requirements laid down in Articles 3(2)(b) and 3(2)(c), where full security accreditation is applied for, or in Articles 4(2)(c) and 4(2)(d) where temporary security accreditation is applied for.

4. If the manufacturer complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 1 and submits any additional information requested pursuant to paragraph 2, the ECB shall notify the manufacturer of the date of the initial security inspection by no later than the time limits specified in paragraph 2. The ECB shall at the same time provide the manufacturer with:

(a) a confidential list of all euro secure items, such list forming part of the security rules; and

(b) a copy of those parts of the security rules that relate to the production, processing (including destruction) and storage of the euro secure items in respect of which the manufacturer seeks security accreditation. The ECB shall provide the manufacturer with any updates of these rules that are issued during the security accreditation procedure.

5. The ECB shall appoint a security inspection team composed of experts from the ECB and NCBs. Such appointments shall respect the principle of avoiding conflicts of interest. If a conflict of interest arises after appointment, the ECB shall immediately replace the member in question with an expert who does not have a conflict of interest.