Decision of the European Central Bank of 16 September 2010 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes (ECB/2010/14) (2010/597/EU)

ANNEX IIIa MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AUTOMATED FITNESS CHECKING OF EURO BANKNOTES

This Annex lays down minimum standards for automated fitness checking of euro banknotes by banknote handling machines.

In the course of the fitness checks, euro banknotes with any defect in respect of which a mandatory requirement has been defined as set out below are unfit.

The acceptable tolerance level for the fitness checks by banknote handling machines is 5 %. This means that a maximum of 5 % of the euro banknotes that do not meet the fitness criteria may be misclassified by the machines and sorted as fit.

Table 1

List of sorting criteria for automated fitness sorting

Defect		Definition
1.	Soil	General distribution of dirt across the entire euro banknote
2.	Stain	Localised concentration of dirt
3.	Graffiti	Added image or lettering written or marked in any manner on a euro banknote
4.	De-inked note	Lack of ink on part or whole of the euro banknote, e.g. a washed euro banknote
5.	Tear	Self-explanatory
6.	Hole	Self-explanatory
7.	Mutilation	Euro banknotes with part(s) missing, along at least one edge (in contrast to holes)
8.	Repair	Parts of one or more euro banknotes joined together by tape or glue or other means
9.	Crumples	Multiple random folds
10.	Limpness	Structural deterioration resulting in a marked lack of stiffness
11.	Fold	Self-explanatory
12.	Folded corner	Self-explanatory

Further information on sorting criteria

1. Soil

Soil increases the optical density of euro banknotes. The following table specifies the maximum density increase of limit samples compared to new euro banknotes that euro banknotes may exhibit to be classified as fit:

Table 2

Optical density levels

Denomination	Maximum density increase of limit sample compared to new euro banknote	Filter
EUR 5	0,06	Magenta
EUR 10	0,06	Magenta
EUR 20	0,08	Magenta
EUR 50	0,07	Magenta
EUR 100	0,07	Magenta
EUR 200	0,04	Magenta
EUR 500	0,04	Magenta

Euro banknotes not meeting these criteria are unfit. NCBs keep reference euro banknotes showing a soil level derived from these criteria. The densitometric measurements of the reference euro banknotes are based on the following criteria:

• Standard for density measurements: ISO 5 parts 3 and 4

• Standard for the filters: DIN 16536

• Absolute measurements: standard calibration (white tile)

• Polarisation filter: on

• Aperture: 3 mm

• Illumination: D65/2

• Background: white tile standard calibration

The density increase of a reference banknote is the highest value between the averages of at least four measurement points measured on the front and on the back of the banknote in the unprinted area and without any watermark modulation.

2. Stain

Euro banknotes with a localised concentration of dirt covering at least 9 mm by 9 mm in the non-printed area or at least 15 mm by 15 mm in the printed area are unfit.

3. Graffiti

At present there is no mandatory requirement to detect graffiti.

4. De-inked note

De-inking of euro banknotes can occur, e.g. if they have been washed or subjected to aggressive chemical agents. These kinds of unfit euro banknotes might be detected by image detectors or UV detectors.

5. Tear

Euro banknotes with tears which are open and not partly or fully covered by the machine’s transport belt(s) are unfit if the size of the tear is greater than indicated below.

Table 3

Tear

a This is measured by drawing a straight line from the peak of the tear to the edge of the banknote where the tear begins (rectangular projection), rather than measuring the length of the tear itself.
Direction	Width	Length
Vertical	4 mm	8 mm
Horizontal	4 mm	15 mm
Diagonal	4 mm	18 mma

6. Hole

Euro banknotes with holes which are not partly or fully covered by the machine’s transport belt(s) are unfit if the area of the hole is greater than 10 mm².

7. Mutilation

Euro banknotes with lengths reduced by 6 mm or more or widths reduced by 5 mm or more are unfit. All measurements relate to differences from the nominal lengths and widths of the euro banknotes.

8. Repair

A repaired euro banknote is created by joining parts of euro banknote(s) together, e.g. by using tape or glue. A euro banknote with tape covering an area greater than 10 mm by 40 mm and which is more than 50µm thick is unfit.

9. Crumples

Crumpled euro banknotes can normally be identified if their level of reflectance or stiffness is reduced. There is no mandatory requirement.

10. Limpness

As far as possible, euro banknotes with very little stiffness are sorted as unfit. As limpness normally correlates with soiling, limp euro banknotes are generally also detected via soil sensors. There is no mandatory requirement.

11. Fold

Folded euro banknotes, because of their reduced length or width, can be detected by sensors checking the size of the euro banknotes. In addition, they can be detected by thickness sensors. However, due to technical limitations, only folds fulfilling the criteria laid down for mutilations, i.e. folds leading to a reduction in length greater than 6 mm or a reduction in width greater than 5 mm, can be identified and are unfit.

12. Folded corner

A euro banknote with a folded corner with an area of more than 130 mm² and a minimum length of the smaller edge greater than 10 mm is unfit.