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)

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