Annex III MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MANUAL FITNESS CHECKING OF EURO BANKNOTESF1
United Kingdom
This Annex lays down minimum standards for manual fitness checking of euro banknotes by trained staff members.
In the course of the fitness checks, euro banknotes with any defect as set out in the table below, or with a clearly noticeable defect in one of the visible security features, are unfit. However, folded euro banknotes and euro banknotes with folded corners may be rectified by manual unfolding where possible. The fitness checks are carried out by a visual inspection of the individual euro banknotes and do not require the use of any tools.
List of sorting criteria for manual fitness checking
| Feature | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Soil | Visually noticeable distribution of dirt across the euro banknote |
| 2. | Stain | Visually noticeable localised concentration of dirt |
| 3. | Graffiti | Visually noticeable added image or lettering written or marked in any manner on a euro banknote |
| 4. | De-inked note | Visually noticeable lack of ink on part or whole of the euro banknote, e.g. a washed euro banknote |
| 5. | Tear | Euro banknote with at least one tear at the edge |
| 6. | Hole | Euro banknote with at least one visually noticeable hole |
| 7. | Mutilation | Euro banknote with a part/parts missing along at least one edge (in contrast to holes), e.g. a missing corner |
| 8. | Repair | Parts of one or more euro banknotes joined together by tape, glue or other means |
| 9. | Crumples | Euro banknote with multiple random folds across it that strongly affect its visual appearance |
| 10. | Limpness | Euro banknote with structural deterioration resulting in a marked lack of stiffness |
| 11. | Folded euro banknote | Euro banknote that is folded, including a euro banknote that cannot be unfolded |
| 12. | Folded corner | Euro banknote with at least one clearly noticible folded corner |