{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2010-14/annex-III",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2010-14/annex-III.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2010/14",
  "legislation_title": "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)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2010-14",
  "path": "annex/III",
  "kind": "annex",
  "number": "III",
  "heading": "MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MANUAL FITNESS CHECKING OF EURO BANKNOTES",
  "text": "This Annex lays down minimum standards for manual fitness checking of euro banknotes by trained staff members.\nIn 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.\nList of sorting criteria for manual fitness checking\nFeature\nDescription\n1.\nSoil\nVisually noticeable distribution of dirt across the euro banknote\n2.\nStain\nVisually noticeable localised concentration of dirt\n3.\nGraffiti\nVisually noticeable added image or lettering written or marked in any manner on a euro banknote\n4.\nDe-inked note\nVisually noticeable lack of ink on part or whole of the euro banknote, e.g. a washed euro banknote\n5.\nTear\nEuro banknote with at least one tear at the edge\n6.\nHole\nEuro banknote with at least one visually noticeable hole\n7.\nMutilation\nEuro banknote with a part/parts missing along at least one edge (in contrast to holes), e.g. a missing corner\n8.\nRepair\nParts of one or more euro banknotes joined together by tape, glue or other means\n9.\nCrumples\nEuro banknote with multiple random folds across it that strongly affect its visual appearance\n10.\nLimpness\nEuro banknote with structural deterioration resulting in a marked lack of stiffness\n11.\nFolded euro banknote\nEuro banknote that is folded, including a euro banknote that cannot be unfolded\n12.\nFolded corner\nEuro banknote with at least one clearly noticible folded corner",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Substituted by Decision of the European Central Bank of 7 September 2012 amending Decision ECB/2010/14 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes (ECB/2012/19) (2012/507/EU)."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2010/14/annex/III",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:16:15.711410+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}