{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2010-14/annex-IIb",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2010-14/annex-IIb.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/IIb",
  "kind": "annex",
  "number": "IIb",
  "heading": "CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF EURO BANKNOTES BY STAFF-OPERATED MACHINES",
  "text": "Euro banknotes are classified into one of the categories set out in Table 1. Categories 4a and 4b euro banknotes are to be physically separated from categories 1, 2 and 3 euro banknotes. Machines which do not check euro banknotes for fitness do not need to distinguish between categories 4a and 4b euro banknotes.\nTable 1\nClassification and treatment of euro banknotes by staff-operated machines\nCategory\nProperties\nTreatment\n1.\nObjects not recognised as euro banknotes\nNot recognised as euro banknotes because of any of the following:\neuro banknotes not supported by the machine\nnon-euro banknotes\neuro banknote-like objects\nwrong image or format\nlarge folded corner(s) or missing part(s)\nfeeding or transportation error of the machine\nReturn by the machine to the operator for further evaluation and treatment.\nAfter visual evaluation by a staff member these can be returned by the cash handler to the customer.\n2.\nSuspect counterfeit euro banknotes\nImage and format recognised, but one or more authentication feature checked by the machine not detected or clearly out of tolerance\nReturn by the machine to the operator for further treatment.\nThese are processed separately and handed over for final authentication to the competent national authorities immediately, at the latest 20 working days after processing by the machine.\n3.\nEuro banknotes that are not clearly authenticated\nImage and format recognised, but not all authentication features checked by the machine are recognised because of quality and/or tolerance deviations. In most cases unfit euro banknotes\n4a.\nEuro banknotes that are identified as genuine and fit\nAll authenticity and fitness checks carried out by the machine giving positive results\nCan be used for recirculation.\nCredited to the account holder.\n4b.\nEuro banknotes that are identified as genuine and unfit\nAll authenticity checks carried out by the machine giving positive results. At least one fitness criterion checked giving a negative result\nCannot be used for recirculation and are returned to the NCB.\nCredited to the account holder.\nSpecific rule regarding Table 1:\nIf euro banknotes in categories 2 and 3 can be physically separated by the machine itself or by another banknote handling machine, or, if the NCB agrees, by trained staff members, then category 3 euro banknotes can be provided together with category 4b euro banknotes to the NCB. In such case the time limit for handing category 2 euro banknotes to the competent national authority and mixed category 3 and 4b euro banknotes to the NCB still apply as specified in the table.",
  "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/IIb",
    "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."
}