Standards for banknotes re-issuance
If we are to have confidence in cash, it is essential that banknotes are subjected to quality and authentication checks. For this purpose, the European Central Bank (ECB) has drawn up common standards that banks and other professional cash handlers must comply with when re-issuing banknotes through cash dispensers.
Framework for counterfeit detection
The ECB standards are laid down in the 'Framework for banknote re-issuance', which you may download at the bottom of this page.
The essence is that cash dispensers may only be filled with notes that have been checked for authenticity and quality by banknote handling machines that have passed a test conducted by one of the national central banks of the Eurosystem (NCB). A list of the machines that have been successfully tested in the past twelve months is regularly published on the ECB website (see the link 'Tested banknote sorting machines' at the bottom of the page).
The document is meant for banks and other professional cash handlers. Like banks, non-banking operators of cash dispensers are required to observe the Framework’s standards. The professional machines referred to in this context should not be confused with the detection devices used in the retail sector.
Now a legal obligation
Since 23 January 2009, 'Council Regulation (EC) No. 44/2009 of 18 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting' has come into effect.
The most important element of the amended Regulation is that it is now a legal requirement that all cash dispensers in the euro area (both those of banks and other parties, such as retailers) may only be filled with banknotes that have first been checked in accordance with the procedures set by the ECB. These can be found in the ECB standards mentioned earlier. The ECB is currently updating the 2004 text, so that it matches the (amended) Regulation. In the new text by the ECB, the term 'automated teller machines (cash dispensers)' will also be explained in more detail. Firstly, it refers to cash dispensers, but it may also denote other customer-operated devices that dispense banknotes.
In theNetherlands,the introduction of this legal regulation has had few immediate effects, as banks already comply with the ECB requirements for filling cash dispensers. According toDNB,this also holds true for the relatively limited number of non-bank cash dispensers in operation in theNetherlands.
Sorting machine up-to-date?
It is the responsibility of manufacturers, banks and other users to ensure that their sorting machines stay up-to-date. For this purpose, manufacturers are required to have their machines tested annually and also after every hardware or software modification.
Each test is conducted by one of the national central banks in the Eurosystem, in accordance with common ECB procedures. The test results are valid for all countries of the euro area. For questions about the testing of sorting machines, please contactDNBby e-mail at secretariaatchartaal@dnb.nl.
