Banknotes and coins

Banknote handling equipment

Banknote sorting machines can be classified into two types:

• Machines used by the customer , which are divided into:

1. Cash recycling machines (accept banknotes, check their authenticity and fitness for recirculation and dispense banknotes deposited by other customers in previous transactions).
2. Cash-in machines (accept banknotes and check their authenticity).
3. Combined cash-in machines (accept banknotes and check their authenticity; fitness checking is optional; dispense preloaded banknotes not from transactions by other customers).
4. Cash-out machines (accept banknotes, check their authenticity and fitness; use banknotes loaded by entities that handle cash or other automated systems).

• Machines used by institutions' personnel , which are divided into:

1. Banknote processing machines (check the authenticity and fitness of banknotes for circulation).
2. Banknote authentication machines (check the authenticity of banknotes).
3. Teller assistant recycling machines (check the authenticity and fitness of banknotes and dispense banknotes deposited by other customers in previous transactions).
4. Teller assistant machines (check the authenticity of banknotes; keep banknotes in safe custody and allow cash handler entities to credit and debit the bank accounts of customers).

These two types of machine must allow the processing of hundreds of banknotes, and the classification of banknotes as genuine or suspect (banknotes rejected) - without the intervention of an operator - and must physically separate suspect (rejected) banknotes from those classified as genuine.

Conformance testing

Banknote handling machines must meet the requirements set forth in European Central Bank Decision of 16 September 2010 (ECB/2010/14) on checking the authenticity and fitness of euro banknotes and their recirculation, amended by European Central Bank Decision of 7 September 2012 (ECB/2012/19), a common procedure throughout the Eurosystem; machine that pass the tests at a national central bank can then be used in any Eurosystem country.

Manufacturers or distributors of equipment wishing to apply for trials to be carried out must take the steps indicated in the following link:

• Procedures to authorise the approval of banknote handling machines and authentication devices

Until 10 January 2013, information provided on the denominations and series supported by a machine relates only to the first series of euro banknotes. The absence until 10 January 2013 of any indication that the machine supports the second series of euro banknotes (ES2) does not mean that the machine will not be compatible with ES2 banknotes. Users of banknote handling machines are invited to contact the manufacturers to check whether their machines will be ES2 compatible.