Successfully tested types of banknote handling machine

When is a device added or removed from the lists?

Only those types of banknote handling machine that have passed a test at a national central bank (NCB) and on which the manufacturer has provided the testing NCB with all requested information (see explanations below) are listed.

Information on machine types that have passed a test will be published here within one month following the date on which the respective test was completed.

Information about a test will be removed from the website after the expiry of 12 calendar months following the calendar month during which the test was completed, unless the machine type's ability to detect counterfeits has been retested by an NCB either in an annual test or in a retest on an ad hoc basis by an NCB, and has passed such a test.

Any failure of a retest by a machine type or any refusal by the manufacturer to present a machine type for a retest will likewise result in the prompt removal of information about the machine type and corresponding further machines from the list(s).

Any summary test reports on the tests that have been passed that the NCBs may provide to the manufacturers will only be valid in respect of the test conditions at the date of testing and as long as the test results are published on this website.

The absence of any indication that the machine supports the second series of euro banknotes does not mean that the machine will not be compatible with such banknotes. Users of banknote handling machines are invited to contact the manufacturers to check whether their machines will be compatible with the second series of banknotes.

Subject to the restriction set out in paragraph (1) of the disclaimer, the tests and their results are valid in all euro area Member States. A manufacturer whose type of banknote handling machine has been successfully tested by an NCB is not therefore required to submit the same type of banknote handling machine to another test by the NCB of another euro area Member State.

Footnote

a) The manufacturer has declared that the additional machine(s) published in the line directly below a main machine type has/have the same level of performance regarding the tested functionality (authenticity/fitness/tracing ability) as the tested machine.

Explanations

Prior to testing, manufacturers are requested to provide the following additional information to the testing NCB:

1. information on whether the type of banknote handling machine complies with any national or Community health and safety legislation, and if so, which;
2. indication of the euro banknote denominations, series and feeding orientations that the type of banknote handling machine is designed to process and whether information on this is shown clearly on the machines;
3. a statement concerning which security features, as specified by the manufacturer, the type of banknote handling machine checks and how these checks are carried out;
4. a user manual – if the user manual is not in an official language of the Member State of the NCB which is conducting the test, other similar information needed for operating the type of banknote handling machine must be provided;
5. confirmation that the user manual or other instructions given to the user indicate: (i) how the type of banknote handling machine needs to be serviced; (ii) how frequently servicing needs to be carried out (e.g. cleaning of sensors) in order to function reliably; and (iii) how the user can verify the software version of the type of banknote handling machine;
6. information on whether the type of banknote handling machine can be adapted to detect new counterfeits and, if so, how this is achieved and how this can be verified by the user;
7. information on how the fitness sorting thresholds can be changed;
8. information on the power supply of the type of banknote handling machine.

Disclaimer on testing and results

1. The counterfeit euro banknotes used in the test are, to the best of the knowledge of the ECB and the NCBs, those most commonly found in circulation in the euro area at the time of the last update of the test deck used in the test. Since the ECB and the NCBs cannot foresee or exclude the possibility of new types of counterfeit appearing after the update of the test deck used, it is the responsibility of the manufacturers to have their types of banknote handling machine regularly tested. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of distributors and users of the machines to have the authentication devices integrated into their machines periodically updated in order to be able to detect new counterfeits.
2. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the ECB and the NCBs cannot be held liable for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the performance of the tests, the publication or non-publication on or removal from the ECB's webpage of the test results, or for the tests' outcomes. For separate disclaimers used by the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Banco de Portugal, see below.
3. Regarding additional machines that are not tested by a Eurosystem NCB, but are published on the ECB's webpage on the basis of a written guarantee provided by the manufacturer, according to which the respective machine(s) has/have the same hardware, software and level of performance with respect to the core functionalities (as defined in Annex I to Decision ECB/2010/14) as another type of banknote handling machine of the same manufacturer which has been successfully tested by a Eurosystem NCB and is published in the line directly above the additional machine(s), the ECB and the NCBs cannot be held liable, to the extent permitted by applicable law, for any direct or indirect damage resulting from the publication or non-publication on or removal from the ECB’s webpage of the reference to the additional machine(s). For the sake of clarity, it is noted that the reference to the additional machine(s) will be removed in the event that the tested type of banknote handling machine is removed from the list, and vice versa. For the sake of consistency, the tested type of banknote handling machine (and all additional machines of the same manufacturer with the same core functionalities) will have to be removed if any additional machine has to be removed, regardless of the reasons for such removal. For separate disclaimers used by the Deutsche Bundesbank and the Banco de Portugal, see below.
4. The published test results neither constitute, nor imply, any recommendation by the ECB or the NCBs to third parties to use or not use the tested types of banknote handling machine or additional machines.
5. The ECB and the NCBs do not give any warranty, whether express or implied, that the successfully tested types of banknote handling machine or additional machines: (i) can detect counterfeit euro banknotes continuously and without error, or check euro banknotes for fitness; or (ii) fulfil their purpose irrespective of whether the users of the machines comply with the user requirements or not.

Disclaimer (2) by the Deutsche Bundesbank

The Deutsche Bundesbank does not accept any liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect damage relating to the performance of the tests, the publication or non-publication on or removal from the ECB's webpage of the test results, or the tests'outcome, unless such damage is caused intentionally or is due to gross negligence on the part of the Deutsche Bundesbank. In addition, the limitation of liability contained in the general disclaimer of the Deutsche Bundesbank remains applicable.

Disclaimer (2) by the Banco de Portugal

The performance of the tests, and the publication or non-publication on or removal from the ECB's webpage of the test results do not imply the assumption of any liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect damage relating to these matters.

Disclaimer (3) by the Deutsche Bundesbank

The Deutsche Bundesbank does not accept any liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect damage relating to the publication or non-publication on or removal from the ECB's webpage of the reference to the additional machine unless such damage is caused intentionally or is due to gross negligence on the part of the Deutsche Bundesbank. This limitation of liability shall not apply to liability for damages resulting from injury to life or health. In addition, the limitation of liability contained in the general disclaimer of the Deutsche Bundesbank remains applicable.

Disclaimer (3) by the Banco de Portugal

The guarantee by the manufacturer relating to the additional machine, or the publication or non-publication on or removal from the ECB's webpage of information on the additional machine does not imply the assumption of any liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect damage relating to these matters.