Authentication of euro banknotes (BRF)
Authentication and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes
On 16 September 2010 the European Central Bank issued the Decision on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes (ECB/2010/14) amended by Decision of the ECB of 7 September 2012 amending Decision ECB/2010/14 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes (ECB/2012/19) and Decision of the ECB of 5 December 2019 amending Decision ECB/2010/14 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes (ECB/2019/39), which replaces the Framework for the detection of counterfeits and fitness sorting of euro banknotes by credit institutions and professional cash handlers. The new decision expands the list of addressees (previously credit institutions and professional cash handlers) to cover payment service providers and other economic agents in accordance with Article 6 (1) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, amended by Council Regulation (EC) No. 44/2009. Cash handlers may only recirculate euro banknotes if the banknotes have been examined for authenticity and fitness. The examination may be conducted on banknote handling machines listed on the ECB website, or by trained staff members.
Regulation on the Authenticity and Fitness Checking and Recirculation of Euro Banknotes, and reporting to the Bank of Slovenia
To this end the Bank of Slovenia published the Regulation on the Authenticity and Fitness Checking and Recirculation of Euro Banknotes on 21 December 2010 in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 103/10, amended by Regulation amending Regulation on the Authenticity and Fitness Checking and Recirculation of Euro Banknotes (only in Slovenian language) on 8 March 2013 in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 20/13. Cash handlers must report master data and operational data to the Bank of Slovenia in accordance with the Instructions on the Implementation of the Regulation on the Authenticity and Fitness Checking and Recirculation of Euro Banknotes, amended by Instruction amending Instructions on the Implementation of the Regulation on the Authenticity and Fitness Checking and Recirculation of Euro Banknotes (Annex 1, Annex 2) (only in Slovenian language).
Successful testing of banknote handling machines and banknote authentication devices
A list of all successfully tested banknote handling machines is published on the ECB website. All machines that pass the tests will be listed on the ECB website within one month of passing the test. Each machine will be removed from the list after 12 months unless it passes annual testing or re-testing.
The results of testing of banknote authentication devices used by retailers and others to detect counterfeit euro banknotes (devices do not comply with the decision) are also published on the ECB website. The ECB publishes information about tested devices with the aim of helping banknote users to choose among the various devices that are available.
Regulation on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, amended by Council Regulation (EC) 44/2009 of 18 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting
The Slovenian government published the Regulation on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, amended by Council Regulation (EC) 44/2009 of 18 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, which was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 105/2011 of 23 December 2011 (only in Slovenian language). The aforementioned regulation lays down the penalties for infringements of Regulation 1338/2001/EC, and the body responsible for the supervision of the implementation of Regulation 1338/2001/EC.