Euro Cheques suppliers - APACS standards and security features


	APACS have introduced an annex to the APACS 3.1 Standards for EURO DENOMINATED CHEQUES. A conscious decision was taken to keep the cost of making these changes as low as possible. The features described below must appear on all credits and drafts denominated in euros. These are the minimum requirements. If banks or customers wish to add additional identification or even completely redesign their credits for euros then they may do so provided the minimum requirements are met. Additional identification shall be outside the restraint area.

As specific Transaction codes have been allocated for these items denominated in euros, it is vitally important that euro transaction codes only appear on euro denominated credits and that sterling transaction codes only appear on sterling credits, see clause 3.5.

Distinguising Features

a. euro symbol in place of the £ symbol at the left of the T.A.B

b. the word "euro" and the euro symbol in place of the cash ladder or cash sub total box

c. As there will be no euro notes and coins until after 1/1/2002 the only means by which customers can make euro payments on a euro credit will be by cheque

d. "bank giro credit" to be replaced by "euro bank giro credit”

e. a bar down the vertical reference edge of the credit from near the top of the credit to a point no lower than the top of the upper border of the credits sub total box and in the same colour as the euro symbol.

Detailed Specifications

3.1. Currency symbol The currency symbol replaces the £ symbol. It shall be 4mm high with its right hand edge in the left-hand amount box border. The PCS shall be greater than 0.6 (60%).

3.2. "euro" and the euro symbol in place of the cash ladder or cash sub total box The word "euro" and the euro symbol shall be printed in place of the cash ladder or, if no cash ladder, the cash sub-total box. The symbol should be a minimum of 6mm high. It may have the word "euro" printed above, below and/or vertically either side of it.

3.3. euro symbol in top right hand corner of credit The words "euro bank giro credit" shall replace the words "bank giro credit" at the top of the credit

3.4. Bar down top of vertical reference edge A bar 1/10" (2.5mm) wide and 3/4" (19mm) or more in length shall be printed down the vertical reference edge of the credit from as near the top of the credit as is practical without it bleeding into the voucher document above it.

3.5. Transaction code The transaction code shall be in location 16 and 15 in the MICR code line or a minimum of 2 7/10" (69mm) from the vertical reference edge to the right hand side of the junior digit in the transaction code in an OCR code line.

3.6. Joint Giro Credits In addition to the above the following are specific to the total amount due box on JGCs. The Euro symbol to replace the £ symbol to the left of the box. It shall be 4mm high. The legend above the box shall be "Amount due in euros" with the words "in euros" in bold and in a slightly larger font.

Ink colour


	The above distinguishing features on credits denominated in euros should be printed in the same colour as the currency symbol, i.e. from the plate with the £/euro symbol on it.