Article 2General principles
1.A manufacturer shall apply for and receive quality accreditation from the ECB before starting or continuing its euro banknote production activity.
2.An accredited manufacturer may only carry out a euro banknote production activity at the manufacturing sites for which it has been granted quality accreditation under this Decision.
3.The ECB requirements for quality accreditation shall be minimum requirements. Manufacturers may adopt and implement stricter quality standards, which shall be laid down in their quality plan, as defined in the quality requirements.
4.The Executive Board shall be competent to take all decisions relating to a manufacturer’s quality accreditation, taking into account the views of the Banknote Committee, and shall inform the Governing Council thereof.
5.Any costs and associated losses that a manufacturer incurs in connection with the application of this Decision shall be borne by the manufacturer.
6.The provisions of this Decision are without prejudice to any full or temporary quality accreditation granted before the entry into force of this Decision.