WRITTEN QUESTION P-3725/97 by Christof Tannert (PSE) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Legibility of future euro banknotes for the blind

Can the Commission say whether the interests of the blind and visually impaired will be taken into account in designing euro banknotes and, if so, how?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (16 December 1997)

Article 4.2 of the Statute of the European Monetary Institute (EMI) states that it is responsible for supervising the technical preparation euro-denominated banknotes.

However, the Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the European Association for the Blind has been fully involved in the design and production of euro banknotes by the EMI.

On 13 December 1996 the EMI issued a press communiqué on the implications of the euro for blind and visually impaired people, which describes the technical specifications necessary to ensure that euro banknotes meet the needs of the blind and visually impaired. These include differences in size and colour, the presence of clearly legible figures in the same position on all banknotes to facilitate identification of their face value, and symbols which can be read by touch.