WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/03 by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Free circulation of euro notes.
Date: 2003-06-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: commercial law, competence of the Member States, euro, paper money

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/109

On 16 June 2003 the Commission proposed that the Union ratifies two international agreements on
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which include PCBs in the 12 listed POPs. These international
agreements,
the Stockholm Convention and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE) Protocol on POPs aim at phasing out these most toxic chemicals by controlling their production,
use, import, export, emissions and disposal. At the same time, the Commission has proposed a Regulation
to fulfil the obligations from the international agreements at home and to enable prompt ratification by
the Union (see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/pops/index_en.htm).

In general, the Commission is neither informed about incidents related to the use of PCBs, nor has it been
contacted regarding this specific incident by the Greek authorities, or any similar accident in the past.

(1) OJ L 269, 11.10.1985.
(2) OJ L 243, 24.9.1996.

(2004/C 65 E/121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2003/03

by Salvador Garriga Polledo (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 June 2003)

Subject: Free circulation of euro notes

Almost from the outset, the free circulation of euro notes has been hampered by an obstacle that, though
expected, is none the less tiresome and worrying, namely the fact that some notes, particularly those above
EUR 50, are not accepted by some traders.

Signs marked ‘notes above EUR 50 not accepted’ are a common sight in shops and other sales outlets.

Are there any provisions which allow traders to refuse to accept euro notes of whatever denomination
and,
the
if not, do prospective purchasers have any legal recourse against measures which restrict
circulation of specific denominations?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(23 July 2003)

According to Article 106 (1), 3rd sentence, of the EC Treaty and Article 10 of Council Regulation (EC)
No 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro (1) all denominations of euro banknotes have
legal tender status. While this Regulation introduces a further limitation (see Article 11) on the maximum
number of coins which any party is obliged to accept, no further rules are laid down in relation to
banknotes. The different banknote denominations are specified in a decision of the European Central Bank
(ECB) Governing Council. The concept of legal tender is undefined in Community law, and should
therefore be interpreted against the background of national rules and practices.

There is no European legislation, which provides legal recourse against the restricted acceptance of certain
banknotes. Different legal provisions may apply according to the monetary and civil
laws of Member
States.

(1) OJ L 139, 11.5.1998.

(2004/C 65 E/122)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2072/03

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 June 2003)

Subject: Rules on ships’ crews

National
legislation in Denmark on the national fleet makes it impossible for a German master, for
instance, to find employment on a Danish-flagged vessel. For mariners, this very much constrains the