Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92001E0286

**WRITTEN QUESTION E-0286/01 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Counterfeiting of euro currency.** 
  
*Official Journal 261 E , 18/09/2001 P. 0077 - 0078*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0286/01

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(9 February 2001)

Subject: Counterfeiting of euro currency

What steps is the Commission taking to ensure that when the euro currency is introduced shopkeepers and traders have very clear guidance as to the nature of the new notes so as to avoid the possibility of counterfeiting? Is the Commission cooperating with the Member States in a programme to control the availability and exchange of black-market cash during the transition from national currencies to the euro?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2001)

The European Central Bank (ECB), the national central banks, the Commission and the Member States are currently conducting communication campaigns with respect to the euro designed for the general public as much as for specific groups.

Particularly as of September 2001 the campaigns will focus on the characteristics of euro banknotes and coins, allowing users to recognise them correctly and avoid counterfeits.

For the overall protection of the euro banknotes and coins from counterfeiting, a high level of protection has been achieved. Security features correspond to the highest technical standards. Furthermore, the proposal for a Council Regulation laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting(1), on which a political agreement was reached in Council on 12 February 2001, aims at establishing, in particular, procedures for exchanging information on counterfeits and counterfeiting and for cooperation involving the Member States, the Commission, the ECB and Europol.

In addition, the Commission is currently preparing a proposal for a training and assistance multi-annual programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting and legislative mesures for supervising cross-border transportation of cash -inter alia- in order to control availability and exchange of black-market cash. This proposal would aim, in particular, at strengthening legislation on controls and allowing the exchange of information.

Furthermore, the Commission proposed(2) an initiative to amend Directive 91/308/EEC of 10 June 1991, on prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering(3), on which a common position was reached in Council on 30 November 2000. Most importantly, it will extend the obligations of the Directive, in particular customer identification and reporting of suspicions of money laundering, after its formal adoption by the Parliament and Council.

(1) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.

(2) OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000.

(3) OJ L 166, 28.6.1991.

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