PURPOSE: to establish, from 2014 to 2020, an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the ‘Pericles 2020’ programme).
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the ‘Pericles 2020’ programme) and repealing Council Decisions 2001/923/EC, 2001/924/EC, 2006/75/EC, 2006/76/EC, 2006/849/EC and 2006/850/EC.
CONTENT: the programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the ‘Pericles 2020’ programme) relies on two previous Pericles programmes for the periods 2002-2006 and 2007-2013 which successfully achieved their objectives.
The general objective of the Programme shall be to prevent and combat counterfeiting and related fraud, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the Union’s economy and securing the sustainability of public finances
Budget: in line with the wishes of the European Parliament, a financial envelope of EUR 7 344 000 (in current prices) is foreseen for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.
Eligible actions: the Programme shall take into account the transnational and multidisciplinary aspects of the fight against counterfeiting and shall promote best practice adapted to the national specificities of each Member State. The Programme shall provide financial support for the following actions:
· the exchange and dissemination of information, in particula,r through organising workshops, meetings and seminars, including training, targeted placements and exchanges of staff of competent national authorities;
· the technical, scientific and operational assistance, as appears necessary, as part of the Programme;
· grants to finance the purchase of equipment to be used by specialised anti-counterfeiting authorities in the fight against counterfeiting.
Participation: the Programme foresees the participation of police forces and financial administrations, as well as representatives of the national central banks and the mints, judicial officers and any other group of specialists concerned, such as chambers of commerce and industry.
Actions under the Programme may be organised jointly by the Commission and other partners having relevant expertise, such as: the national central banks and the European Central Bank (ECB), Europol, Eurojust and Interpol, as well as private entities that have developed and provided evidence of technical knowledge and teams specialising in detecting counterfeit banknotes and coins.
Protection of the financial interests of the Union: the Commission may take administrative and financial penalties within the implementation of actions financed by this Regulation. The European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out investigations, including on-the-spot checks and inspections, to establish the existence of fraud.
Monitoring and evaluation: the Programme shall be implemented by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States, through regular consultations at different stages of the implementation of the Programme. The Commission shall present an independent mid-term evaluation report by 31 December 2017, as well as a final evaluation report by 31 December 2017.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 06/04/2014. The Regulation shall apply from 01/012014.
DELEGATED ACTS: the Commission may adopt delagated acts in order to provide for a degree of flexibility in the allocation of funds. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020. The European Parliament or the Council may raise objections in regard to a delegated act within two months of notification of that act (this period may be extended by two months). If the European Parliament or the Council make objections, the delegated act will not enter into force.