Opinion of the European Central Bank (ECB) on a proposal for a regulation 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 IV programme’).
The ECB noted that the proposed regulation will replace the legal basis of the current Pericles 2020 programme, from 1 January 2021, in order to continue the Pericles programme to the end of 2027.
It is convinced that the Pericles programme will continue to contribute to preserving the integrity of euro banknotes and in the fight against counterfeiting.
To prepare for the launch of banknotes with upgraded security features, the ECB and the national central banks of the Eurosystem offer a wide range of information to banknote equipment manufacturers and suppliers, as well as commercial banks, retailers and others that use banknote equipment or handle cash on a daily basis. In addition, the ECB provides training programmes and training materials to complement professional cash handlers' training.
Moreover, the ECB analyses new counterfeit types at its Counterfeit Analysis Centre (CAC) and uses the knowledge gained to better advise law enforcement authorities.
In response, the Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group, of which the ECB is a member, supports and uses technologies such as counterfeit deterrence systems, which prevent the capture or reproduction of images of protected banknotes.
The ECB:
- encourages the Commission to fully exploit the ECB's experience in conducting training and providing information on euro banknotes and to provide for the full involvement of the ECB in this respect;
- reiterates its view that it would be beneficial if the Commission liaised with and involved the ECB and Europol when preparing the work programmes to be funded under the programme;
- emphasises the need: (i) for it to be regularly involved in the preparation of the evaluation reports during the programme; (ii) for feedback from entities actively participating in relevant measures alongside the Commission to be appropriately included in the evaluation reports and communications; and (iii) for it to be kept regularly informed in future about the programme;
- wishes to be consulted prior to the adoption of any delegated act provided for in Article 12(2) of the proposed regulation since these are implementing measures for the purpose of protecting the euro against counterfeiting and as such are necessary for the use of the euro as the single currency.