Counterfeit prevention

Authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins that are unfit for circulation

The European Commission drafted Regulation (EU) No 1210/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 concerning authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation (OJ L 339 of 22 December 2010; hereinafter: Regulation 1210/2010/EU) with the aim of establishing the effective and uniform authentication of euro coins throughout the euro area. Regulation 1210/2010/EU is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. The institutions set out in the first paragraph of Article 6 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, which was amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2009 amending Regulation (EC) 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, include credit institutions, other payment service providers within the framework of their payment activities, and economic entities engaged in the sorting and distribution to the public of euro coins (e.g. exchange offices and cash-in-transit companies).