Article 1
Purpose 1. The purpose of this Regulation is to lay down measures necessary with a view to uttering euro notes and coins in such a manner as to protect them against counterfeiting. 2. For the purpose of applying this Regulation, "counterfeiting" shall mean the following activities: (a) any fraudulent making or altering of euro notes or euro coins, whatever means are employed; (b) the fraudulent uttering of counterfeit euro notes or counterfeit euro coins; (c) the import, export, transport, receiving or obtaining of counterfeit euro notes or counterfeit euro coins with a view to uttering the same and with knowledge that they are counterfeit; (d) the fraudulent making, receiving, obtaining or possession of: - instruments, articles, computer programs and any other means peculiarly adapted for the fraudulent making or altering of euro notes or coins, or - holograms or other components which serve to protect euro notes and coins against fraudulent making or alteration. 3. This Regulation shall apply, without prejudice to the application of national criminal law, to the protection of the euro against counterfeiting.