Tag Archives: Technical specification

Interoperability of the rail system within the EU

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Interoperability of the rail system within the EU

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Interoperability of the rail system within the EU

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Regional policy > Management of regional policy > Trans-european networks

Interoperability of the rail system within the EU

Document or Iniciative

Directive 2008/57/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the interoperability of the rail system within the Community (Text with EEA relevance).

Summary

This directive establishes the conditions to be fulfilled to achieve interoperability * within the EU rail system at the design, construction, placing into service, upgrading, renewal, operation and maintenance stages. Its provisions comply with Directive 2004/45/EC on railway safety and the health and safety of workers.

The gradual implementation of interoperability of the rail system is pursued through the harmonisation of technical standards. Thus this directive covers:

  • essential requirements with regard to safety, reliability, human health, environmental protection, technical compatibility and operation of the system (Annex III);
  • the technical specifications for interoperability (TSIs) adopted for each subsystem or part of subsystem pursuant to this directive;
  • the corresponding European specifications.

The railway network * is broken down into subsystems of a structural nature (energy, control-command and signalling, rolling stock) or functional (operation and traffic management, maintenance and telematics applications). European Union (EU) countries may request that the Commission grant derogations and the Commission may decide to exclude certain measures from the scope of the directive for specific cases and for a set period *.

TSI projects shall be prepared by the European railway agency which will examine the subsystems in consultation with associations and the social partners. Next, the projects shall be submitted to the European Commission which will modify and adopt them, having regard to the right of scrutiny of the Parliament.

Interoperability constituents
* shall be subject to European specifications (such as European standards). They shall be subject to the procedure for “EC” declaration of conformity or suitability for use.

Authorisations for placing in service of vehicles shall be granted by the national safety authorities responsible for each network.

Context

This Directive is a recast of Directive 2001/16/EC applicable to the conventional rail system and Directive 96/48/EC on the trans-European high-speed rail system.

The pursuit of technical harmonisation aims at developing transport services in the EU and with third countries. It facilitates the integration of the market in equipment and services for the construction, renewal and operation of the rail system.

Key terms used in the Act
  • Interoperability: the ability of a rail system to allow the safe and uninterrupted movement of trains which accomplish the required levels of performance for these lines. This ability depends on all the regulatory, technical and operational conditions which must be met in order to satisfy the essential requirements.
  • Network: the lines, stations, terminals, and all kinds of fixed equipment needed to ensure safe and continuous operation of the rail system.
  • Specific case: any part of the rail system which needs special provisions in the TSIs (temporary or definitive) because of geographical, topographical or urban environment constraints or those affecting compatibility with the existing system. This may include in particular railway lines and networks isolated from the rest of the Community, the loading gauge, the track gauge or space between the tracks and vehicles strictly intended for local, regional or historical use, as well as vehicles originating from or destined for third countries.
  • Interoperability constituents: any elementary component, group of components, subassembly or complete assembly of equipment incorporated or intended to be incorporated into a subsystem. The concept covers both tangible objects and intangible objects (such as software).

References

Act Entry into force Transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Directive 2008/57/EC

19.7.2008

19.7.2010

OJ L 191 of 18.7.2008

Subsequent amendments and corrections to Directive 2008/57/EC have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference purposes only.

Related Acts

Commission Regulation (EU) No 201/2011 of 1 March 2011 on the model of declaration of conformity to an authorised type of railway vehicle [Official Journal L 57 of 2.3.2011].

Commission Decision 2009/107/EC of 23 January 2009 amending Decisions 2006/861/EC and 2006/920/EC concerning technical specifications of interoperability relating to subsystems of the trans-European conventional rail system [notified under number C(2009) 38] (Text with EEA relevance) [Official Journal L 45 of 14.2.2009].

National sides and issuance of euro coins

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National sides and issuance of euro coins

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about National sides and issuance of euro coins

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Economic and monetary affairs > Practical aspects of introducing the euro

National sides and issuance of euro coins

Document or Iniciative

Commission Recommendation 2009/23/EC of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation [Official Journal L 9 of 14.1.2009].

Summary

The Commission makes recommendations to Member States participating in the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) concerning the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation after approval from the Council. These recommendations apply to national sides and edge letterings of both regular and commemorative euro coins intended for circulation.

The common sides of the euro coins bear the name of the currency and the denomination of the coin.

National sides of coins intended for circulation
In compliance with these common guidelines, national sides bear the name of the State issuing the coin, but do not give an indication of its denomination, or the name of the currency (except in the case of the use of a non-Latin alphabet). The design chosen to decorate the national side is surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag. This design should not be modified, except in cases where the Head of State referred to on a coin changes. Issuing Member States are, however, allowed to update their national sides of euro coins in order to fully comply with this Recommendation.

The edge lettering of 2-euro coins can bear an indication of the denomination and/or the term “euro”.

Coins are to be put into circulation at face value. A minor proportion of them, intended for collectors, may be sold at a higher price.

Commemorative 2-euro coins

The design on the national side may be used to commemorate subjects of major national or European relevance. These commemorative coins are also intended for circulation.

When this type of coin is issued, certain rules should be respected:

  • only the 2-euro coin should be used;
  • ceilings established by the State and for the year should limit the volume of coins issued;
  • the total number of commemorative coins should not exceed 0.1 % of the 2-euro coins put into circulation during the previous year in all participating States. Alternatively 5 % of the total number of 2-euro coins brought into circulation by the issuing Member State concerned up to the beginning of the year preceding the year of issuance of the commemorative coin. If a global subject is commemorated, the ceiling may be increased to 2 % of the total number of 2-euro coins in circulation in all participating Member States;
  • the edge lettering should be the same as on regular coins.

Information procedure

The issuing Member State sends designs to the Commission six months before the issue date. The Commission can then ensure that the guidelines contained in this Recommendation have been respected.

The Commission informs participating States via the Economic and Financial Committee’s relevant subcommittee. If and when the Commission considers that the guidelines of this Recommendation have not been complied with, the subcommittee will decide whether to approve the design.

Relevant information on euro coin designs will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Context

Recommendation 2003/734/EC and Recommendation 2005/491/EC are repealed and replaced by the new Recommendation. They also concerned the modification and bringing into circulation of national sides of euro coins.

Issuance of euro coins

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Issuance of euro coins

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Issuance of euro coins

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Economic and monetary affairs > Practical aspects of introducing the euro

Issuance of euro coins

Document or Iniciative

Regulation (EU) No. 651/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the issuance of euro coins.

Summary

Member States may issue two types of euro coins: coins intended for circulation and coins intended for collection.

Coins intended for circulation

Coins intended for circulation are put into circulation at face value.

A minor proportion may be put on the market above face value if justified by the special quality of the coin, a special packaging or any additional services provided.

Each Member State whose currency is the euro may only issue two commemorative coins per year, save where:

  • commemorative coins are collectively issued by all Member States whose currency is the euro; or
  • a commemorative coin is issued on the occasion of a temporary vacancy or a provisional occupation of the function of Head of State.

The total number of commemorative coins put into circulation for each individual issue shall not exceed the higher of the following two ceilings:

  • 0.1 % of the cumulated total net number of 2-euro coins put into circulation by all Member States whose currency is the euro up to the beginning of the year preceding the year of issuance of the commemorative coin. This ceiling may be raised to 2.0 % of the cumulated total net number of 2-euro coins of all Member States whose currency is the euro if a highly symbolic subject is commemorated; or
  • 5.0 % of the cumulated total net number of 2-euro coins put into circulation by the Member State concerned up to the beginning of the year preceding the year of issuance of the commemorative coin.

Collector coins

Collector coins shall have the status of legal tender only in the issuing Member State. The identity of the issuing Member State shall be clearly and easily recognisable on the coin.

In order to differentiate them from circulation coins, collector coins shall meet all of the following criteria:

  • their face value must be different from the face value of circulation coins;
  • their image must be different to the common sides of circulation coins;
  • their colour, diameter and weight must differ significantly from those of circulation coins for at least two of these three characteristics; and
  • they must not have a shaped edge with fine scallops or a ‘Spanish flower’ shape.

Collector coins may be put on the market at or above face value.

Member States shall take all appropriate measures to discourage the use of collector coins as a means of payment.

Consultation prior to the destruction of circulation coins

Prior to the destruction of circulation coins, Member States shall consult each other and inform the Mint Directors of the Member States whose currency is the euro.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EU) No. 651/2012

16.8.2012

–

OJ L 201 of 27.7.2012

Denominations and technical specifications of Euro coins

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Denominations and technical specifications of Euro coins

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Denominations and technical specifications of Euro coins

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Economic and monetary affairs > Practical aspects of introducing the euro

Denominations and technical specifications of Euro coins

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EC) No 975/98 of 3 May 1998 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation [See amending acts].

Summary

This Regulation defines the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins. The rules concerning the technical specifications for euro banknotes are defined in Decision ECB/2003/4.

Define the denominations and technical specifications of euro coins

The first series of euro coins includes 8 denominations: 0.01 euro, 0.02 euro, 0.05 euro, 0.10 euro, 0.20 euro, 0.50 euro, 1 euro, 2 euro. Each coin has a common European side and a national side individual to each Member State. The national side of coins intended for circulation is composed of 12 stars completely encircling the national design, including the year of issue and the name of the issuing Member State. The designs used for the national sides on regular coins can only be changed once every fifteen years.

The technical specificities of these coins are as follows:

2 euro coin

  • diameter (in mm): 25.75
  • weight (g): 8.5
  • colour: external part white, internal part yellow
  • edge: edge lettering, fine milled

1 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 23.25
  • weight (g): 7.5
  • colour: external part yellow, internal part white
  • edge: interrupted milled

0.50 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 24.25
  • weight (g): 7.8
  • colour: yellow
  • edge: fine scallops

0.20 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 22.25
  • weight (g): 5.7
  • colour: yellow
  • edge: plain

0.10 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 19.75
  • weight (g): 4.1
  • colour: yellow
  • edge: fine scallops

0.05 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 21.25
  • weight (g): 3.9
  • colour: red
  • edge: smooth

0.02 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 18.75
  • weight (g): 3
  • colour: red
  • edge: smooth with a groove

0.01 euro coin

  • diameter (mm): 16.25
  • weight (g): 2.3
  • colour: red
  • edge: smooth

Following Regulation (EC) No 423/1999, the weight of the 50 cent coin was thus increased from 7g to 7.8g. The “coarse milled” edges previously chosen for the 0.50 and 0.10 euro coins were replaced by “shaped edges with fine scallops”. The Regulation also determines the metallic structure of the euro coins, for example with regard to the use of nickel.

Commemorative coins

Commemorative coins have a different national design from those of regular coins and are only used for commemorations of significant national or European importance. The edge lettering on commemorative coins is identical to those on regular coins. Only the face value of 2 euros is allowed for commemorate coins.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No 975/98

1.1.1999

–

OJ L 139 of 11.5.1998
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No 423/1999

1.1.1999

–

OJ L 52 of 27.2.1999

Regulation (EU) No 566/2012

19.7.2012

–

OJ L 169 of 29.6.2.12

Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 975/95 have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated versionis for reference purpose only.

Related Acts

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 [Official Journal L339 of 22.12.2010].

This Regulation establishes the rules concerning the authentication and the submissions of euro coins for circulation. In particular, professionals must use machines certified by the EU in order to authenticate the coins. Furthermore, damaged or unfit coins for circulation are sent to the competent national authorities.

Uniform format for visas

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Uniform format for visas

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Uniform format for visas

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Justice freedom and security > Free movement of persons asylum and immigration

Uniform format for visas

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 of 29 May 1995 laying down a uniform format for visas [See amending acts].

Summary

A uniform format for visas

This Regulation lays down a uniform format for visas for all the Member States.

For the purposes of the Regulation, a “visa” means an authorisation given or a decision taken by a Member State, which is required for entry into its territory with a view to:

  • an intended stay in that Member State or in several Member States of no more than three months in all;
  • transit through the territory or airport transit zone of that Member State or several Member States.

The information contained in the uniform format visa must conform to:

  • the technical specifications set out in the Annex to the Regulation that lay down universally recognisable security features clearly visible to the naked eye;
  • the supplementary technical specifications, which aim to prevent counterfeiting and falsification of the visa and provide methods to fill in the visa.

If the supplementary technical specifications are to be kept secret, then they may only be communicated to:

  • the bodies responsible for printing the visas;
  • persons duly authorised by the Commission or a Member State.

Additional measures to ensure a high level of security were adopted by the Commission on 7 February 1996 and 27 December 2000.

Each Member State is to designate only one body as responsible for printing visas. It must communicate the name of this body to the Commission and the other Member States.

As provided by Directive 95/46/EC on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, an individual to whom a visa has been issued may, where appropriate, request corrections be made with regard to their personal details entered onto the visa.

The Commission is assisted in its work on the uniform visa format by a Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by a Commission representative.

Member States may use the uniform visa format for purposes other than those mentioned above, as long as no confusion ensues with this uniform visa.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 1683/95

3.8.1995

–

OJ L 164 of 14.7.1995
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 334/2002

15.3.2002

–

OJ L 53 of 23.2.2002
Regulation (EC) No 856/2008

22.9.2008

–

OJ L 235 of 2.9.2008

Related Acts

Council Regulation (EC) No 333/2002 of 18 February 2002 on a uniform format for forms for affixing the visa issued by Member States to persons holding travel documents which are not recognised by the Member State drawing up the form [Official Journal L 53 of 23.2.2002].
This Regulation confines itself to a description of the uniform format in the interests of greater safety. A format for this form is annexed to the proposal. Technical specifications are established to ensure a certain level of security against counterfeiting, falsification and theft. They are secret, not published and made available only to the bodies designated by the Member States as responsible for the printing of the forms.
The uniform format for the form must be in use in the Member States no later than two years after the adoption of the above specifications.
The introduction of a new format does not affect the validity of authorisations already granted, unless the Member State concerned decides otherwise. With regard to the protection of personal data, Directive 95/46/EC has been complied with.

Medals and tokens similar to euro coins

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Medals and tokens similar to euro coins

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Medals and tokens similar to euro coins

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Fight against fraud > Fight against counterfeiting

Medals and tokens similar to euro coins

Document or Iniciative

Council Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 of 6 December 2004 concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins [See amending act(s)].

Summary

The regulation is designed to protect the public from the risk of confusion or fraud caused by metallic objects, such as medals and tokens, with strong similarities to euro coins. Not only could such medals and tokens be mistaken for legal tender, they could also be used illegally instead of euro coins.

The regulation prohibits the production, sale, importation and distribution (for sale or for other commercial purposes) of medals and tokens having visual characteristics or properties similar to the single currency. Medals and tokens must not bear the term “euro” or “euro cent” or the euro symbol on their surface. Nor may they include any design similar to designs depicted on euro coins, symbols representing the sovereignty of Member States, the edge shape or design of euro coins or the euro symbol. Lastly, medals and tokens must not be of the same size as euro coins. The Commission is to specify whether a metallic object is a medal or token and whether the prohibitions of this regulation apply.

Medals and tokens bearing the term “euro” or “euro cent” or the euro symbol without an associated nominal value are allowed, provided that their size is sufficiently different from that of euro coins and that they do not include a design similar to the designs and symbols listed above. If, however, they are very similar in size, they must either have a hole in their centre or form a polygon of not more than six edges, or be made of gold, silver or platinum, or be consistently outside the ranges specified.

The Commission may grant specific authorisations to use the term “euro” or “euro cent” or the euro symbol where there is no risk of confusion. In such cases, the economic operator concerned within a Member State must be clearly identifiable on the surface of the medal or token. If the medal or token also bears an associated nominal value, the indication “not legal tender” must be stamped on its obverse or reverse side in addition.

The denominations and technical specifications of euro coins, the only coinage having legal tender in the euro zone, are laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 975/98. For the purposes of the new regulation, medals and tokens are defined as metallic objects that have the appearance and/or technical properties of euro coins, but that are not issued under national or participating third-country legislative provisions or other foreign legislative provisions and that therefore are neither a legal means of payment nor legal tender.

Medals and tokens issued before the entry into force of the regulation may be used until the end of 2009, provided that they are not used instead of euro coins. Such medals and tokens must be recorded in accordance with the procedures applicable in Member States and communicated to the European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC).

This regulation is applicable in all Member States that introduced the euro in 2002 (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain), but its scope is extended by Regulation (EC) No 2183/2004 as amended by Regulation (EC) No 47/2009 to Member States not participating in the monetary union. Member States are to lay down and implement rules on sanctions applicable to infringements of the regulation by 1 July 2005.

REFERENCES

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004

21.12.2004

–

OJ L 373 of 21.12.2004
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EC) No 46/2009

11.2.2009

–

OJ L 17 of 22.1.2009