Evaluation of the 2002 cash changeover

The ECB is today publishing its report on the evaluation of the 2002 cash changeover.

The report offers a comprehensive overview and assessment of the introduction of euro banknotes and coins in the euro area, which was successfully completed by end-February 2002. This success was mainly due to meticulous and well co-ordinated preparations for the cash changeover, based on co-operation between all parties involved, as well as to the great acceptance by the public of their new common currency. Moreover, communication, including extensive information campaigns at both the national and European level, played an important part. The report also points out that far fewer problems were encountered than expected. Finally, the Eurosystem's Cash Changeover Co-ordination Committee (CashCo), which acted as a central co-ordinating body from March 2001, has fulfilled its mandate and has been dissolved.

The report is now available on the ECB's website. A hard copy may be obtained by sending a written request either by fax or by e-mail ([email protected]) to the ECB's Press and Information Division.