This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Cooperation between EU countries in recovering proceeds from crime
It establishes the requirements for the setting up of national Asset Recovery Offices (AROs) in EU countries.
The purpose of AROs is to facilitate the tracing and identification of proceeds of crime which may become the subject of a freezing, seizure or confiscation order, as part of a criminal or civil investigation.
EU countries are required to establish or designate at least one ARO (maximum 2) in their territory. AROs are obliged to exchange information with each other irrespective of their status (law enforcement, judicial or administrative).
An ARO, or another authority of an EU country with similar responsibilities, may make a request for information from an ARO of another EU country for information as part of a criminal or civil investigation. The request should include details of:
An ARO may, without request, spontaneously exchange information which they consider necessary for the execution of tasks of the ARO of another EU country.
It has applied since 18 December 2007.
Following on from the Framework Decision, the European Commission launched an informal platform to further enhance EU cooperation and coordinate exchanges of information and best practice.
Council Decision 2007/845/JHA of 6 December 2007 concerning cooperation between Asset Recovery Offices of the Member States in the field of tracing and identification of proceeds from, or other property related to, crime (OJ L 332, 18.12.2007, pp. 103-105)
Directive 2014/42/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the freezing and confiscation of instrumentalities and proceeds of crime in the European Union (OJ L 127, 29.4.2014, pp. 39-50). Corrections to Directive 2014/42/EU have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.
Council Framework Decision 2003/577/JHA of 22 July 2003 on the execution in the European Union of orders freezing property or evidence (OJ L 196, 2.8.2003, pp. 45-55). See consolidated version.
Council Framework Decision 2006/783/JHA of 6 October 2006 on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to confiscation orders (OJ L 328, 24.11.2006, pp. 59-78). See consolidated version.
last update 25.04.2016