For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply:
1. 'cash' means euro banknotes and coins;
2. 'cash industry' means credit institutions offering payment accounts to customers and cash service providers involved in the managing of the distribution and circulation of euro banknotes and coins;
3. 'credit institution' means a credit institution as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 [Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012, OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1-337.] of the European Parliament and of the Council;
4. 'ex ante unilateral exclusions of cash' means a situation when a retailer or service provider unilaterally excludes cash as a payment method for example by introducing a 'no cash' sign. In this case, the payer and payee do not freely agree to a means of payment for a purchase;
5. 'payer' me
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