HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 39/12
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
9.2.2013
REGULATION (EU) No 99/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 15 January 2013
on the European statistical programme 2013-17
(Text with relevance for the EEA and for Switzerland)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
(4) The
development,
production
and
dissemination
of
EUROPEAN UNION,
European statistics within the legislative framework of
the multiannual programme should be achieved
through close and coordinated cooperation within the
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
European Statistical System (ESS) between the Union stat
Union, and in particular Article 338(1) thereof,
istical authority, which is the Commission (Eurostat), and
the national statistical institutes and other national auth
orities as designated by the Member States ( 3 ) (collec
tively, ‘national statistical authorities’). Professional inde
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
pendence of the national statistical institutes and the
Commission (Eurostat) is essential for providing
credible and high-quality statistical data.
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
parliaments,
(5) Closer
cooperation
between
the
Commission
(Eurostat)
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure ( 1 ),
and the national statistical institutes is absolutely
essential, in order to enhance the quality of European
statistics. Such closer cooperation should focus mainly
on the provision of further methodological training on
Whereas:
statistics and related matters, on the development and
dissemination of existing good practices within the ESS,
and on the exchange of staff between the Member States
(1) Solid
empirical
data
and
statistics
are
absolutely
essential
and the Commission (Eurostat) in both directions.
in order to measure the progress and evaluate the effi
ciency of the Union’s policies and programmes, especially
in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy set out in the
Commission Communication of 3 March 2010 entitled
‘Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and
(6)
The implementation of the multiannual programme is an
inclusive growth’ (Europe 2020).
opportunity to produce harmonised European statistics
in order to contribute to the development, production
and dissemination of common, comparable and reliable
statistical information at Union level.
(2) Pursuant
to
Regulation
(EC)
No
223/2009
of
the
European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March
2009 on European statistics ( 2 ), a multiannual European
statistical programme (the ‘multiannual programme’)
should be established, providing a framework for
(7) High-quality statistics developed, produced and
funding Union actions.
disseminated under the multiannual programme are
essential for evidence-based decision-making, should be
available in a timely manner and should contribute to the
(3) In
accordance
with
Regulation
(EC)
No
223/2009,
the
implementation of Union policies as reflected in the
multiannual programme should provide the framework
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
for the development, production and dissemination of
(TFEU) and Europe 2020 and other policies addressed
European statistics, the main fields and the objectives
in the Commission’s strategic priorities for 2010-14,
of the actions envisaged for a period not exceeding five
namely strengthened and integrated economic
years. It should lay down priorities concerning the needs
governance, climate change, reformed agricultural
for information for the purpose of carrying out the
policy, growth and social cohesion, gender equality, a
activities of the Union. Those needs should be weighed
people’s Europe and globalisation. They should be
against the resources needed at Union and national level
fostered through actions which are financed under the
to provide the required statistics, and also against the
multiannual programme where the Union can bring a
response burden and the respondents’ associated costs,
clear added value, and which aim at ensuring that
paying particular attention to cost-effectiveness.
economic, social and environmental indicators are all
treated on an equal footing.
( 1 ) Position of the European Parliament of 12 December 2012 (not yet
published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of
( 3 ) Without prejudice to Article 5 of Protocol No 4 on the Statute of
20 December 2012.
the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central
( 2 ) OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164.
Bank.

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9.2.2013 Official
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Union L
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(8) When
defining
statistical
areas
to
be
developed,
the
the specific purposes they are serving, and there is an
objectives of Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 of the
increasing need for complex multidimensional statistics
European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July
supporting composite policy areas. In order to respond
2011 on European environmental economic accounts ( 1 ),
correctly to policy-making requirements, gender
which relate to the development of new environmental
disaggregated data is necessary, where appropriate.
economic account modules, should be taken into
account.
(15) Sixth,
due
to
the
appearance
of
new
actors
on
the
information market, including those providing
(9) In
addition,
particular
attention
should
be
paid
in
stat
information in nearly real time, the priority for the ESS
istical studies to the impact of fiscal consolidation
in future is high quality, including timeliness.
programmes on workers and other citizens. Statistical

data should be collected in such a way as to ensure
the visibility of developments in individual Member
States, such as developments regarding unemployment,
the amount of and changes to social transfer payments,
(16) Seventh,
budget
constraints
at
both
national
and
Union
the number and quality of jobs, labour mobility within
level as well as the need to further reduce the burden on
the Member States, within the Union and between the
enterprises and citizens make the situation even more
Union and third countries, and the related socio-
challenging.
geographical changes in pay structure and training
measures.
(17) The
Commission
Communication
of
10
August
2009
on
the production method of EU statistics: a vision for the
(10) In recent years, the ESS has been faced with a number of
next decade, and the ESS strategy for its implementation,
challenges. First, a lack of high-quality national statistics
address all those seven challenges by aiming to reen
can have detrimental effects on Member States and on
gineer the ways of working in the ESS in order to
the Union in general. Consistently accurate and high-
make it more efficient and flexible. The implementation
quality statistics, produced by the professionally inde
of that Communication constitutes the core of the multi
pendent national statistical institutes, are therefore
annual programme within the framework of the joint
absolutely essential for the purposes of policy-making
ESS strategy.
at national and at Union level, and, in particular, in the
context of the euro area’s supervisory mechanisms.
(18) To
ensure
the
integrity
and
quality
management
of
the
(11) Second, the need for European statistics has been
development, production and dissemination of European
constantly increasing, and this trend is unlikely to
statistics under this Regulation, the national statistical
change in the future. Economic globalisation represents
institutes and the Commission (Eurostat) should take all
a specific challenge, requiring the development of new
necessary measures to maintain public confidence in stat
metrics to measure global value chains in an inter
istics and to allow for a more rigorous application of the
nationally coordinated way, thereby providing a better
European Statistics Code of Practice in force and of the
picture of economic growth and job creation.
Commission Communication of 15 April 2011 entitled
‘Towards robust quality management for European Stat
istics’, while complying with the principles set out
therein.
(12) Third, the nature of needs is constantly changing,
requiring more synergy between statistical domains.
(19) With the aim of better matching the limited resources
available to national and European producers for
(13) Fourth,
appropriate
breakdowns
of
available
data
can
producing European statistics with the increasing needs
make it easier to monitor the effects of the economic
for statistics, the preparation phase of the Commission’s
and financial crisis and the impact of implemented
annual statistical work programmes, which spell out in
policies on citizens, including the most vulnerable.
detail the multiannual programme, should include a
systematic and thorough review of statistical priorities
that will reduce less important requirements and
simplify existing processes, while at the same time
(14) Fifth,
the
nature
of
statistics
has
changed.
They
are
no
improving the reliability and maintaining the high-
longer merely one source of information for policy-
quality standards of official statistics. Account should
making purposes, but are now at the very heart of the
also be taken of the burden on respondents, be they
decision-making process. Evidence-based decision-making
businesses, central, regional or local government units,
requires statistics that meet high-quality criteria linked to
households or individuals. The process should be
pursued in close cooperation with both the users and
( 1 ) OJ L 192, 22.7.2011, p. 1.
the producers of European statistics.

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Official Journal of the European Union
9.2.2013
(20) In this context, reasonable financial burden-sharing
No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the
between the budgets of the Union and the Member
Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules
States should be achieved. In addition to the financial
applicable to the general budget of the Union ( 1 ) (‘the
allocation set by this Regulation, the national statistical
Financial Regulation’), the annual work programmes
authorities should therefore receive at national level the
adopted by the Commission for the implementation of
appropriate funding for carrying out the individual stat
the multiannual programme have to set out the
istical actions decided for the implementation of the
objectives pursued, the expected results, the method of
multiannual programme.
implementation and their total amount. They must also
contain a description of the actions to be financed, an
indication of the amount allocated to each action and an
indicative implementation timetable. It is desirable that
(21) In
view
of
the
compliance
burden,
particularly
on
smaller
they also set out the relevance of the objectives pursued
Member States, the Commission (Eurostat) should be able
to the users’ needs and a project plan. For grants, they
to provide technical assistance and expertise to Member
should include the priorities, the essential evaluation
States to help them tackle research constraints and major
criteria and the maximum rate of co-financing.
methodological obstacles, with a view to ensuring
Moreover, the annual work programmes should include
compliance and the provision of high-quality data.
appropriate indicators for monitoring outcomes.
(22) The
financial
envelope
of
the
multiannual
programme
(28) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to establish
should also be allocated in such a way as to cover the
the multiannual programme, cannot be sufficiently
expenses needed for improving the process for producing
achieved by the Member States and can therefore be
high-quality European statistics, and the capacity to do
better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt
so, and for the training needs of national statisticians.
measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity
as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union.
In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set
(23) Financial
contributions
by
the
Union
should
support
out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond
actions for the development, production and dissemi
what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
nation of European statistics as set out in this Regulation.
They should take the form of grants, public procurement
contracts or any other interventions needed for the
(29) An ex-ante evaluation has been performed in accordance
purposes of achieving the objectives of the multiannual
with the principle of sound financial management, in
programme. In this context, the use of lump sums should
order to focus the multiannual programme on the need
be a principal means of simplifying grant management.
for effectiveness and efficiency in achieving its objectives
and in order to incorporate budgetary constraints from
the design phase of the multiannual programme
(24) Pursuant
to
Article
15
of
Regulation
(EC)
No
223/2009,
onwards. The value and impact of the measures taken
an adequate financial structure should be developed to
under the multiannual programme should be regularly
support collaborative networks.
monitored and evaluated, including by independent
external evaluators. For the purpose of evaluating the
multiannual programme, measurable objectives have
been formulated and indicators developed.
(25) Provision
should be made to open the multiannual
programme to participation of the countries of the
European Free Trade Association participating in the
European Economic Area (‘the EEA/EFTA countries’)
(30) For
2013,
this
Regulation
lays
down
a
financial
envelope
and to Switzerland. Provision should also be made to
for the multiannual programme, which, in the framework
open the multiannual programme to participation by
of the annual budgetary procedure, is to be the prime
other countries, in particular the neighbouring countries
reference for the budgetary authority within the meaning
of the Union, countries which have applied for
of point 37 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of
membership of the Union and candidate and acceding
17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the
countries.
Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline
and sound financial management ( 2 ).
(26) In the context of the implementation of the multiannual
programme, where appropriate, cooperation with third
(31) In addition to the financial envelope set by this Regu
countries not participating in the multiannual
lation, the individual statistical actions aimed at imple
programme should be encouraged, taking into account
menting the multiannual programme, including actions
any relevant agreements, or any envisaged agreements,
taking the form of an agreement between the national
between those countries and the Union.
statistical authorities and the Commission (Eurostat),
should receive, to the extent possible, appropriate
funding at national level.
(27) In order to be considered as financing decisions
( 1 ) OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1.
according to Article 84(3) of Regulation (EU, Euratom)
( 2 ) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

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Union L
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(32) The
impact
assessment
for
this
Regulation,
indicating
statistics, the main fields and the objectives of the actions
cost savings for the Union and the Member States, is
envisaged for the period from 2013 to 2017, in accordance
the basis for the commitment of finances to the multi
with Articles 13 and 14 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.
annual programme. Cost savings will result, in particular,
from new methods of production of European statistics
resulting from developments in the areas of information
2. The
programme
does
not
cover
measures
provided
for
by
and communication technology.
the Programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise
and Trade Statistics (‘the MEETS Programme’), established by
(33) The
financial
interests
of
the
Union
should
be
protected
Decision No 1297/2008/EC of the European Parliament and
through proportionate measures throughout the expen
of the Council ( 3 ), until the end of the MEETS Programme on
diture cycle, including the prevention, detection and
31 December 2013, but includes objectives in the area of
investigation of irregularities, the recovery of funds lost,
enterprise and trade statistics planned to be implemented
wrongly paid or incorrectly used and, where appropriate,
from 2014 to 2017.
penalties.
(34) In
order
to
ensure
the
continuity
of
statistical
operations
Article 4
under the ESS for the entire calendar year of 2013, and
for the purpose of legal certainty, this Regulation should
Objectives
enter into force on the day of its publication and should
1. The general objective of the programme is for the
apply from 1 January 2013. The date of application of
European Statistical System (ESS) to continue to be the
this Regulation should, in particular, serve to justify
leading provider of high-quality statistics on Europe.
payments to contract staff as well as all activities under
the programme.
2. Bearing in mind the available resources both at national
(35) In
accordance
with
Regulation
(EC)
No
223/2009,
the
and Union level as well as the response burden, the following
draft multiannual programme has been submitted for
specific objectives shall be pursued in statistical actions
prior examination to the European Statistical System
undertaken for the implementation of the programme:
Committee, to the European Statistical Advisory
Committee established by Decision No 234/2008/EC of
the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 ) and to
— Objective 1: provide statistical information, in a timely
the Committee on Monetary, Financial and Balance of
manner, to support the development, monitoring and
Payments Statistics established by Council Decision
evaluation of the policies of the Union properly reflecting
2006/856/EC ( 2 ),
priorities, while keeping a balance between economic, social
and environmental fields and serving the needs of the wide
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
range of users of European statistics, including other
Article 1
decision-makers, researchers, businesses and European
citizens in general, in a cost-effective manner without
Establishment of the European statistical programme
unnecessary duplication of effort,
The European statistical programme for the period from 2013
to 2017 (‘the programme’) is hereby established.
— Objective 2: implement new methods of production of
European statistics aiming at efficiency gains and quality
Article 2
improvements,
Added value
The programme represents the added value of ensuring that
— Objective 3: strengthen the partnership within the ESS and
European statistics are focused on the information needed to
beyond in order to further enhance its productivity and its
design, implement, monitor and evaluate Union policies. In
leading role in official statistics worldwide, and
addition, it contributes to the effective use of resources by
fostering actions which provide an essential contribution to
the development, production and dissemination of harmonised,
— Objective 4: ensure that delivery of such statistics is kept
comparable, reliable, user-friendly and accessible statistical
consistent throughout the whole duration of the
information based on uniform standards and common prin
programme, provided that this does not interfere with the
ciples set out in the European Statistics Code of Practice
priority-setting mechanisms of the ESS.
(‘Code of Practice’), as adopted by the European Statistical
System Committee (ESSC), in particular the quality criteria of
relevance, accuracy and reliability, timeliness and punctuality,
3. The
general
and
specific
objectives
referred
to
in
para
accessibility and clarity, and coherence and comparability.
graphs 1 and 2 are elaborated further in the Annex, together
with the indicators used for monitoring the implementation of
Article 3
the programme. In accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009, the programme shall be
Scope
subject to detailed annual planning which will include a
1. This
Regulation
provides
the
programming
framework
for priority-setting mechanism as an integral part of the process.
the development, production and dissemination of European
The objectives of the programme shall be achieved through
close and coordinated cooperation in the ESS. The
( 1 ) OJ L 73, 15.3.2008, p. 13.
( 2 ) OJ L 332, 30.11.2006, p. 21.
( 3 ) OJ L 340, 19.12.2008, p. 76.

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Official Journal of the European Union
9.2.2013
programme shall include the development of appropriate
5. In the interest of transparency, the Commission (Eurostat)
instruments resulting in enhanced quality, a greater flexibility
shall, where appropriate, disclose publicly its assessment of the
of the ESS and the increased ability to satisfy users’ needs in a
quality of national contributions to European statistics as part of
timely manner. It shall also pioneer the development of reliable
the quality reporting and compliance monitoring exercise.
indicators able to meet the challenges of the 21st century,
namely measuring environmental sustainability, quality of life
and social cohesion, and record economic activity in the
tertiary sector and the social economy.
6. The
Commission
(Eurostat)
shall
consider
how
to
make
its
publications, particularly those which are accessible via its
website, more user-friendly to non-professionals, and shall
Article 5
allow easy access to complete data series and include intuitive
comparative graphs in order to give more added value to
Statistical governance, independence, transparency and
citizens. The periodic updates of the Commission (Eurostat)
quality
shall provide, where possible, information on each Member
1. European
statistics
shall
be
produced
in
a
professionally State and shall offer annual, monthly and long-term data
independent and transparent manner.
series, where appropriate, and where the benefits are greater
than the costs of collection.
2. The
programme
shall
be
implemented
in
accordance
with
the principles of the Code of Practice with a view to producing
and disseminating high-quality, harmonised and comparable
Article 6
European statistics in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation
Statistical priority-setting
(EC) No 223/2009, and ensuring the proper functioning of the
ESS as a whole. The national statistical institutes and the Union
1. The
programme
shall
ensure
statistical
initiatives
under
statistical authority (Commission (Eurostat)) shall ensure,
pinning the development, implementation and monitoring of
through their professional independence, that European stat
current Union policies and shall provide statistical support for
istics comply with the Code of Practice.
important requirements resulting from new Union policy
initiatives.
3. The national statistical institutes and other national auth
orities as designated by the Member States (collectively, ‘national
statistical authorities’), and the Commission (Eurostat), which are
2. The Commission shall, in the preparation of the annual
responsible for the development, production and dissemination
work programmes referred to in Article 9, ensure effective
of European statistics, shall:
priority-setting and an annual review of, and report on, stat
istical priorities. The annual work programmes will thereby aim
to ensure that European statistics can be produced within the
— aim to reinforce an institutional and organisational
available resources at the national and the Union level. Prioriti
environment which promotes the coordination, effectiveness
sation shall contribute to the reduction of costs and burdens for
and credibility of national statistical authorities and the
new statistical requirements by reducing statistical requirements
Commission (Eurostat) producing and disseminating
in existing domains of European statistics and shall be pursued
European statistics,
in close cooperation with the Member States.
— place emphasis on the statistical principles set out in
Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and the
3. The
Commission
shall
ensure
the
development
and
imple
needs of users,
mentation of instruments to annually review the priorities of
statistical activities in order to contribute to the reduction of
costs and burdens on data providers and producers of statistics.
— serve the needs of Union institutional users in accordance
with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009, and seek to develop
statistics which serve a wide range of users of European
statistics, including other decision-makers, researchers, busi
4. When
putting
forward
new
actions
or
introducing
major
nesses and European citizens in general, and
revisions of existing statistics, the Commission shall duly justify
such actions or revisions and shall provide information with
input from Member States on response burden and production
— cooperate with statistical bodies at international level in
costs in accordance with Article 14(3) of Regulation (EC) No
order to promote the use of international concepts, classifi
223/2009.
cations, methods and other standards, in particular, with a
view to ensuring more coherence and better comparability
at global level.
Article 7
Financing
4. Each
Member
State
shall
endeavour
to
ensure
that
its
statistical production processes are set up in a standardised
1. The Union financial envelope for the implementation of
manner and are enhanced, to the extent possible, by audit
the programme for 2013 is set at EUR 57,3 million, covered by
mechanisms.
the programming period 2007 to 2013.

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2. Not
later
than
three
months
after
the
adoption
of
the general and specific objectives referred to in Article 4(1) and (2).
multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-20 (‘MFF
Priority shall be given to actions with high added value for the
2014 to 2020’), the Commission is invited to submit to the
Union in accordance with Article 2.
European Parliament and to the Council a legislative proposal
introducing the financial allocation for the period 2014 to
2017.
2. A
financial
contribution
to
support
collaborative
networks
as referred to in Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009
may take the form of grants for an action and may cover up to
95 % of the eligible costs.
3. The
Commission
shall
implement
the
Union
financial
support in accordance with the Financial Regulation.
3. Where
appropriate,
operating
grants,
not
exceeding
50
%
of the eligible costs, may be awarded for the functioning of
4.
The Commission shall adopt its decision on annual appro
organisations referred to in Article 12(3).
priations in compliance with the prerogatives of the budgetary
authority.
4. As
a
contribution
to
expenses
incurred
by
the
Member
States in carrying out actions based on data collection, a lump
sum per set of data, the complete results of which are to be
Article 8
forwarded to the Commission, may be paid up to a maximum
Administrative and technical assistance
threshold defined per data collection. The amount of the lump
sum shall be defined by the Commission taking due account of
The financial allocation for the programme may cover expenses
the complexity of the data collection.
pertaining to preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and
evaluation activities which are required for the management
of the programme and the achievement of its objectives; in
Article 12
particular, studies, meetings of experts, expenses linked to the
Beneficiaries eligible for grants
reimbursement of statistical experts, information and communi
cation actions, expenses linked to IT networks focusing on
1. In accordance with the second subparagraph of
information processing and exchange, together with all other
Article 128(1) of the Financial Regulation, grants to the
technical and administrative assistance expenses incurred by the
national statistical authorities identified in Article 5(2) of Regu
Commission for the management of the programme. The allo
lation (EC) No 223/2009 may be awarded without a call for
cation may also cover technical assistance and expertise
proposals.
provided to Member States which are unable to produce
certain European statistics or statistics of the required quality
due to specific circumstances.
2. Collaborative
networks
may
involve
beneficiaries
referred
to in paragraph 1 and other bodies without a call for proposals
in accordance with Article 128(1) of the Financial Regulation.
Article 9
3. The
operating
grants
referred
to
in
Article
11(3)
may
be
Annual work programmes
awarded to organisations which comply with both of the
In order to implement the programme, the Commission shall
following criteria:
adopt annual work programmes which shall satisfy the
requirements laid down in Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No
(a) they are non-profit making, are independent of industry,
223/2009 and which shall set out the objectives pursued by
commercial and business or other conflicting interests,
them and their expected results, in accordance with the general
and have as their primary objectives and activities the
and specific objectives referred to in Article 4(1) and (2) of this
promotion and support of the implementation of the
Regulation. Each annual work programme shall be
Code of Practice and the implementation of new methods
communicated to the European Parliament for information
of production of European statistics aiming at efficiency
purposes.
gains and quality improvements at Union level; and
Article 10
(b) they have provided the Commission with satisfactory
accounts of their membership, internal rules and sources
Types of intervention
of funding.
Financial contributions by the Union may take the form of
grants, public procurement contracts or any other interventions
Article 13
needed for the purposes of achieving the general and specific
objectives referred to in Article 4(1) and (2).
Protection of the financial interests of the Union
1. The
Commission
shall
take
appropriate
measures
to
ensure that, when actions financed under this Regulation are
Article 11
implemented, the financial interests of the Union are protected
Eligible actions
by the application of preventive measures against fraud,
corruption and any other illegal activities, by consistent and
1. A
financial
contribution
by
the
Union
shall
support effective checks and, if irregularities are detected, by the
actions for the development, production and dissemination of
recovery of the amounts wrongly paid and, where appropriate,
European statistics needed for the purposes of achieving the
by effective, proportionate and deterrent penalties.

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Official Journal of the European Union
9.2.2013
2. The
Commission
or
its
representatives
and
the
Court
of (c) countries to which the European Neighbourhood Policy
Auditors shall have the competence to audit, on the basis of
applies, countries which have applied for membership of
documents and on-the-spot checks, all grant beneficiaries,
the Union, candidate and acceding countries, and the
contractors and subcontractors who have received funding
western Balkan countries included in the stabilisation and
within the framework of this Regulation.
association process, in accordance with the conditions laid
down in the respective bilateral or multilateral agreements
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) shall, where appro
with those countries establishing the general principles for
priate, carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections of
their participation in Union programmes.
economic operators concerned directly or indirectly by such
funding in accordance with the procedures laid down in
Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November
Article 15
1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out
Evaluation and review of the programme
by the Commission in order to protect the European Commun
ities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (
1. The
Commission
shall,
after
consulting
the
ESSC,
submit

1 ),
with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud,
an intermediate progress report on the implementation of the
corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial
programme to the European Parliament and to the Council by
interests of the Union in connection with a grant agreement,
30 June 2015.
grant decision or contract funded pursuant to this Regulation.
2. No
later
than
31
December
2016,
the
Commission
may,
Without prejudice to the first and second subparagraphs,
on the basis of the intermediate progress report referred to in
cooperation agreements with third countries and international
paragraph 1, and after consulting the ESSC, submit to the
organisations, and grant agreements, grant decisions and
European Parliament and to the Council a proposal for the
contracts resulting from the implementation of this Regulation
extension of the programme for the period from 2018 to
shall expressly empower the Commission, the Court of Auditors
2020, while complying with the MFF 2014 to 2020.
and OLAF to conduct such audits, on-the-spot checks and
inspections.
3. By
31
December
2018,
the
Commission
shall,
after
Article 14
consulting the ESSC and the European Statistical Advisory
Committee, submit a final evaluation report on the implemen
Participation in the programme by third countries
tation of the programme to the European Parliament and to the
Participation in the programme shall be open to:
Council.
(a) the EEA/EFTA countries, in accordance with the conditions
Article 16
established in the Agreement on the European Economic
Area;
Entry into force
(b) Switzerland, in accordance with the conditions established
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its
in the Agreement of 26 October 2004 between the
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
European Community and the Swiss Confederation on
cooperation in the field of statistics ( 2 ); and
It shall apply from 1 January 2013.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Strasbourg, 15 January 2013.
For the European Parliament
For the Council
The President
The President
M. SCHULZ
L. CREIGHTON
( 1 ) OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2.
( 2 ) OJ L 90, 28.3.2006, p. 2.

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ANNEX
Statistical infrastructure and objectives of the European statistical programme 2013 to 2017
Introduction
The implementation of Union policies requires high-quality, comparable and reliable statistical information about the
economic, social and environmental situation in the Union and its components at national and regional level. European
statistics are also indispensable for Europe, allowing the general public and European citizens to understand as well as to
take part in the democratic process and debate about the present and future of the Union.
The European statistical programme provides the legislative framework for the development, production and dissemi
nation of European statistics over the period 2013 to 2017.
European statistics are developed, produced and disseminated under that legislative framework through close and coor
dinated cooperation within the European Statistical System (ESS).
Statistics developed, produced and disseminated under the European statistical programme 2013 to 2017 (‘the
programme’) contribute to the implementation of the Union’s policies as reflected in the TFEU and Europe 2020 and
its respective flagship initiatives and other policies set out in the Commission’s strategic priorities.
Given the fact that the programme is a multiannual programme covering a period of five years, and that the ESS aims to
maintain its role as a key player in the statistical field, the programme is ambitious in terms of scope and objectives, but
the implementation of the programme will follow a step-wise approach. The development of an effective priority-setting
and simplification mechanism will be an objective of the programme.
Statistical infrastructure
The programme will strive to establish a statistical information infrastructure. This infrastructure has to be prepared for
the wide and intensive use of various applications.
Policy-making drives the decisions to produce European statistics. However, those statistics should also be available and
easily accessible to other decision-makers, researchers, businesses and European citizens in general as they constitute a
public good and are paid for by European citizens and businesses, who should benefit equally from the services provided.
For the infrastructure to fulfil this role it has to be designed according to a sound conceptual framework which, on the
one hand, ensures fitness for a range of purposes and, on the other hand, allows flexible adaptation to evolving users’
needs in the years ahead.
The infrastructure of statistical information is presented below:
STATISTICAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Legend
Data: information compiled by national statistical authorities, on the basis of traditional statistical activities (sample
surveys, censuses, etc.) and data from other sources that are reused for statistical purposes. This information is
tailored to serve needs in specific policy areas, e.g. the labour market, migration or agriculture.

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The term also includes data collected for administrative purposes but used by national statistical authorities for statistical
purposes (usually referred to as data from administrative sources).
Accounting systems: coherent and integrated accounts, balance sheets and tables based on a set of internationally agreed
rules. An accounting framework ensures a high profile of consistency and comparability; statistical data can be compiled
and presented in a format that is designed for the purposes of analysis and policy-making.
Indicators: an indicator is a summary measure related to a key issue or phenomenon and derived from a series of
observed facts. Indicators can be used to reveal relative positions or show positive or negative change. Indicators are
usually a direct input into Union and global policies. In strategic policy fields they are important for setting targets and
monitoring their achievement.
Within this overarching scheme, the programme will further distinguish three pillars of statistical information: Business;
People’s Europe; and Geospatial, Environmental, Agricultural and Other Sectoral Statistics.
Union and relevant global policies are the instruments that specify the statistical requirements to which the programme
will respond through the re-engineered structure and corresponding production processes. Therefore, each individual
Union and global policy is reflected in the different components of the statistical infrastructure and is covered by specific
activities in the programme. New policies identified in the years ahead will be covered by establishing new derivation
paths of indicators/accounts based on the statistical data produced within the three pillars.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION — STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS
Objectives
The general objective of the programme is for the ESS to continue to be the leading provider of high-quality statistics on
Europe.
Bearing in mind the available resources both at national and Union level as well as the response burden, the following
specific objectives shall be pursued in statistical actions undertaken for the implementation of the programme:
— Objective 1: provide statistical information in a timely manner, to support the development, monitoring and
evaluation of the policies of the Union properly reflecting priorities, while keeping a balance between economic,
social and environmental fields and serving the needs of the wide range of users of European statistics, including other
decision-makers, researchers, businesses and European citizens in general, in a cost-effective manner without
unnecessary duplication of effort;
— Objective 2: implement new methods of production of European statistics aiming at efficiency gains and quality
improvements;
— Objective 3: strengthen the partnership within the ESS and beyond in order to further enhance its productivity and its
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— Objective 4: ensure that delivery of such statistics is kept consistent throughout the whole duration of the programme,
provided that this does not interfere with the priority-setting mechanisms of the ESS.
Those specific objectives are split into different priority areas described below. Objectives 1 and 4 are covered by ‘I.
Statistical outputs’, Objective 2 by ‘II. Production methods of European statistics’ and Objective 3 by ‘III. Partnership’.
I. STATISTICAL OUTPUTS
1. Indicators
1.1. Europe 2020
The endorsement of Europe 2020 by the European Council of June 2010 has shaped to a large extent the strategic
agenda for the Union and national policies in the years ahead. That agenda establishes a number of headline targets and
flagship initiatives for which statistical indicators have to be delivered by the ESS in a number of areas (i.e. improving the
conditions for innovation, research and development, promoting employment, meeting Union climate change and energy
objectives, resource efficiency, improving education levels, including learning mobility, active and healthy ageing, and
promoting social inclusion through the reduction of poverty).
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 1 . 1
Provide high-quality statistical information, which should be available in a timely manner, to monitor the implementation
of Europe 2020. New indicators shall, to the extent possible, be based on available statistical data.
The objective will be implemented by the making available of:
— updated headline target indicators for Europe 2020 (in the areas of employment, research and development, inno
vation, energy/climate change, education, environment, social protection, social inclusion and poverty) on the
Commission (Eurostat) website;
— statistics to support the monitoring of the implementation of Europe 2020 flagship initiatives;
— additional indicators as an input for the ex-ante and ex-post evaluations of the economic, social and environmental
policies of the Union; and
— employment indicators distinguishing between part-time and full-time employment, as well as indicators on
unemployment that take into account people in activation policies such as training.
1.2. Economic governance
The crisis and the tensions in the financial markets have highlighted the need to strengthen the economic governance of
the Union. Decisive steps in economic governance and coordination have already been taken by the Union, some of
which will have major statistical implications, in addition to ongoing statistical activities.
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 2 . 1
Develop new and enhance existing statistical information relevant for Union decision-makers and the public at large in
relation to the strengthened and integrated economic governance of the Union and the surveillance cycle integrating the
Stability and Growth Pact and the economic policy.
The objective will be implemented by:
— providing statistical input for the macroeconomic imbalances scoreboard and the underlying analysis;
— providing statistical input for an enhanced Stability and Growth Pact specifically aimed at the production and
provision of high-quality statistics on public debt;
— developing and producing a set of indicators to measure competitiveness; and
— implementing a robust quality management in the production chain, also covering upstream public finance data and
the underlying workflows in Member States.
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 2 . 2
Provide Union decision-makers with reliable statistics and indicators for administrative and regulatory purposes and for
monitoring specific Union policy commitments.

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The objective will be implemented by:
— the definition of the scope of statistics for administrative and regulatory purposes and the agreement with users on
such scope; and
— the definition, as appropriate, implementation and explanation of a robust quality management framework for those
indicators.
1.3. Economic globalisation
The social, economic and other effects of the financial crisis, the increase in cross-border flows and the fragmentation of
production processes have highlighted the need for a more coherent framework and enhanced measurement of globalised
production.
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 3 . 1
Enhance the indicators and statistical information available on economic globalisation and global value chains for Union
decision-makers and the public at large.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the updating of existing indicators on economic globalisation available on the Commission (Eurostat) website;
— the development of new indicators on global value chains, including flows of and dependency on natural resources;
— the analysis of the global value chains, possibly through appropriate input/output tables, and foreign trade and
business statistics, including micro-data linking; and
— the examination of the need to reform the calculation and allocation of financial intermediation services.
2. Accounting frameworks
The Commission Communication of 20 August 2009 entitled ‘GDP and beyond: Measuring progress in a changing
world’, and the publication of the Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Report on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social
Progress have given new impetus to the key challenge for the ESS, namely how to achieve better statistics on cross-cutting
issues and more integrated statistics to describe complex social, environmental and economic phenomena beyond the
traditional measures of economic output. The European System of National and Regional Accounts (ESA) offers an
integrated and consistent framework for all economic statistics that should be complemented by other indicators in order
to provide more comprehensive information for policy- and decision-making.
2.1. Economic and social performance
The economic crisis has reinforced the need to have a set of high-quality macroeconomic indicators to better understand
and analyse economic fluctuations and their effects on society, and thereby facilitate the decision-making process.
Increasingly globalised production makes it necessary to develop a consistent framework that facilitates the interpretation
and integration of statistics from different domains.
O b j e c t i v e 2 . 1 . 1
Supplement measurement of economic performance by different dimensions of globalisation, the quality of life, access to
goods and services, environmental sustainability, health, well-being, social cohesion and social inclusion. Develop a
framework for the analysis of globalised production.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the implementation and compilation of annual and quarterly national accounts as well as annual regional accounts in
accordance with ESA;
— the production of indicators on income and consumption distribution across households (by reconciling national
accounts aggregates with household survey data or administrative data);
— the compilation of timely and high-quality price statistics, notably the harmonised indices of consumer prices;
— the development of satellite accounts for new areas;
— the creation of a database for growth and productivity measurement, taking account of changes in productivity in the
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— the development of a conceptual framework for the analysis of globalised production;
— the development of a conceptual framework for the measurement of quality of life and well-being; and
— the alignment of the corresponding accounting and statistical concepts to the extent possible.
O b j e c t i v e 2 . 1 . 2
Provide key macroeconomic and social indicators and Principal European Economic Indicators (PEEIs) as a coherent set of
indicators addressing the Union and global statistical data requirements and adjust PEEIs to meet evolving users’ needs.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the coordinated development of the dashboards of key macroeconomic, social and sustainable development indicators;
— the availability of a harmonised methodology for key macroeconomic and social indicators and PEEIs;
— the enhancement of international comparability of indicators;
— the provision of improved tools to facilitate the interpretation and communication of indicators; and
— the availability of harmonised housing and related statistics for all Member States.
2.2. Environmental sustainability
Protecting, preserving and improving the environment for present and future generations, as well as combating the effects
of climate change, are very high on the European agenda and are objectives of the Treaties. Efficient policies in those
domains require statistical information across various areas.
O b j e c t i v e 2 . 2 . 1
Provide environmental accounts and climate change-related statistics, taking into account international developments in
this area.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the development of a coherent system of environmental accounts as ‘satellite accounts’ to the main national accounts,
providing information on atmospheric emissions, energy consumption, flows and reserves of material natural
resources and water, trade in basic and in critical raw materials, environmental taxation and spending on environ
mental protection, possibly including green growth/procurement;
— the upgrading, development, production and dissemination of indicators that show secondary pressures, impacts of
climate change, including on health, vulnerabilities and adaptation progress; and
— the development of a headline indicator measuring global environmental pressure.
3. Data
3.1. Business
European enterprises are the focus of a large number of Union policies. In addition, they are responsible for the provision
of basic data. Accordingly, business statistics in the broad sense are in heavy demand to support the decision-making
process but also to help European citizens and businesses understand the impact of those policies, differentiating between
large enterprises, mid-caps and small and medium-sized enterprises for which there is an increased need for detailed and
harmonised statistics. There is simultaneously a need to reduce the administrative and reporting burden.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 1 . 1
Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of statistical production processes. Provide high-quality statistics on key areas
where enterprises are the centre of interest, such as business statistics, short-term indicators, their investment in human
capital and skills, international transactions, globalisation, internal market monitoring, R & D and innovation, and
tourism. Special attention should be paid to the availability of data in high value-added industrial or services sectors,
in particular in the green, digital or social economy (such as health and education).

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The objective will be implemented by:
— the reuse of data available in the statistical system or in society, and the production of a common infrastructure and
of common tools;
— the provision of statistical information and indicators on business on an annual and infra-annual basis;
— the provision of statistical information describing the position of Europe in the world and the Union’s relationships
with the rest of the world;
— the provision of statistical information for the analysis of global value chains and the development of the euro Group
Register as a backbone for collecting cross-domain information on globalisation;
— the rebalancing of statistical collections for trade in goods and trade in services with improved availability of data on
services and actions to rebalance statistical information on services and goods;
— the development of internal market monitoring tools, such as the food price monitoring tool and related indicators;
— the provision of statistics on key areas of innovation and R & D performance through extended use of patent registers
and extended research and statistical use of individual micro-data;
— the provision of statistics on tourism supply and demand through optimised data collection and better integrated data
from tourism with other domains; and
— the provision of statistics on resource use and resource efficiency based to the extent possible on existing data
collection.
3.2. People’s Europe
European citizens are at the heart of Union policies. Consequently, social statistics in the broad sense are in heavy
demand to support the decision-making process and to monitor the outcome of social policies, but also to help European
citizens assess the impact of those policies on their lives and well-being.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 2 . 1
Provide statistics on key areas of social policy where the citizen is the centre of interest, such as well-being, sustainability,
social cohesion, poverty, inequalities, demographic challenges (in particular population ageing and migration), the labour
market, education and training, including childhood education, adult learning, vocational training and learning mobility of
young people, culture, physical activity, quality of life, safety, health, disability, consumption, free movement and the
internal market, mobility of young people, technological innovation and new lifestyle choices. Those statistics shall be
disaggregated by gender where appropriate, for groups that are of special interest to social policy makers. Priorities shall
be set in accordance with Article 6.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the putting in place of a consolidated basic infrastructure for European Social Statistics, including survey and
administrative-based data collections and a common set of core variables;
— the development of core social surveys providing data (including micro-data) on persons and households streamlined
and complemented by additional and less frequent micro-data collections;
— the development of statistics provided on education and training, including a rationalisation and modernisation of the
Adult Education Survey;
— the provision of statistics on inequalities of income, providing a comparable national headline indicator, as well as
data on inequalities of access to basic goods and services;
— methodological work on physical activity and cultural statistics;
— the provision of statistics on safety from crime; health, as agreed under the framework Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on Community statistics on public health and
health and safety at work ( 1 ); and disability;
— the implementation of actions of the work programme on mainstreaming of migration statistics;
( 1 ) OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 70.

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— the provision of quality-of-life indicators to measure progress of societies; and
— the commencement of preparations of the next census round (scheduled for 2021).
3.3. Geospatial, environmental, agricultural and other sectoral statistics
The combination of statistics with spatially referenced data and geospatial analysis will offer new opportunities that the
ESS will explore further. Specific issues, such as confidentiality and statistical validity of small area estimations, will need
to be given particular attention.
Energy and transport statistics to support Europe 2020 and climate change policy will be of high importance in the
future.
The significance of agriculture among the Union policies will remain during 2013-17. The statistical work will be strongly
influenced by the outcome of the reflection on the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. Focus will be on environ
mental, biodiversity/ecosystem-related, economic, human health and safety and social dimensions.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 3 . 1
Support evidence-based policy-making by a more flexible and increased use of spatial information combined with social,
economic and environmental statistical information.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the further development, maintenance and operation of the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European
Community (INSPIRE), established by Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 1 ), and in
particular by the Union’s geo-portal;
— the making available of a range of geographic information through cooperation with Union programmes for land use
surveys and remote sensing; and
— the integration of statistical data when relevant, thus creating a multisource flexible infrastructure for the provision of
targeted spatio-temporal analysis.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 3 . 2
Provide environmental statistics to support the policy-making process of the Union.
The objective will be implemented by:
— A set of key environmental statistics on resources, such as on waste and recycling, water, raw materials deposits,
ecosystems services and biodiversity at national and where possible regional level, and a set of key climate change-
related statistics to support mitigation and adaptation actions and policies at all relevant levels from local to Union
level.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 3 . 3
Provide energy and transport statistics to support the policies of the Union.
The objective will be implemented by the production and dissemination of statistics on:
— renewable energy;
— energy savings/energy efficiency; and
— transport safety, passenger mobility, road traffic measurement and intermodal freight transport.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 3 . 4
Provide agriculture, fisheries and forestry statistics for the development and monitoring of the Common Agricultural and
Fisheries Policies, reflecting key European strategic objectives related to sustainability as well as rural development by
carrying out regular activities related to the development, production and dissemination of statistics.
( 1 ) OJ L 108, 25.4.2007, p. 1.

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The objective will be implemented by:
— the review and simplification of the agricultural data collection in line with the Common Agricultural Policy review
post-2013;
— the redesign of agricultural data collection processes, in particular with the objective of improving quality and
timeliness of the data provided;
— the thorough review of the land use/cover data management system and the elaboration and implementation of a new
system on that basis;
— the implementation of the data collection system for coherent agri-environmental indicators, based on existing data
where possible;
— the provision of appropriate breakdowns by region; and
— the implementation and dissemination of a set of key forestry data from Integrated Environmental and Economic
Accounting for Forestry, such as forest area, volume and value of standing timber and economic accounts for forestry
and logging.
II. PRODUCTION METHODS OF EUROPEAN STATISTICS
The ESS is currently facing a number of challenges: increasing demand for high-quality statistics, a growing need for
complex multidimensional statistics, the appearance of new actors on the information market, constraints on resources,
the need to further reduce the statistical burden on respondents as well as the diversification of communication tools.
This implies adapting the production and dissemination methods of European official statistics in a progressive way.
1. ESS quality management
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 1
Implement a quality management system in the ESS based on the Code of Practice.
Strengthen the sharing of good practices in the implementation of the Code of Practice and ensure that quality reporting
is targeting different user needs.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the introduction of new monitoring mechanisms and a second round of peer reviews to assess compliance with the
Code of Practice;
— the alignment of the quality assurance frameworks of the ESS and the European System of Central Banks (ESCB);
— the meeting of the needs of users for quality reporting; and
— the standardisation of quality reports in various statistical domains at Union level.
2. Priority-setting and simplification
The ESS is facing a major challenge: how to provide high-quality European statistics to satisfy increasing needs for
statistics in a context of substantially reduced budgets of Member States and a zero-growth human resource policy at the
Commission and in Member States which, for some bodies, will result in a real reduction in human resources. Given
those resource constraints at European and national level, it is important to strengthen priority-setting and simplification
measures, which require the commitment of all ESS partners. A priority-setting mechanism has been introduced as an
integrated part of the preparation of annual work programmes and will be implemented throughout the duration of the
programme. This involves, among other things, an annual review of existing statistical requirements, taking as its point of
departure initiatives proposed by the Commission for reducing statistical requirements considering the interests of users,
producers and respondents. The process should be pursued in close cooperation with users and producers of European
statistics.
O b j e c t i v e 2 . 1
Implement a priority-setting mechanism for the ESS in order to simplify reporting requirements and to adjust to new
needs for statistics while taking into account the constraints on the producers, the response burden and the needs of
users.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the definition of priorities and the allocation of resources in accordance with those priorities;
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— the taking into account of the results of user and producer consultations in the annual work programme; and
— the communication to users of the statistical areas to be simplified and of the data collection to be reduced/dis
continued.
3. Multi-purpose statistics and efficiency gains in production
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 1
Put in place gradually, taking into account costs generated in the ESS by implementation, an ESS business architecture
allowing more integrated production of European statistics; harmonise and standardise statistical production methods and
metadata; enhance the horizontal (across statistical domains) and vertical (across ESS partners) integration of statistical
production processes in the ESS in respect of the principle of subsidiarity; use and integrate multiple data sources;
produce multi-purpose statistics. Particular attention will be given to confidentiality issues that will arise with increased
use, reuse and exchange of micro-data and administrative records.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the greater use of appropriate administrative data in all statistical areas;
— the identification and use of new data sources for European statistics;
— the increased involvement of the Commission (Eurostat), and national statistical authorities in the design of adminis
trative records;
— the wider use of statistical matching and data linking techniques for increasing the offer of European statistics;
— the use of the European approach to statistics for quick policy response in specific and duly justified cases;
— greater integration of European statistics production processes through ESS coordinated actions;
— further harmonisation of statistical concepts across statistical domains;
— the development and implementation of flexible IT reference infrastructure and technical standards for improving
interoperability, sharing of data and metadata, and common data modelling;
— the use of standard IT tools across statistical business processes;
— the development of methodological standards in order to increase use and availability of harmonised methodologies
(including mixed-mode approaches to data collection) and harmonised metadata;
— the strengthening of the role of statistical business registers as the place where the statistical units for all business-
related statistics are maintained and used as a source for national accounts; and
— the improvement of the provision of metadata, namely background information on how data are collected, the quality
of data and how to render data more readily understandable to users.
O b j e c t i v e 3 . 2
Ensure the good functioning and coherence of the ESS through effective collaboration and communication.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the effective and efficient support for partnership within the ESS;
— the definition and implementation of processes for burden and work sharing within the ESS; and
— the further development and making operational of collaborative networks.
4. Dissemination and communication
O b j e c t i v e 4 . 1
Make the ESS the first data source on European statistics for all users and, in particular, for public and private decision-
makers, by providing a high-quality statistical information service based on the principles of free and easy access to
European statistics.

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Intensifying and extending the dialogue between users and producers of statistics to meet user needs for high-quality
statistics. An early involvement of users in new developments is key to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the
ESS.
Extend and rationalise the range of dissemination products to meet the needs of users using new technologies.
Set up a cost-efficient, integrated and secure infrastructure within the ESS for access to confidential data for scientific
purposes.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the recognition of the ESS as the first reference point for users of European statistics;
— the putting in place of an integrated secure infrastructure for access to Union micro-data;
— the putting in place of a system to address users’ requests for immediate access and advice in interpretation of
statistical information;
— the adjustment of dissemination products to the users’ needs using new technologies;
— an increased number of statistical outputs on cross-cutting issues;
— the increased use of new communication and dissemination technologies (e.g. SDMX-based);
— an increased offer of micro-data sets for statistical research purposes in accordance with Union and national law on
data confidentiality;
— the preparation of data sets to facilitate the use of statistical data for educational and research purposes.
5. Training, innovation and research
O b j e c t i v e 5 . 1
Satisfy learning and development needs in the ESS based on a combination of training courses and learning and
development opportunities.
Improve the collaboration between ESS members for the transfer of knowledge and sharing and implementation of best
practices and common innovative approaches in the production of statistics.
Organise the activities, participation and contribution of the research communities in the improvement of the statistical
production chains and of the quality of official statistical information.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the development of a postgraduate degree (e.g. Master in Official Statistics);
— the provision of training programmes addressing the user’s and other citizen’s needs;
— the wider application of results of research projects in statistical production and dissemination;
— the recognition of the ESS as a reference point for the statistical research communities;
— the extensive involvement of the research communities in research activities in official statistics; and
— the putting in place of adequate instruments for the exchange of practices and implementation of common solutions
in the ESS.
III. PARTNERSHIP
1. Partnership within the ESS and beyond
In the spirit of partnership, the national statistical authorities and the Commission (Eurostat) are responsible for the
development, production and dissemination of European statistics.

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O b j e c t i v e 1 . 1
Implement the enhanced ESS governance framework.
The objective will be implemented by the implementation of the revision of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and of
Commission Decision 2012/504/EU of 17 September 2012 on Eurostat ( 1 );
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 2
Enhance the coordinating role of the Commission (Eurostat) as the European Union’s Statistical Office.
The objective will be implemented by:
— the association of the Commission (Eurostat) with all Commission initiatives with regard to statistical aspects at an
early stage; and
— regular stakeholder dialogues at top management level.
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 3
Strengthen the cooperation with the ESCB and the European and international organisations involved in the production
of data for statistical or administrative purposes through common projects and coordinated developments. Ensure
consistency between Union and international standards.
The objective will be implemented by:
— implementing a common quality framework for the ESS and the ESCB;
— increasing involvement of the Commission (Eurostat) in international advisory groups;
— defining and implementing new ways of cooperation to ensure that statistical developments are well coordinated
between international organisations and that work is allocated efficiently; and
— implementing the new United Nations System of National Accounts, ESA, the United Nations System of Environ
mental and Economic Accounts, the European Environmental Economic Accounts and the Balance of Payments
manuals.
O b j e c t i v e 1 . 4
Promote and implement statistical advisory and statistical assistance activities in countries outside the Union in line with
the priorities of the foreign policy of the Union, with particular emphasis on enlargement and the European Neigh
bourhood Policy.
The objective will be implemented by:
— exercising ESS leadership in the international arena;
— delivering data for Union foreign policy purposes;
— supporting Commission services for the implementation of development and international cooperation policies, in
their relations with international organisations and in matters of common statistical interest with third-country
regions or third countries;
— disseminating relevant statistical data to support the enlargement process and negotiations;
— minimising requests for derogations from new Member States leading to unavailability of data;
— establishing agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with third countries;
— designing and implementing technical cooperation programmes;
— focusing technical assistance on data harmonisation and delivery; and
— improving cooperation and coordination activities among the members of the ESS.
( 1 ) OJ L 251, 18.9.2012, p. 49.

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