European Statistics
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Summary
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics establishes the legal framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics within the European Statistical System (ESS). It sets out principles such as professional independence, impartiality, objectivity, reliability, statistical confidentiality and cost-effectiveness, and provides rules for access to administrative data and data sharing for statistical purposes. It also defines governance and coordination roles for Eurostat and national statistical authorities.
Who is affected?
Eurostat (the Commission’s statistical office), national statistical institutes and other national authorities responsible for European statistics are directly affected. Public and private data holders (including administrations holding administrative records) may be required to provide data for statistical purposes, subject to confidentiality safeguards.
Scope
Applies to the development, production and dissemination of European statistics in the EU under the European Statistical System, including rules on statistical confidentiality, quality, and coordination between Eurostat and national authorities.
Key Points
- Establishes the European Statistical System (ESS) framework and governance for producing European statistics.
- Sets core statistical principles (professional independence, impartiality, objectivity, reliability, statistical confidentiality, and cost-effectiveness).
- Requires quality management and adherence to the European Statistics Code of Practice.
- Provides a legal basis for access to and use of administrative data for statistical purposes, and for cooperation/data sharing within the ESS.
- Defines rules on statistical confidentiality and conditions for data access/use, including protection against unlawful disclosure.
- Clarifies roles and coordination mechanisms between Eurostat and national statistical authorities for EU statistical programmes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must comply with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics?
Eurostat, national statistical institutes, and other national authorities responsible for European statistics must comply. Public and private data holders may also be required to provide data for statistical purposes under certain conditions.
What is the scope of this regulation?
The regulation covers the development, production, and dissemination of European statistics within the European Statistical System (ESS). It sets rules on statistical confidentiality, quality, and coordination between Eurostat and national authorities.
What are the key obligations for statistical authorities under this regulation?
Authorities must adhere to statistical principles such as professional independence, impartiality, and confidentiality. They are also required to ensure quality management, follow the European Statistics Code of Practice, and cooperate within the ESS framework.
What penalties apply for non-compliance with the regulation?
Penalties for non-compliance are generally determined by national law, particularly regarding breaches of statistical confidentiality or failure to provide required data. The regulation requires Member States to establish effective, proportionate, and dissuasive penalties.
What are the core statistical principles established by the regulation?
The regulation enshrines principles including professional independence, impartiality, objectivity, reliability, statistical confidentiality, and cost-effectiveness in the production of European statistics.
How does the regulation address data confidentiality and protection?
It imposes strict rules on statistical confidentiality, ensuring that data collected for statistical purposes cannot be used for non-statistical purposes and is protected against unlawful disclosure.
How does this regulation interact with other EU data and privacy laws?
The regulation complements other EU data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), by specifying confidentiality requirements for statistical data and clarifying the use of administrative data for statistical purposes.
What practical steps must national authorities take to comply?
National authorities must implement quality management systems, ensure staff are trained on statistical principles, establish procedures for data confidentiality, and coordinate closely with Eurostat and other ESS members.
What is the role of Eurostat under this regulation?
Eurostat coordinates the development, production, and dissemination of European statistics at the EU level, ensures compliance with the regulation, and facilitates cooperation among national statistical authorities.
What are the timelines for compliance and reporting under this regulation?
The regulation is continuously in force, with specific reporting and compliance timelines set out in related EU statistical programmes and annual work programmes coordinated by Eurostat.
Key Terms
- European Statistical System (ESS)
- A partnership between Eurostat, national statistical institutes, and other national authorities responsible for developing, producing, and disseminating European statistics.
- Eurostat
- The statistical office of the European Commission, responsible for coordinating the production and dissemination of European statistics.
- Statistical Confidentiality
- A principle and set of rules ensuring that data collected for statistical purposes are protected against unlawful disclosure and not used for non-statistical purposes.
- Administrative Data
- Data collected by public or private bodies for administrative (non-statistical) purposes, which can be accessed and used for statistical production under certain safeguards.
- European Statistics Code of Practice
- A set of principles and guidelines for ensuring the quality and integrity of European statistics, which must be followed by all ESS members.
- Professional Independence
- The principle that statistical authorities must produce and disseminate statistics free from political or external interference.
- National Statistical Institute (NSI)
- The main national authority responsible for producing official statistics in each EU Member State, as part of the ESS.
- Statistical Programme
- A multi-annual or annual work plan that sets priorities and objectives for the production of European statistics.
- Data Sharing within ESS
- The process and legal framework for exchanging data between Eurostat and national authorities to facilitate the production of harmonized European statistics.
- Quality Management
- Systematic processes and procedures implemented by statistical authorities to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of European statistics.