Implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice

Implementation ofthe European Statistics Code of Practice Yalta September 2009 Pieter Everaers, Eurostat

Implementation of the Code of Practice 1. The European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat implementation strategy 3. Monitoring and Reporting 4. Quality label for European official statistics 1/4/2020

The European Statistics Code of Practice (1) Example of indicators: I. Where European Statistics are based on administrative data, the definitions and concepts used for the administrative purpose must be a good approximation to those required for statistical purposes. II. In case of statistical surveys, questionnaires are systematically tested prior to the data collection. III. Survey designs, sample selections, and sample weights are well based and regularly reviewed, revised or updated as required. IV. Field operations, data entry, and coding are routinely monitored and revised as required. (…) VI. Revisions follow standard, well-established and transparent procedures. Example of indicators: I. Timeliness meets the highest European and international dissemination standards. II. A standard daily time is set for the release of European Statistics. III. Periodicity of European Statistics takes into account user requirements as much as possible. IV. Any divergence from the dissemination time schedule is publicised in advance, explained and a new release date set. V. Preliminary results of acceptable aggregate quality can be disseminated when considered useful. • 3 headings – 15 principles – 77 indicators • Institutional environmentProfessional independence, Mandate for data collection, Adequacy of Resources, Quality commitment, Statistical confidentiality, Impartiality and objectivity • Statistical processesSound methodology, Appropriate statistical procedures, Non-excessive burden on respondents, Cost effectiveness • Statistical outputRelevance, Accuracy and reliability, Timeliness and punctuality, Coherence and comparability, Accessibility and clarity Example of indicators: (…) V. Statistical release dates and times are pre-announced. VI. All users have equal access to statistical releases at the same time and any privileged pre-release access to any outside user is limited, controlled and publicised. In the event that leaks occur, pre-release arrangements should be revised so as to ensure impartiality. (…)

The European Statistics Code of Practice (2) • addresses • Users: • to show that statistics are trustworthy, objective and reliable. • Governance authorities (Government, Ministries): • to ensure that statistical services are professionally organised and resourced, promote independence. • Respondents: • to show that confidentiality is protected and response load controlled. • Statistical authorities: • to provide benchmarks and values that should be adopted to produce and disseminate high quality statistics; to serve the organisation’s public image. • Staff: • to provide guidelines for managers and staff that promote sharing of values and contributes to the integration of new colleagues, help to create a high quality workplace and a climate of integrity and excellence. 1/4/2020

Statistical processes Statistical output Code of Practice Institutional environment The European Statistics Code of Practice (3) The Code of Practice and the UN Fundamental Principles UN Fundamental Principles 3 UN Fundamental Principles 5, 9, 10 UN Fundamental Principles 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 8

Implementation of the Code of Practice in the ESS 1. The European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat Implementation strategy 3. Monitoring and Reporting 4. Quality label for European official statistics 1/4/2020

ESS Implementation strategies (1) • 2005 Self-assessments by all NSIs based on a common questionnaire Detailed questions for each indicator, strength/weaknesses, improvement actions • Protocols on selected issues • Extension to other data providers at national level • ESS good practices

Monitoring and Reporting (1) • Surveillance • ESS-wide peer reviews during 2006-07 • Regular reporting & monitoring of improvement actions • European Statistical Governance Advisory Board • Transparency • 2006 Report to the EFC on self-assessments • Publication of peer review reports • Eurostat quality website • 2008 Report to EP and Council

Objectives monitoring of the implementation of the Code of Practice to boost quality, to enhance credibility identification of ESS benchmarks and common difficulties sharing of ESS best practices and knowledge transfer Scope 27 EU MS + 4 EFTA MS + Eurostat institutional environment and dissemination practices co-ordination role of NSI Mechanics common guidelines and assessment basisfully met /largely met/ partly met /not met 2 ½ days, 3 peers, information package, various interlocutors Monitoring and Reporting (5) ESS peer reviews 1/4/2020

Results of the ESS peer reviewsHigh overall ESS compliance levels

sufficient legal mandate for NSI, practical difficulties to use admin. data Strong in practice, legislation to be supplemented in some SAs to reinforce independence Results of the ESS peer reviews: Strengths High diversity across ESS; lack of transparency in some cases Strong legal basis, impressive safeguards across the ESS; excellent practices in micro-data access

Results of the ESS peer reviews:Areas for improvement • High service orientation; • modern dissemination channels; • some SAs need to improve metadata and accessibility Broadly satisfactory resources, some severe exceptions and risks for meeting future demands Lowest compliance levels compared to other principles, improvements needed on the ESS- wide scale

ESS best practices:Compliance with the Code of Practiceby other national producers of European Statistics(not the NSI) • Statistical law covering all actors at national level • delineation of the statistics function • co-ordinated community (recruitment, training, ethical standards) • common dissemination platform • labelling/certification mechanism

Guidance for users Campaign for the Code Positioning of official statistics in the information market Improving quality Improving quality reporting Strengthening the co-ordination of production of statistics at European level Quality label for European official statistics (1) Objectives 1/4/2020

Quality label for European official statistics (2) Labelling of European official statistics signalling compliance with the Code to users Compliance with Code ESS improvement actions time

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Implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice