| National statistics > Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia > Quality of statistics European Statistics Code of Practice
In December 2004 the European Commission adopted a communication to the Council and the European Parliament about the independence, integrity and accountability of national statistical authorities and the Community statistical authority Eurostat. Part of this communication was the European Statistics Code of Practice. In February 2005 the Council (ECOFIN meeting) welcomed this decision and supported work on the preparation of this Code. On 24 February 2005 the Code of Practice was endorsed by the Statistical Programme Committee. The Code was revised in 2011 and adopted by the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) on 28th September 2011.
The Code of Practice consists of 15 principles. Its purpose is to improve trust and confidence in the statistical authorities by proposing certain arrangements and to reinforce the quality of statistics by promoting international statistical principles, methods and practices.
The Code of Practice wants to show the users that European and national statistical authorities are impartial and that the statistics they produce and disseminate are trustworthy, objective and reliable. At the same time it wants to show data providers that the confidentiality of the information they provide is protected, and that excessive demands will not be placed on them.
The Statistical Office approves the adoption of the Code of Practice, which is consistent with the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics in the Region of the Economic Commission for Europe and with national and EU statistical legislation.
| EUROPEAN STATISTICS CODE OF PRACTICE
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Institutional Environment
Institutional and organisational factors have a significant influence on the effectiveness and creditability of a statistical authority developing, producing and disseminating European Statistics. The relevant issues are professional independence, mandate for data collection, adequacy of resources, quality commitment, statistical confidentiality, impartiality and objectivity. |
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Principle 1: Professional Independence - Professional independence of statistical authorities from other policy, regulatory or administrative departments and bodies, as well as from private sector operators, ensures the credibility of European Statistics.
Principle 2: Mandate for Data Collection - Statistical authorities have a clear legal mandate to collect information for European statistical purposes. Administrations, enterprises and households, and the public at large may be compelled by law to allow access to or deliver data for European statistical purposes at the request of statistical authorities.
Principle 3: Adequacy of Resources - The resources available to statistical authorities are sufficient to meet European Statistics requirements.
Principle 4: Commitment to Quality- Statistical authorities are committed to quality. They systematically and regularly identify strengths and weaknesses to continuously improve process and product quality.
Principle 5: Statistical Confidentiality - The privacy of data providers (households, enterprises, administrations and other respondents), the confidentiality of the information they provide and its use only for statistical purposes must be absolutely guaranteed.
Principle 6: Impartiality and Objectivity - Statistical authorities develop, produce and disseminate European Statistics respecting scientific independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. |
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Statistical Processes
European and other international standards, guidelines and good practices are fully observed in the processes used by the statistical authorities to organise, collect, process and disseminate European Statistics. The credibility of the statistics is enhanced by a reputation for good management and efficiency. The relevant aspects are sound methodology, appropriate statistical procedures, nonexcessive burden on respondents and cost effectiveness. |
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Principle 7: Sound Methodology - Sound methodology underpins quality statistics. This requires adequate tools, procedures and expertise.
Principle 8: Appropriate Statistical Procedures – Appropriate statistical procedures, implemented from data collection to data validation, underpin quality statistics.
Principle 9: Non-Excessive Burden on Respondents - The reporting burden is proportionate to the needs of the users and is not excessive for respondents. The statistical authorities monitor the response burden and set targets for its reduction over time.
Principle 10: Cost Effectiveness -Resources are used effectively. |
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Statistical Output
Available statistics meet users’ needs. Statistics comply with the European quality standards and serve the needs of European institutions, governments, research institutions, business concerns and the public generally. The important issues concern the extent to which the statistics are relevant, accurate and reliable, timely, coherent, comparable across regions and countries, and readily accessible by users. |
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Principle 11: Relevance - European Statistics meet the needs of users.
Principle 12: Accuracy and Reliability - European Statistics must accurately and reliably portray reality.
Principle 13: Timeliness and Punctuality - - European Statistics are released in a timely and punctual manner.
Principle 14: Coherence and Comparability - European Statistics should be consistent internally, over time and comparable between regions and countries; it should be possible to combine and make joint use of related data from different sources.
Principle 15: Accessibility and Clarity – European Statistics are presented in a clear and understandable form, released in a suitable and convenient manner, available and accessible on an impartial basis with supporting metadata and guidance.
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