| 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 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
adopted by the Statistical Programme Committee on 24 February 2005 |
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| Institutional Environment |
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Principle 1: Professional Independence - The 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 must 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 must be sufficient to meet European Statistics requirements.
Principle 4: Quality Commitment - All ESS members commit themselves to work and co-operate according to the principles fixed in the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System.
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 must 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 |
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Principle 7: Sound Methodology - Sound methodology must underpin quality statistics. This requires adequate tools, procedures and expertise.
Principle 8: Appropriate Statistical Procedures – Appropriate statistical procedures, implemented from data collection to data validation, must underpin quality statistics.
Principle 9: Non-Excessive Burden on Respondents - The reporting burden should be proportionate to the needs of the users and should not be excessive for respondents. The statistical authority monitors the response burden and sets targets for its reduction over time.
Principle 10: Cost Effectiveness - Resources must be effectively used. |
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Statistical Output |
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Principle 11: Relevance - European Statistics must 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 must be disseminated 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 should be presented in a clear and understandable form, disseminated in a suitable and convenient manner, available and accessible on an impartial basis with supporting metadata and guidance.
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