The Trust Regulation: Fundamental 

Responsibilities of Statistical Agencies

Bob Sivinski

Office of Management and Budget
Contents

Vision of the Evidence Act

Statistical Policy Directive #1

 Relevant and Timely

 Accurate

 Objective

 Confidential

Evidence Act Section 3563

 What’s New?

 Rulemaking Process

This presentation does provide new OMB guidance or 

interpret exiting guidance.
Evidence Act Vision for Statistical Agencies

Evidence Act recognizes statistical agencies as the foundation of 

data for evidence-building. 

Stat agencies need strengthening, additional authorities to acquire data, and 

additional responsibilities/requirements to provide data. Then the system 

needs to scale.

• Codification of Statistical Policy Directive #1 (Trust Reg)

• Presumption of Accessibility for Statistical Agencies

• Expanding Secure Access to CIPSEA Data Assets

• Standard Application to Access Data Assets for Developing 

Evidence

• CIPSEA Designation Guidance
Statistical Policy Directive No. 1
Fundamental Principles

Fundamental Responsibilities:

• Relevant and Timely

• Accurate

• Objective

• Confidential

See also:

• Principles and Practices for a

Federal Statistical Agency - CNSTAT

• European Statistics Code of 

Practice - Eurostat

• Fundamental Principles of

Official Statistics - UN

• Principles and Practices for 

International Statistics - OECD
Relevant and Timely

 Be knowledgeable about the issues

 Communicate and coordinate across agencies

 Seek input from data users

 Be innovative to improve accuracy, timeliness, and 

efficiency
Credible and Accurate

 Regularly evaluate data and products

 Publicly describe methods and limitations, including 

for outside data

 Seek new methods and adopt new technologies

 Provide dissemination policies and ensure equitable 

access to publicly disseminated data
Objective

 Make products available on an equitable, policy-neutral, 

transparent, timely, and punctual basis.

 function in an environment that is clearly separate and 

autonomous from the other administrative, regulatory, law 

enforcement, or policy-making activities within their respective 

Departments

conduct statistical activities autonomously when determining...

• what information to collect

• physical security and information systems security

• methods to apply in their estimation procedures and data analysis

• when and how to store and disseminate their statistical products

• which staff to select to join their agencies
Objective (Con’t)

 seek to avoid even the appearance that agency design, 

collection, processing, editing, compilation, storage, 

analysis, release, and dissemination processes may be 

manipulated.

 select candidates for statistical positions based primarily 

on their scientific and technical knowledge, credentials, 

experience, and integrity.

maintain and develop in-house staff who are trained in 

statistical methodology to properly plan, design, and 

implement core data collection operations and to 

accurately analyze their data.
Protect the Trust of Information Providers

 ensure the confidentiality and exclusive statistical use of 

their responses.

 maintain a strong organizational climate that safeguards 

and protects the integrity and confidentiality of the data

 fully adhere to legal requirements and follow best 

practices for protecting the confidentiality of data
Congressional Direction: Evidence Act

(a) RESPONSIBILITIES.—

(1)IN GENERAL.—Each statistical agency or unit shall—

(A)produce and disseminate relevant and timely statistical information;

(B)conduct credible and accurate statistical activities;

(C)conduct objective statistical activities; and

(D)protect the trust of information providers by ensuring the confidentiality and 

exclusive statistical use of their responses.

(b) SUPPORT FROM OTHER AGENCIES.—The head of each agency shall enable, support, and 

facilitate statistical agencies or units in carrying out the responsibilities described in 

subsection (a)(1).
Requires 

support 

from other 

agencies!

What’s new?

Elevates SPD 

No. 1 

to law!
The Rulemaking Process

Congress passes law 

authorizing/requiring regulation

If “significant,” OIRA reviews 

draft proposed rule

Agency drafts and clears 

internally a proposed rule

Agency publishes notice of 

proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 

Public reviews NPRM and 

submits comments to agency

Agency reviews public comments 

and develops draft final rule

Agency publishes final rule

If “significant,” OIRA reviews draft 

final rule

Rule takes effect

If “major,” Congress reviews final 

rule

Disapproval resolution passed

Rule challenged in court

Court “vacates” all or part of rule

Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch
Thank You

Questions?

Bob Sivinski

Statistical and Science Policy

Office of Management and 

Budget

rsivinski@omb.eop.gov

fcsm.gov