COMMISSION DECISION of 10 February 1997 on the definition of a methodology for the transition between the European System of National and Regional Accounts in the Community (ESA 95) and the European System of Integrated Economic Accounts (ESA second edition) (Text with EEA relevance) (97/178/EC, Euratom)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
Having regard to Article 8 (3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2223/96 of 25 June 1996 on the European system of national and regional accounts in the Community (1), and Article 6 of Council Directive 89/130/EEC, Euratom of 13 February 1989 on the harmonization of the compilation of gross national product at market prices (2),
Whereas the Commission anticipates the lifting of reservations on Member States GNP estimates by 31 December 1998;
Whereas there are differences between the results deriving from the use of the ESA 95 and the use of the ESA second edition;
Whereas in order to apply Article 8 (1) and (2) of Regulation (EC) No 2223/96 on ESA 95, it is necessary to identify, by December 1996 at the latest, the differences in definitions between the ESA 95 and the ESA second edition and to evaluate their impact, in order to derive data for GDP and GNP according to the ESA second edition from data for GDP and GNP according to ESA 95;
Whereas, if further differences between ESA second edition and ESA 95 having an impact on GDP or GNP are identified after the adoption of this Decision, the Commission will take measures, in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 2223/96, to modify the Annex of this Decision;
Whereas Article 19 of Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 1552/89 of 29 May 1989 implementing Decision 88/376/EEC, Euratom on the system of the Communities' own resources (3), provides that, together with the Member State concerned, the Commission shall each year inspect the aggregates provided for own resource purposes, especially in cases notified by the GNP Committee;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision shall be applied, taking into account the cost/effectiveness principle whilst assuring good quality for estimates of GDP and GNP;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 6 of Directive 89/130/EEC, Euratom,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The differences in definitions between the ESA second edition and the ESA 95 which have been identified and agreed by the GNP Committee before 31 December 1996 and which have an impact on GDP or GNP are listed in the Annex. The Member States shall evaluate and document each of these differences in definitions, applying the principle laid down in Article 2. They shall provide the Commission with the necessary information and explanations on each of the differences in accordance with Article 5 of Directive 89/130/EEC, Euratom.
Article 2
GNP data based on the ESA second edition and furnished pursuant to Directive 89/130/EEC, Euratom and GDP data communicated pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) 3605/93 of 22 November 1993 on the application of the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community (4), are derived from data based on ESA 95 and transmitted by the Member States pursuant to Article 7 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 2223/96 by adjusting these latter data to take account of the impact of the differences in definitions between the ESA second edition and ESA 95 cited at Article 1.
This principle can be summarized in the following equations:
(a) GDP data based on the ESA second edition
= GDP data based on ESA 95
- the sum of the amounts quantified for the differences in definitions between the ESA 95 and the ESA second edition cited at Article 1;
(b) GNP data based on the ESA second edition
= GNP data based on ESA 95
- the sum of the amounts quantified for the differences in definitions between the ESA 95 and the ESA second edition cited at Article 1.
Article 3
1. The provisions set out in Articles 1 and 2 of this Decision shall apply to:
(a) GNP data for the year 1998 and subsequent years which is supplied pursuant to Directive 89/130/EC, Euratom, and while Council Decision 94/728/EC, Euratom of 31 October 1994 on the system of the European Communities' own resources (5) remains in force;
(b) GDP data for the year 1998 which is supplied for the purposes of Regulation (EC) 3605/93.
These provisions may also apply to:
(c) GNP and GDP data for the years 1995 to 1997, which Member States may supply on the basis of ESA 95 for the purposes of the Directive and Regulation referred to in paragraph 1 (a) and (b).
2. Where data covered by 1 (c) are supplied, Member States shall, at the request of the Commission, communicate the amounts resulting from the differences in the definitions between ESA second edition and ESA 95.
Article 4
If Decision 94/728/EC, Euratom remains in force beyond 31 December 1999, the Commission will review the present Decision and take, if necessary, any appropriate measures.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 10 February 1997.