Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the "Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the statistics relating to the trading of goods between Member States" (COM(2003) 364 final — 2003/0126 (COD))
Date: 2003-10-29
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: ESC opinion, EU statistics, access to EU information, data collection, data processing, information network, intra-EU trade

C 32/92

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

5.2.2004

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Proposal for a Regulation of
the European Parliament and of the Council on the statistics relating to the trading of goods
between Member States’

(COM(2003) 364 final — 2003/0126 (COD))

(2004/C 32/19)

On 3 July 2003 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under
Article 262 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

In view of the urgent nature of the work, the Committee decided at its 403rd plenary session of 29 and
30 October 2003 (meeting of 29 October) to appoint Ms Florio as rapporteur-general and adopted the
following opinion unanimously.

1. Background

2. Characteristics of the new proposal

1.1.
The present regulation on statistics relating to the
trading of goods between Member States (known as Intrastat)
resulted from an agreement amending the system for collecting
data on trade both between EU Member States and with third
countries. The agreement, signed in 1991 (1), came into force
in 1993, coinciding the completion of the single market and
the disappearance of internal physical borders.

1.2. With the abolition of the system for collecting statistics
based on customs declarations, the creation of a new instru-
ment providing fuller information on trading of goods became
essential, and could indeed be seen as a key support for the
single market.

In brief, the new regulation which is to come into force

2.1.
in 2005:

— provides clearer and simpler rules;

— defines its scope,

leaving the Member States greater

freedom to meet national needs;

— accords a more important role to the administrative

organisation of each country;

— is the result of three separate studies (an opinion poll of
information providers in six Member States, a sample
study of users of Community statistics and a study on
problems with the product nomenclature in Sweden);

1.3.
Statistics in this area are vital in connection with the
balance of payments, national accounts and, of course, the
effective operation and monitoring of the single market itself.

— retains the thresholds system while simplifying it so as
not to impose an excessive burden on data providers
(especially SMEs);

1.4.
At this stage it became necessary to create a flexible,
straightforward and harmonised system in keeping with the
various national collection and accounting systems.

1.5.
At the same time, the new regulation will have to
ensure simplification in two areas: firstly, product nomencla-
ture and secondly, a reduction in the number of statistical
variables.

— introduces new provisions on deadlines for the trans-
mission of data, intended primarily to meet the require-
ments expressed by the European Central Bank (macro-
economic and short-term policy);

— retains the link between statistical information and fiscal

formalities in the trade sector;

— introduces provisions concerning quality of statistical

information;

— strengthens the principle of confidentiality of available
data, in accordance with the existing Extrastat system;

(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3330/91.

management committee.

— sets up a regulatory committee, instead of the present

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Official Journal of the European Union

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3. Comments and recommendations

for compliance with the regulation and removing any obstacles
which might hinder their activity.

3.1.
As indicated in previous opinions, the EESC welcomes
developments in the sphere of statistics and data collection by
the Commission and the Member States which are designed to
strengthen and monitor the progress of economic and monet-
ary union.

The creation of an instrument which is readily under-
3.2.
stood and easily used by businesses, especially SMEs, in their
capacity as data providers, is at this stage essential, as is a
different approach to the national statistical bodies responsible
for collecting these data.

3.3.
In view of the importance of such an instrument, a
wide-reaching information campaign — focusing particularly
on SMEs — will be needed to explain how, under the new
regulation, information will be collected and how it will be
used.

3.4.
A specific grassroots information and training pro-
gramme may be necessary in this regard, preparing businesses

Brussels, 29 October 2003.

3.5.
The Commission should be in a position to introduce
flexible means of disseminating such information through a
range of channels (business associations, chambers of com-
merce, etc.) and using different media (Internet, CDs, etc.).

Sound information will also prevent those responsible
3.6.
for providing information from incurring the penalties laid
down by the Member States.

Information on the trading thresholds (which are
3.7.
accompanied by exemptions, facilities, etc.) is currently for-
warded to the Commission which, however, has no means of
subsequently checking on the data provided.

3.8.
An enhanced link between the European data collec-
tion system and national statistical bodies could in future
ensure greater reliability and uniformity of data collection
criteria.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Roger BRIESCH