Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the evaluation on the Implementation of the Community Statistical Programme 1998-2002
Date: 2005-01-13
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU policy, EU statistics, Eurostat, data collection, project evaluation, report, statistics

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 13.1.2005 
COM(2005) 1 final 

. 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

ON THE EVALUATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE COMMUNITY STATISTICAL PROGRAMME 1998-2002 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................ 4 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

4.1. 

4.2. 

4.3. 

4.4. 

4.5. 

4.6. 

4.7. 

4.8. 

4.9. 

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 4 

Methodology of the evaluation – what and how to evaluate ....................................... 4 

The Community Statistical Programme ....................................................................... 4 

Main conclusions ......................................................................................................... 5 

The implementation of the 1998-2002 Community Statistical Programme has 
to a large extent been achieved for all priority and current EU policies...................... 5 

User satisfaction ........................................................................................................... 6 

Coordination and work planning.................................................................................. 6 

Quality.......................................................................................................................... 6 

Effectiveness – Efficiency............................................................................................ 7 

Implementation of standards ........................................................................................ 7 

Response burden .......................................................................................................... 7 

Subsidiarity .................................................................................................................. 7 

Balance of needs and resources.................................................................................... 7 

4.10. 

Evaluation and monitoring of progress ........................................................................ 7 

5. 

5.1. 

5.2. 

5.3. 

5.4. 

5.5. 

5.6. 

5.7. 

5.8. 

5.9. 

recommendations ......................................................................................................... 7 

Improve priority setting in the CSS ............................................................................. 7 

Reduce the time cycle of statistical processes.............................................................. 7 

Find the appropriate method to work with 25 countries in accordance with the 
objectives of each domain............................................................................................ 8 

Improve measurement of Eurostat performance .......................................................... 8 

Identify the management skills and knowledge at CSS level for the implementation 
of the CSP .................................................................................................................... 8 

Identify centres of excellence in the CSS in order to outsource statistical works ....... 8 

Revision of dissemination policy ................................................................................. 8 

Define Eurostat Quality Assurance Plan...................................................................... 9 

Rationalise statistical production ................................................................................. 9 

MAIN REPORT....................................................................................................................... 10 

Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 10 

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Methodology of the evaluation – what and how to evaluate.................................................... 10 

The Community Statistical Programme ................................................................................... 12 

Evaluation of the implementation of the CSP 1998-2002........................................................ 13 

Evaluation of the Programme strategies................................................................................... 21 

Principle of Subsidiarity........................................................................................................... 26 

Balance of needs and resources................................................................................................ 27 

Recommendations .................................................................................................................... 29 

BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................................... 31 

GLOSSARY............................................................................................................................. 33 

DETAILED EVALUATION OF POLICIES .......................................................................... 37 

FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS ........................................................................................... 37 

AGRICULTURE...................................................................................................................... 41 

FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS, SERVICES AND CAPITAL....................................... 48 

TRANSPORT........................................................................................................................... 53 

ECONOMIC AND MONETARY POLICY............................................................................ 61 

COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY.................................................................................... 67 

SOCIAL POLICY, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND YOUTH ................. 73 

CULTURE ............................................................................................................................... 80 

PUBLIC HEALTH................................................................................................................... 82 

CONSUMER PROTECTION.................................................................................................. 86 

TRANS-EUROPEAN NETWORKS....................................................................................... 88 

INDUSTRY.............................................................................................................................. 92 

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COHESION .............................................................................. 97 

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ................................................ 100 

ENVIRONMENT................................................................................................................... 104 

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION ..................................................................................... 109 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

This  document  represents  the  evaluation  of  the  Community  Statistical  Programme  (CSP) 
1998-2002  as  required  by  Article  4  of  the  Council  Decision  of  22  December  1998  on  the 
Community Statistical Programme 1998-20021,: 

Article 4: 

“At  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  the  Programme  the  Commission,  after  consulting  the 
Statistical  Programme  Committee  (SPC),  shall  present  an  appropriate  evaluation  report  on 
the implementation of the Programme, taking into account the views of independent experts. 
that report is to be completed by the end of 2003 and subsequently submitted to the European 
Parliament and the Council” 

2. 

METHODOLOGY OF THE EVALUATION – WHAT AND HOW TO EVALUATE 

The methodology used in this report, drafted internally, is based upon information which has 
been gathered using the following methods: 

– 

– 

– 

Compilation and analysis of the existing information on the CSP; 

Use of external reviews from independent experts; 

Use of internal reviews taking into account both the views of users and partners2 

The evaluation will address the following issues: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

the  CSP 

Execution  of 
in  accordance  with  Community  policies  regarding 
implementation  of  standards  and  methods,  provision  of  statistical  service  to  EU 
institutions  and  Member  States,  dissemination  of  statistical  information  and 
statistical support; 

Target of the programme strategies; 

Subsidiarity; 

Balance of needs and resources; 

3. 

THE COMMUNITY STATISTICAL PROGRAMME 

The mission of Eurostat and, by extension, the whole Community Statistical Programme is “to 
provide the European Union with a high quality statistical service”. 

1 
2 

OJ L 42, 16.2.1999, p. 2. 
The complete bibliography is provided in Annex 1. 

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Council Regulation of 17 February 1997 on Community Statistics3 requires the preparation of 
a Community Statistical Programme “which defines the approaches, the main fields and the 
objectives of the actions envisaged for a period not exceeding five years.” 

The  five-year  programme  for  1998  -  2002  is  the  fifth  successive  medium  term  programme 
prepared by Eurostat. The five-year programmes are supported by annual programmes, which 
provide more detailed work objectives for each year. 

4. 

MAIN CONCLUSIONS 

4.1. 

The implementation of the 1998-2002 Community Statistical Programme has to 
a large extent been achieved for all priority and current EU policies 

Priority policies: 

Enlargement 

According to the first draft monitoring and interim evaluation report of the European Union 
Pre-Accession  Instrument  PHARE  in  Statistics  which  was  carried  out  by  an  independent 
consortium,  the  programme  has  achieved  its  general  immediate  objectives  of  strengthening 
the institutions to provide appropriate statistics in general and in the pre-accession context in 
particular. Furthermore, the programme maintains a network of professionals in statistics, at 
individual  and  at  institutional  levels,  which  is  essential  for  the  production  of  comparable 
statistics. However full compliance to the EU statistical standards has not been achieved as of 
end  2002,  but  is  planned  for  the  accession  date.  At  the  end  of  2002,  data  were  collected  in 
accordance with EU standards for almost all statistical areas for the Acceding and Candidate 
Countries. 

Economic and monetary Union 

Eurostat and the Member States had to respond to an enormous increase in demand for macro-
economic  statistics  linked  to  the  introduction  of  the  Euro:  first  the  convergence  criteria  for 
entry  into  the  euro,  then  a  wide  range  of  macro-economic  statistics  for  the  formulation  and 
conduct  of  monetary  policy.  A  benchmark  comparison  with  the  USA  showed  the  need  to 
improve  the  timeliness  and  number  of  macro-economic  series  available  for  the  Eurozone. 
Most  of  the  new  demands  focused  on  short  term  indicators,  significant  progress  has  been 
made in terms of data availability and quality. However, the situation is not fully satisfactory. 
Important  improvements  are  expected  on  data  coverage  and  timeliness  except  for  the 
harmonised indices of Consumer prices (HICP) which already met major user requirements. 

At the end of 2002, Eurostat was in a position to publish the data for Candidate Countries for 
most of the Euro indicators. All were published in 2003. 

3 

OJ L 52, 22.2.1997. p. 1-7. 

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Competitiveness, Growth and Employment 

The  Community  Statistical  System  (CSS)  has  quickly  responded  to  the  new  requirements 
issued for the Lisbon Summit. A battery of structural indicators has been made available and 
methodological improvements are ongoing. 

All policies: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

New  methodologies  and  standards  were  developed  and  implemented  during  the 
period (50% of current statistical legislation in place s of 16.9.2003 was prepared and 
adopted during the period). 

The  provision  of  statistical  services  was  significantly  improved  with  an  increased 
volume  of  available  information  (+300  million,  +215%)  and  information  of  better 
quality. However, new methodologies are not yet fully implemented. Data timeliness 
is far from being fully satisfactory. 

The  improved  quality  of  statistical  services  has  led  to  an  increase  in  online 
information  services  (Website,  online  databases)  and  a  rationalised  publications 
programme. 

Statistical  support  was  provided  not  only  to  Member  States  to  improve  the  current 
CSS but also, to a large extent, to Candidate Countries to comply with EU statistical 
regulations.  A  significant  and  essential  part  of  Eurostat  work  over  the  period  was 
dedicated to this support. 

4.2. 

User satisfaction 

According  to  external  user  satisfaction  surveys  and  Rolling  Reviews4,  users  are  globally 
satisfied with Eurostat and its services. Users think the change in overall quality of the service 
is good. 

4.3. 

Coordination and work planning 

According to the Rolling Reviews carried out over the period, partners consider the planning 
and  co-ordinating  structures  in  the  Community  Statistical  System  as  adequate  even  if 
differences  by  domains  are  identified.  All  partners  acknowledge  the  improvements  in  the 
general  level  of  CSS  co-operation  and  co-ordination  and  the  improvements  in  national 
statistical production. 

4.4. 

Quality 

There has been a change of culture towards quality in the CSS with a better assessment and 
monitoring  of  quality.  In  general,  relevance,  accuracy,  reliability  and  comparability  are  the 
strengths, whereas timeliness and accessibility are the main weaknesses. It is not clear if the 

4 

With the creation of an evaluation function in May 2000, Eurostat began a broad programme of internal 
evaluation  of  all  its  data-producing  activities  based  on  “Rolling  Reviews”.  Rolling  Reviews  imply  a 
thorough  review  of  partners  satisfaction  (NSis,  Central  banks  etc.),  users’  satisfaction  and  costs  for 
Eurostat and for Member States in order to identify the weak points in Eurostat’s performance and to 
come out with a final list of recommendations. 

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investments made by the CSS on improvements to timeliness will be sufficient to meet user 
expectations. 

4.5. 

Effectiveness – Efficiency 

The CSP is considered to be effective since it produces the expected results. 

The evaluation tools in place do not allow proper assessment of the efficiency of the CSP. The 
rapid  development  of  new  statistical  methodologies  and  their  recent  implementation  lead  to 
the  view  that  potential  efficiency  gains  would  be  significant  when  optimising  the  statistical 
processes. 

4.6. 

Implementation of standards 

In  several  statistical  areas,  joint  work  with  international  organisations  on  classifications  has 
made European statistics more comparable with those of other areas of the world. 

4.7. 

Response burden 

In  a  few  statistical  domains,  there  is  some  evidence  that  the  response  burden  has  been 
reduced.  But  due  to  new  statistical  requirements,  the  total  response  burden  may  have 
increased over the period. 

4.8. 

Subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiary has been respected by the CSP 1998-2002. 

4.9. 

Balance of needs and resources 

Sufficient  additional  resources  were  not  allocated  to  the  new  priorities  defined  in  statistical 
activities. No statistical activities were given up. 

4.10.  Evaluation and monitoring of progress 

This  has  been  substantially  developed  since  2000.  Several  external  and  internal  evaluations 
led to recommendations (e.g. Rolling Review on the CSS, Rolling Review on External Trade). 
According  to  the  follow-up  of  improvement  actions  in  April  2003,  70%  of  identified 
recommendations were implemented or in progress at this date. 

5. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

5.1. 

Improve priority setting in the CSS 

Prioritisation  appeared  to  be  very  difficult  and  complex.  It  is  recommended  that  the  CSS 
approve  and  use  a  methodology  for  prioritisation,  taking  into  account  current  and  new 
activities  and  key  criteria  such  as  political  priorities  at  EU  level,  relevance,  data  quality, 
finance bases and cost implications which would lead to improved programming. 

5.2. 

Reduce the time cycle of statistical processes 

Find the best balance between national and EU needs, leading to the choice of one or two of 
the following actions: 

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– 

– 

Systematically  evaluate  data  collection  processes  within  the  CSS  from  a  data 
quality and costs point of view and when new methodologies are developed; 

Adopt  a  data  collection  process  based  on  EU-wide  sample  when  ex-ante 
evaluation  clearly  demonstrates  major  benefits  for  the  CSS  in  terms  of  data 
quality and costs; 

– 

Publish early estimates for EU aggregates as soon as possible. 

5.3. 

Find the appropriate method to work with 25 countries in accordance with the 
objectives of each domain 

In general, appropriate methods should be rapidly defined to work with 25 organisations. The 
use of information technology or a mandate based representation system is also an alternative 
to traditional working parties. 

5.4. 

Improve measurement of Eurostat performance 

Six performance indicators were defined and used to access Eurostat performance. However, 
no indicator  was  defined dealing with the annual output of Eurostat and  Eurostat  resources. 
This will be very helpful to measure improvement in the efficiency of the organisation and the 
CSP. 

5.5. 

Identify  the  management  skills  and  knowledge  at  CSS 
implementation of the CSP 

level  for  the 

In  knowledge  based  organisations  such  as  Eurostat  and  the  CSS,  it  is  strategic  that  the 
management  of  skills  and  knowledge  of  staff  are  in  accordance  with  the  work  plan  and 
priorities. 

In Eurostat, the time needed for developing a methodology corresponds to the normal period 
of a job. As a consequence, knowledge and skills should be capitalised for the benefit of the 
CSS and not lost when staff change. The capitalisation of skills and knowledge at team level 
would increase the sustainability of projects. 

5.6. 

Identify centres of excellence in the CSS in order to outsource statistical works 

Some NSIs have developed in depth expertise in very specific domains, with a larger volume 
of resources than in Eurostat. It would be worth defining the required features of centres of 
excellence, to list potential ones in Europe and to carry out an in-depth feasibility study from 
a statistical, administrative and financial point of view. 

5.7. 

Revision of dissemination policy 

The  revision  of  the  dissemination  policy  should  clearly  be  focussed  on  a  significant 
improvement of the access to data through free online services, which means investments into 
the reference databases. User friendliness, quality of metadata and quality indicators on data 
should also be upgraded in order to increase user satisfaction. 

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5.8. 

Define Eurostat Quality Assurance Plan 

The Eurostat Quality Assurance Plan would describe all measures that are in place to manage 
the quality of data produced by Eurostat on the  model of international  organisations.  It  will 
take into account the process mapping of work procedures and quality records. The document 
would  also  aim  to  identify  the  potential  actions  to  improve  performance  and  reliability  of 
statistical processes. 

5.9. 

Rationalise statistical production  

Rationalise  statistical  production  processes  and  systems  for  improving  efficiency  when 
common steps (data collection, validation, aggregation, and dissemination) are identified and 
when common steps may generate economies of scale. 

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Introduction 

MAIN REPORT 

This  document  represents  the  evaluation  of  the  Community  Statistical  Programme  (CSP) 
1998-2002  as  required  by  Article  4  of  the  Council  Decision  of  22  December  1998  on  the 
Community Statistical Programme 1998-20025 

Article 4: 

“At  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  the  Programme  the  Commission,  after 
consulting the Statistical Programme Committee (SPC), shall present an appropriate 
evaluation report on the implementation of the Programme, taking into account the 
views of independent experts. hat report is to be completed by the end of 2003 and 
subsequently submitted to the European Parliament and the Council” 

The report is structured in 8 chapters, beginning with this introduction. 

Chapter 2 describes the methodological approach used to evaluate the implementation of the 
CSP; 

Chapter 3 describes how the CSP works and the links with the annual work programmes; 

Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 provide the assessment of the implementation of the CSP; 

Chapter 6 deals with the respect of the principle of subsidiary; 

Chapter 7 describes the balance between needs and resources over the period; 

Chapter 8 presents key recommendations. 

Methodology of the evaluation – what and how to evaluate 

This  chapter  outlines  methodological  approach  used  to  evaluate  the  implementation  of  the 
Community Statistical Programme 1998-2002. 

The methodology used in this report, drafted internally, is based upon information which has 
been gathered using the following methods: 

– 

– 

Compilation and analysis of the existing information on the CSP; 

Use of external reviews from independent experts; 

– 

– 

– 

Authoritative external review of agricultural statistics; 

External mid-term review of MEDSTAT statistics; 

ECB quality report on General Economic Statistics; 

5 

OJ L 42, 16.2.1999, p. 2 

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–  Monitoring  and  interim  evaluation  of  the  European  Union  Pre-accession 

instrument PHARE in statistics. 

– 

Use of internal reviews taking into account both the views of users and partners. 

The complete bibliography is provided at Annex 1. 

Unfortunately, as will be highlighted in this report, the Programme is not structured in such a 
way  as  to  permit  the  evaluation  to  be  performed  on  the  basis  of  standard  or  commonly 
accepted procedures. It is necessary to use other methodology than those commonly accepted 
for the EU expenditure programmes. The 2003-2007 Community Statistical Programme was 
designed to be evaluated in accordance with Commission evaluation standards. 

The evaluation will address the following issues 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Implementation of CSP regarding Community policies; 

Target of the programme strategies; 

Subsidiarity; 

Balance of needs and resources. 

(1) 

Implementation of CSP regarding Community policies 

For  each  statistical  theme  and  then  after  consolidation  for  each  EU  policy,  the  level  of 
implementation of CSP has been analysed in 4 basic functions. 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Implementation of standards and methods in order to produce European data that is 
comparable, reliable and relevant; 

Provision of statistical services to EU institutions and Member States supporting the 
conception, implementation, follow-up and evaluation of Community policies; 

Dissemination of statistical information for the European public, for businesses and 
other users, to assess their decision-making; 

Statistical  support  for  developing  countries  and  countries  in  transition  to  modern 
economies. 

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(2) 

Target of the programme strategies 

The target of the CSP has been assessed according to the following questions: 

Target 

Questions 

User satisfaction 

To what extent has user satisfaction increased over the period? 

Priorities – Work planning  To what extent has work planning improved over the period? 

Quality 

To what extent has data quality improved over the period? 

Co-ordination 

To what extent has co-ordination improved over the period 

Effectiveness 

To what extent is the programme effective? 

Response burden 

To what extent has the response burden been reduced over the 
period? 

International standards 

To what extent are Community statistics now more comparable 
with those for other areas of the world? 

(3) 

Subsidiarity 

To what extent has the principle of subsidiarity been respected over the period? 

(4) 

Balance of needs and resources 

To what extent has the Community Statistical System (CSS6) maintained a balance between 
the needs for information for Community policy purposes and the resources required at both 
EU, national and regional level? 

The Community Statistical Programme 

The mission of Eurostat and, by extension, the whole Community Statistical Programme is “to 
provide the European union with a high quality statistical service”. 

Council Regulation of 17 February 1997 on Community Statistics7 requires the preparation of 
a Community Statistical Programme “which defines the approaches, the main fields and the 
objectives of the actions envisaged for a period not exceeding five years.”. 

The five-year programme for 1998 - 2002 is the fifth successive medium term programme of 
work prepared by Eurostat. The five-year programmes are supported by annual programmes, 
which provide more detailed work objectives for each year. 

The  formulation  of  the  Community  Statistical  Programme  (CSP)  hinges  on  a  Council 
Regulation on Community Statistics8, in which a legislative framework for the production of 

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8 

The  CSS  comprises  Eurostat  and  the  statistical  offices,  ministries,  agencies  and  central  banks  that 
collect official statistics in EU Member States. 
OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1-7. 
Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 of 17 February 1997 on Community Statistics. 

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Community  statistics  is  provided.  The  CSP  is  the  framework  programme  for  all  statistics 
produced at Community level. The rationale for a CSP is clear, as there is a need to produce 
statistics  with  a  pan-European  reach  that  will  help  public  authorities  in  their  policy-making 
process. 

Irrespective of the different bodies and Working Groups that participate in the various stages 
of elaboration of the CSP, it is clear that the Council undertakes the approval of the latter. The 
elaboration  and  co-ordination  of  the  programme  rests  largely  on  the  Statistical  Programme 
Committee (SPC) as highlighted by article 2 of Council Decision 89/382/EEC establishing a 
Committee  of  the  Statistical  Programmes  of  the  European  Communities9:  “The  Committee 
shall  assist  the  Commission  in  the  general  co-ordination  of  the  multi-annual  Statistical 
Programmes, in order to ensure that the actions to  be undertaken are consistent  with  those 
decided upon in the national statistical programmes”. 

Evaluation of the implementation of the CSP 1998-2002 

Conclusion on the implementation of the CSP 1998-2002 

The  implementation  of  the  1998-2002  Community  Statistical  Programme  has  to  a 
large extent been achieved for all priority and current EU policies. 

All policies: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

New  methodologies  and  standards  were  developed  and  implemented  during  the 
period  (58%  of  current  statistical  legislation  in  place  as  of  16.9.2003  was  prepared 
and adopted during the period). 

The  provision  of  statistical  services  was  significantly  improved  with  an  increased 
volume  of  available  information  (+  300  million;  +  215%)  and  better  quality 
information.  However,  new  methodologies  are  not  yet  fully  implemented.  Data 
timeliness is far from being fully satisfactory. 

The  improved  quality  of  statistical  services  has  led  to  an  increase  in  online 
information  services  (Website,  online  databases)  and  a  rationalised  publications 
programme. 

Statistical  support  was  provided  not  only  to  Member  States  to  improve  the  current 
CSS but also, to a large extent, to Candidate Countries to comply with EU statistical 
regulations.  A  significant  and  essential  part  of  Eurostat  work  over  the  period  was 
dedicated to this support. 

Main statistical objectives of Community policies and achievements 

Priorities 

Below, the main statistical objectives of each Community policy priorities are given 
with  the  assessment  of  the  implementation  of  the  CSP,  using,  for  some  areas,  the 
views  of  independent  experts.  In  annex  2,  a  detailed  evaluation  of  each  policy  is 
presented in accordance with the methodology. 

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OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47 

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Economic and Monetary Union 

Main  statistical  objectives:  meet  the  statistical  requirements  of  the  stability  and 
growth  pact,  short-term  indicators  of  demand,  output,  labour  market  activity  and 
costs. 

Achievements:  Eurostat  and  the  Member  States  had  to  respond  to  an  enormous 
increase  in  demand  for  macro-economic  statistics  linked  to  the  introduction  of  the 
Euro:  first  the  convergence  criteria  for  entry  into  the  euro,  then  a  wide  range  of 
macro-economic  statistics  for  the  formulation  and  conduct  of  monetary  policy.  A 
benchmark comparison with the USA showed the need to improve the timeliness and 
number  of  macro-economic  series  available  for  the  Eurozone.  Most  of  the  new 
demands focused on short term indicators, where significant progress has been made 
in  terms  of  data  availability  and  quality  in  all  areas:  National  Accounts,  Prices, 
Financial Accounts and Balance of Payments. 

To coordinate the countries in responding to the challenge, particularly for the short-
term statistics, an EMU Action plan was adopted by the Council. Subsequently the 
Council made the following overview of progress on the implementation of the EMU 
action plan (15/01/2003) - Council conclusions. 

“The  Council  endorsed  the  fifth  progress  report  by  the  Economic  and  Financial 
Committee  on  information requirements in EMU.  The  report examines  progress on 
the  implementation  of  the  Action  Plan  on  EMU  Statistical  Requirements  (EMU 
Action Plan), endorsed by the Ecofin Council in September 2000, as well as progress 
on  the  original  report  by  the  Monetary  Committee  on  Information  Requirements  in 
EMU endorsed by the Ecofin Council in January 1999. The Council considers that a 
number  of  Member  States  still  need  to  increase  efforts  to  fulfil  their  obligations 
under the EMU Action Plan in order to improve the statistical basis for economic and 
monetary policy making in  EMU/EU. The targets in several statistical areas set for 
the  end  of  2001  or  2002  have  not  yet  been  met.  Even  if  clear  improvements  have 
been recorded, more remains to be done, notably in Spain and Italy, and to a lesser 
extent  in  France.  To  fulfil  the  needs  of  a  country-by-country  analysis,  also  Greece, 
Ireland,  Luxembourg  and  Portugal  need  to  do  more.  Urgent  attention  should  be 
devoted to the areas of quarterly national accounts by institutional sector (households 
and companies); quarterly government expenditure and revenue; the requirements in 
the labour markets; and new orders for industry and external trade data. The Council 
furthermore  considers  that  in  order  to  meet  shortcomings  identified  in  the  original 
Monetary  Committee  report,  there  is  the  need  for  a  re-balancing  of  statistical 
priorities,  and  a  number  of  coordinated  actions  should  be  implemented  by  the 
Member  States,  notably  in  regard  to  the  list  of  Principal  European  Economic 
Indicators  established  by  the  Commission,  balance  of  payments  statistics,  and 
statistics on services. 

The Council invites the statistical offices in the Member States to take the necessary 
action as a matter of priority. A follow-up report, including the Acceding Countries, 
should be submitted in 2004”. 

Regarding  Maastricht  fiscal  convergence  criteria,  Eurostat  regularly  monitored  the 
quality  of  the  notified  debt  and  deficit  statistics  and  issued  a  substantial  number  of 
decisions  concerning  the  treatment  of  important  transactions.  Moreover,  these 

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decisions  are  codified  in  the  "ESA  95  manual  on  government  deficit  and  debt", 
which sets the quality standards for EDP reporting. 

Balance of payments statistics are compiled in close coordination with the ECB as an 
EMU secondary convergence criteria. 

The  EMU  action  plan  did  not  cover  the  Harmonised  Indices  of  Consumer  Prices 
(HICP) because HICP was considered to already be of sufficient quality to meet the 
needs  of  its  main  users.  The  launch  of  the  Euro-zone  HICP  (so-called  MUICP)  in 
1998 was considered to be a milestone towards Phase III of the EMU. 

Economic, Monetary and Financial statistics for Acceding Countries 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

All  Acceding  Countries  compile  their  national  accounts  on  the  basis  of  ESA 
95; 

Starting  from  January  2001,  all  Acceding  Countries  have  been  publishing 
detailed HICP; 

On  balance  of  payments,  good  progress  towards  the  provision  of  timely  and 
accurate data has been made; 

On government debt and deficit, significant efforts are still required to ensure 
full  compliance  of  the  debt  and  deficit  figures  with  the  ESA  95  accounting 
rules; 

On  external  trade,  progress  still  needs  to  be  made  to  meet  Extrastat  and 
Intrastat EU requirements from the moment of accession. 

At the end of 2002, data was available for most of Euro indicators. The data was first 
published in early 2003. 

Competitiveness, growth and employment 

Main  statistical  objectives:  the  structure  of  the  costs  and  outputs  of  business 
enterprises, structure of the labour market. 

Achievements: the Community policy requirements on competitiveness, growth and 
employment touch a wide range of statistical domains. Significant progress has been 
achieved in most of these domains. One particularly important initiative was set up 
after the Lisbon summit and defined a set of challenging long-term objectives for the 
European  Union.  A  list  of  about  100  Structural  Indicators  has  been  specifically 
designed  in  cooperation  with  other  Commission  services  in  order  to  monitor  the 
status of progress in achieving these objectives. It combines key indicators from the 
statistical  domains  of  general  economic  development,  employment,  innovation  and 
research, economic reform, social cohesion and environment in one set of statistical 
data. The structural indicators have evolved into one of the most consulted parts of 
the Eurostat web site. 

By  the  end  of  2002,  Structural  Indicators  already  had  had  considerable  success  in 
providing  a  quite  comprehensive  overview  on  competitiveness,  growth  and 
employment. Nevertheless, intensive work is still required to complete the range of 

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indicators,  to  improve  data  quality  and  to  provide  harmonised  definitions  in  close 
cooperation with the Commission services and Member States concerned. 

European Union enlargement 

Main  statistical  objectives:  significant  demands  for  reliable  and  comparable 
statistical information for the Candidate Countries. 

Achievements: according to the first draft monitoring and interim evaluation report 
of the European Union Pre-Accession Instrument PHARE in Statistics carried out by 
an  independent  consortium,  the  programme  has  achieved  its  general  immediate 
objectives of strengthening the institutions to provide appropriate statistics in general 
and  particularly  in  the  pre-accession  context.  Furthermore,  the  programme  keeps 
alive a network of professionals in statistics, at individual and at institutional levels 
essential for the production of comparable statistics. However the full compliance to 
the EU statistical standards has not been achieved as of end 2002 but is planned for 
the  accession  date.  At  the  end  of  2002,  data  were  collected  in  accordance  with  EU 
standards for almost all statistical areas for the Acceding and Candidate Countries. 

New EU initiatives in the period 1998-2002 

Sustainable development 

Achievements:  Eurostat  contributed  to  the  definitions  and  methodologies  used  for  the 
UNCSD  set  of  indicators.  A  seminar  was  held  in  1998  on  testing  of  UNCSD  Sustainable 
Development Indicators (SDI) list. In 2001, a publication of SDIs based on the UNCSD set 
was  published.  A  joint  seminar  was  organised  with  UNECE  and  Statistics  Canada  on 
methodological issues for environmental SDIs. Following the adoption of the EU Sustainable 
Development  strategy  at  the  Gothenburg  European  Council  (June  2001),  the  SPC  created  a 
Task  Force  to  develop  an  EU  specific  set  of  SDIs. All  Member  States  and  most  acceding 
countries  have  drawn  up  national  SD  strategies,  and  identified  a  set  of  indicators  for  these 
strategies. These reflect the Member States' own priorities, and may differ from those at EU 
level. A study to be published in 2004 reports the experiences of the 15 EU countries in this 
area. 

Food safety 

Achievements:  Eurostat  has  achieved  its  programme  which  consisted  of  beginning 
to provide an inventory of the existing data and methodologies, developing them and 
setting  up  a  complete  system,  avoiding  duplication,  in  order  to  make  good  quality, 
relevant,  reliable  and  well-documented  information  available  to  policy  makers  and 
consumers.  Cooperation  with  DG  SANCO  was  also  set  up,  notably  regarding  the 
exchange of data and definition of priorities. 

Social exclusion and poverty 

Achievements: The CSS has started to significantly develop work in this policy area, 
directly influenced by the Cardiff and Luxembourg summits. Eurostat seeks to obtain 
the resources necessary to assure the continuation of this work. 

Work on poverty and social exclusion focus on the consolidation of the methodology 
on  income  poverty  and  its  links  with  deprivation  indicators,  including  longitudinal 

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analysis and absolute poverty. Co-operation with Candidate Countries including data 
collection  has  been  achieved.  From  2000  onwards,  8  Statistics  in  Focus  have  been 
published in this field. 

E-Europe – E-Economy 

Achievements: This is an area where it has been imperative to make efforts to invest 
early  to  anticipate  statistical  needs.  The  preparatory  work  on  definitions  and 
methodology  was  accompanied  in  2002  by  the  necessary  investments  in  the 
collection of the indicators required to measure the impact of this phenomenon in the 
economy.  Continuing  work  is  needed  to  ensure  that  the  key  macro-economic 
indicators capture e-commerce activities adequately. Additionally, the increasing use 
of e-commerce will itself provide rich potential for the direct provision of indicators 
in processable form to the CSS. Five Statistics in Focus were released in 2002 on the 
information society. 

Euro Indicators and Structural Indicators 

Achievements: By creating the Euro Indicators and Structural Indicators web sites, 
Eurostat  has  met  frequent  requests  to  combine  the  indicators  that  are  relevant  to 
specific policy areas into a single set of statistical indicators. 

The  Euroindicators  combine  infra-annual  indicators  from  the  domains  of  business 
opinion  surveys,  national  accounts,  balance  of  payments  statistics,  monetary  and 
financial  statistics,  price  statistics,  short-term  business  statistics  as  well  as  labour 
market  statistics  in  order  to  give  an  overview  on  the  various  factors  important  for 
monetary and economic policy making. 

The  Structural  Indicators  combine  indicators  for  general  economic  development, 
employment,,  innovation  and  research,  economic  reform,  social  cohesion  and 
environment  in  order  to  give  an  overview  on  competitiveness,  growth  and 
employment.  Both  web  sites  have  significantly  improved  the  accessibility  of 
statistical information to policy makers and the interested public. 

Migration/Asylum 

Achievements: the work programme has been achieved in the following fields: 

– 

– 

– 

Launch new data collection for monthly asylum and illegal migration data, and 
extension  to  CEEC  (Peco)  countries,  Iceland  and  Norway.  Work  was 
undertaken to extend the publication of these data; 

Extensive support given to countries under MED-MIGR programme; 

The joint (UN, UNSD, ILO and CoE) annual migration and demographic data 
collections now cover EU Member States, EFTA and CEEC countries. 

Benchmarking on research and innovation policies 

Achievements: Following on from the conclusions of the Lisbon Summit, Eurostat 
has  launched,  in  close  cooperation  with  the  National  Statistical  Institutes,  a  major 

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development work of benchmarking indicators, which should lead in the near future 
to more frequent harmonized statistics in this area. 

For an assessment on current Community policies – please see Annex 2 

Implementation of new standards and methods 

Significant achievements have been made for all priority and current policies in the 
development  of new  methodologies in cooperation  with international organisations. 
The  progress  made  is  highlighted  by  the  significant  number  of  Commission 
legislative  acts  adopted  during  the  period  1998-2002.  The  following  table  provides 
evidence of the importance of the work done to improve the statistical system. The 
achievements are significant in the fields of social statistics, transport statistics and 
industry,  services  and  tourism  statistics.  In  the  fields  of  economy  and  finance, 
external trade and agriculture statistics, where a lot of work was already done in the 
former  programme,  a  significant  number  of  new  methodologies  and  improvements 
were also adopted. 

Major areas 

Total number of 
statistical 
legislative acts in 
place as of 
16/09/2003 

Number of 
statistical 
legislative acts 
adopted and 
prepared over the 
period 

Percentage of 
statistical 
legislative acts 
adopted and 
prepared over the 
period 

General 

Agriculture 

Foreign trade 

Economy 
finance 

and 

Energy 
environment 

and 

Industry,  services, 
tourism 

Coal and Steel 

Population 
social conditions 

and 

Transport 

Research 
development 

and 

Committees 

TOTAL 

15 

77 

29 

51 

3 

27 

11 

24 

14 

1 

12 

264 

6 

34 

18 

34 

1 

23 

2 

22 

11 

1 

0 

152 

40% 

44% 

62% 

67% 

33% 

85% 

18% 

92% 

79% 

100% 

0 

58% 

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Provisions of statistical service 

Consequently, the significant volume of adopted methodologies led to an increased 
volume  of  available  information.  Over  the  period  1998-2002,  42  new  statistical 
domains were introduced to meet EU policy requirements. At the end of 2002, about 
100 statistical domains were collecting and disseminating data. 

The volume of available  statistical values was multiplied  by 3.15 at  just  under  300 
million  available  data  (Comext  excluded).  It  represents  an  increase  of  215% 
compared to end of 1997. Most policies benefit from the increase of available data, 
particularly in the areas which did not exist at the beginning of the period. 

Table: Number of available statistical values in the statistical database New Cronos: 

 31/12/1997 

31/12/2002 

Difference 

Growth in % 

General Statistics 

5.265.519

15.232.014

9.966.495 

19.803.181

35.874.319

16.071.138 

189%

81%

Economy and 
finance 

Population and 
social conditions 

Industry, trade 
and services 

Agriculture and 
fisheries 

17.764.801

48.283.943

30.519.142 

172%

14.499.062

47.523.859

33.024.797 

228%

34.577.739

127.065.650

92.487.911 

267%

External trade 

127.597

5.384.139

5.256.542 

4120%

Transport 

2.460.414

14.216.433

11.756.019 

478%

Environment and 
energy 

Science and 
technology 

26.809

3.135.949

3.109.140 

11597%

69.976

1.130.909

1.060.933 

1516%

94.595.098

297.847.215

203.252.117 

215%

Source: New Cronos Monthly Reports 

Concerning  external  trade  data,  more  than  two  billion  statistical  values  for  EU  and 
more  than  600  million  statistical  values  for  Candidates  Countries  have  been  made 
available to Internal and External users through Comext on-line until 2002. 

New methodologies have also had an impact on the quality of statistical information, 
which  is  now  more  relevant,  more  comparable  and  more  accurate.  For  recently 
implemented methodologies, data timeliness is a big issue as processes and resources 
are not stabilised and optimised. For domains which were in place at the beginning of 

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the programme, Eurostat significantly improved by 1.32 years the average timeliness 
of  annual  data  at  3.89  years.  Though  improved,  the  average  timeliness  is  still  too 
high and is not in accordance with user expectations. 

Dissemination 

improved  quality  of  statistical  service  consequently 

The 
dissemination of statistical information. 

led 

to 

increased 

The significant growth of database extractions from New Cronos and Comext which 
contains  all  Eurostat  available  data  from  1998  has  demonstrated  an  increasing 
interest for Eurostat information inside the European Institutions. 

Number of Database Extractions 

General Statistics 

Economy and 
finance 

Population and 
social conditions 

Industry, trade and 
services 

Agriculture and 
fisheries 

External trade 

Transport 

Environment and 
energy 

Science and 
technology 

 31/12/1997

31/12/2002

Difference  Difference %

8943

11765

38122

79434

29179 

67669 

326%

575%

5980

47375

41395 

692%

2793

28882

26089 

934%

7436

21941

14505 

195%

581

2136

1520

4379

3912

6849

3798 

1776 

5329 

654%

83%

351%

414

4476

4062 

981%

41568

235370

193802 

466%

Source: New Cronos Monthly Reports 

Extraction from Comext Database 

Number of extractions 

84956 92124 80267  83749  69354

Year

1988

1999

2000  2001  2002

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Number of extracted records (millions) 

7411 13697 13484  26565  74952

Source: Comext Support 

The  Index  of  Demand,  developed  by  Eurostat  to  measure  the  development  of  the 
demand  for  Eurostat  products  and  services,  grew  by  40%  from  December  2000  to 
December 2002. 

In  order  to  meet  user  requirements  for  fresh  and  understandable  statistical 
information,  the  publications  programme  was  significantly  overhauled  in  1998  and 
1999  and  focused  on  press  releases,  Statistics  in  Focus  and  some  key  Panorama  of 
the EU. The number of Statistics in Focus increased by 62% from 126 in 1998 to 204 
in  2002  covering  all  statistical  areas.  Due  to  their  timeliness  but  also  their 
accessibility  to  the  non-initiated  reader,  SIF  are  very  useful  for  improving 
understanding and uses of available data sources. 

In 2000, the launch of the new Eurostat web site followed by the Euro indicators web 
site  has  significantly  improved  the  accessibility  of  main  statistical  data  with  an 
increasing  number  of  online  free  indicators:  Structural  indicators,  Set  of  indicators 
per theme, Euro indicators…  

Regarding the punctuality of publication, pre-announced publication dates for short-
term indicators have been strictly adhered to over the period. 

The Data Shop network has also contributed to the dissemination of detailed data and 
services, by answering to around 20 000 questions in 1997 and 52 000 in 2002. 

Statistical Support 

With  the  significant  introduction  of  new  methodologies  and  the  statistical 
requirements due to Enlargement, Eurostat dedicated a lot of resources to statistical 
support.  While  time  consuming,  statistical  support  was  provided  through  large 
working groups and country visits aimed at improving and strengthening the national 
statistical systems. The overall value of working groups rated by Member States and 
Candidate Countries participants stand at a high level over the period 2000-2002. 

Average overall value of meetings according to participants’ rates: 

2000 

0,75 

2001 

0,69 

2002 

0,71 

Max: 1; Min: -1 

Evaluation of the Programme strategies 

a) User satisfaction 

– 

According  to  an  external  user  satisfaction  survey  carried  out  over  the  period, 
users  are  on  the  whole  satisfied  with  Eurostat’s  services  (75%  in  February 

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21 

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2003) and consider that the information provided by Eurostat is always or often 
reliable (88% in February 2003) 

– 

According  to  the  9  Rolling  Reviews  carried  out  over  the  period  and  to  the 
authoritative review on agricultural statistics, users in European institutions are 
rather satisfied with Eurostat services and think that the change in the overall 
quality of the service is good. 

b) Co-ordination – working planning – priorities 

According  to  the  Rolling  reviews  carried  out  over  the  period,  partners  consider  the 
planning  and  co-ordinating  structures  in  the  Community  Statistical  System  as 
adequate even if differences by domains are identified. All partners acknowledge the 
improvements  in  the  general  level  of  CSS  co-operation  and  co-ordination  and  the 
improvements in national statistical production. 

Partners are rather satisfied with: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Eurostat’s multi-annual and annual planning system; 

SPC’s role in coordinating the CSS; 

The way goals are defined inside the CSS; 

Responsiveness  and  cooperation  of  Eurostat  staff  as  well  as  with  the  account 
taken of NSI’s needs and problems. 

Partners are not satisfied with: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

The use of the multi-annual programme from a national point of view; 

The  lack  of  clear  definition  of  priorities  in  the  Annual  Work  Programme  and 
indication of subjects that deserve the biggest deployment of resources; 

The  way  the  programme  is  approved  without  knowing  the  full  financial 
position; 

The coordination of large statistical areas that remain outside the CSS such as 
agricultural statistics. 

c) Quality 

There have been development of Quality Management policies in several NSIs and 
Eurostat who participate in formulating the Statistical Programme in accordance with 
user needs to define the processes in place to monitor statistical quality. In addition 
to the long-standing efforts of the working groups, there have recently been several 
more centralised quality initiatives: 

– 

– 

The Quality Declaration of the CSS (signed by all NSIs and Eurostat); 

The  Leadership  Group  on  Quality  (LEG  on  Quality)  and  its  Implementation 
Group; 

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–  Working Group on Quality Assessment in Statistics; 

– 

The  Eurostat  framework  for  delivering  quality,  named  Qualistat  (Quality  in 
Statistics).  About  30  quality  reports  including  Member  States  contributions 
were made over the period. 

The  overall  assessment  of  data  quality  may  be  very  different  from  one  domain  to 
another.  In  general,  relevance,  accuracy,  reliability  and  comparability  are  the 
strengths  of  Eurostat  data  whereas  timeliness  and  accessibility  are  the  main 
weaknesses. 

Strengths 

1. 

Relevance 

Relevance  of  Eurostat  data  is  very  much  appreciated  by  an  increasing  number  of 
sophisticated users. In its statistical work for 2002 Eurostat has shown its capacity to 
cope with the main EU priorities. 

2. 

Comparability 

An  element  of  Eurostat's  core  business  is  to  make  data  comparable  over  space  and 
time.  The  harmonisation  process  of  the  CSS  ensures  data  comparability.  For  2002, 
Eurostat  has  shown  its  capacity  to  cope  with  Enlargement  and  to  provide  an 
increasing  quantity  of  data  relating  to  Candidate  Countries  comparable  with  EU 
Member States. When conceptual differences between sets of data remain, they are 
described and documented. 

3. 

Accuracy and reliability 

The key areas for  accuracy are  government deficit, GNP, regional GDP, HICP  and 
unemployment  that  are  used  for  politically  visible,  decision-making  processes.  In 
these  fields,  data  quality  controls  are  the  most  strict  and  sophisticated.  Data 
processing is not outsourced; these strategic fields and short-term statistics are dealt 
with  strictly  in  house.  However  should  data  processing  be  outsourced  in  other  less 
sensible  domains,  work  is  carried  out  in  accordance  with  published  harmonised 
methodologies and validated by Eurostat experts. 

Weaknesses 

4. 

Timeliness 

The situation is improving but is far from being fully satisfactory. 

Short term data 

For  the  Principle  European  Economic  Indicators,  a  comparison  of  the  delays  for 
publishing between EU Member States and the USA was presented in June 2002. For 
HICP, quarterly national accounts and external trade, the delays for publication are 
the  same  or  close  to  those  of  the  US.  For  business  and  social  statistics,  the  gap 
between the USA and the EU is still wide. 

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The  development  of  flash  estimates  for  quarterly  national  accounts  has  brought  the 
delay to a level comparable with US [final] results, and with the development of the 
HICP flash estimate for the Euro-zone, Eurostat has produced an indicator that gives 
an early indication of the over-all final figure on the last working day of the reference 
month. The full regular HICP data set is published on average 17 days after the end 
of the reference month. The timeliness of short term data has significantly improved 
with the implementation plan of the EMU Action Plan, but user expectations are still 
greater. 

Annual data 

At the end of 2002, the average delay between the most recent available annual data 
and  31.12.2002  amounted  to  3.84  years.  Over  the  period  1998-2002,  significant 
progress  has  been  made  with  a  gain  of  over  one-year.  This  improvement  is 
remarkable  when  you  consider  the  introduction  of  42  new  domains  with  new 
information during this period. Generally, new domains come up against a series of 
problems in data collection and data structure and generally give a worse timeliness 
indicator than current data. 

5. 

Accessibility 

An increasing number of EU data with documentation will be made accessible free 
of charge on the Eurostat web site in the following months. User friendliness should 
also be improved. 

Conclusion – Quality 

There  has  been  a  change  of  culture  towards  quality  in  the  CSS  with  a  better 
assessment and monitoring of quality. In general, relevance, accuracy, reliability and 
comparability  are  the  strengths  whereas  timeliness  and  accessibility  are  the  main 
weaknesses.  In  general,  it  is  not  clear  if  the  investments  made  by  the  CSS  on 
improvements to timeliness will be sufficient to meet user expectations. 

d) Effectiveness 

According  to  the  rolling  review  on  the  functioning  of  the  CSS,  partners  are  rather 
satisfied with the effectiveness of the CSP 1998-2002. Partners interviewed in other 
sectoral rolling reviews also share this view. 

The  CSP  is  considered  as  effective  since  it  produces  the  results  expected  and 
generates improvements in data quality. To assure effectiveness, Eurostat still relies 
today on individual competencies available within the office and the Member States 
and on too large a number of statistical production systems (according to the report 
of the “Life Cycle of Data and improved efficiency). A better structured organisation 
supported by CSS macro processes, the management of skills and a better monitoring 
of projects at Eurostat and CSS level would enable to improve the effectiveness of 
the CSP and to reduce risks of malfunction. 

e) International standards 

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In  several  statistical  areas, 
international  organisations  on 
joint  work  with 
classifications  has  made  European  statistics  more  comparable  with  those  of  other 
areas of the world. The following actions have been achieved: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Introduction  of  the  European  System  of  Accounts  (ESA  95)  in  all  EU  and 
Candidate Countries, which is entirely consistent with the world-level System 
of National Accounts N`SNA95); 

NACE and CPA have been implemented in all Candidate Countries; 

30 countries are now using the same classifications; 

Cooperation is undertaken with the rest of the world; 

Since  2000,  convergence  of  NACE  and  NAICS 
(North  American 
classification)  has  been  studied.  A  detailed  table  of  correspondence  is  now 
available; 

The Eurostat concepts and definitions database is now available on the web in 
3 languages; 

Development  of  the  reference  classifications  and  concepts  for  cross  border 
trade (EBOPS10) and trade via commercial presence, i.e. FATS (ICFA11). 

Eurostat, together with the United Nations, IMF, OECD, UNCTAD and WTO 
have produced a Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services. 

In the field of Economy and Finance statistics and in many other areas, the EU has 
been a pioneer in setting international standards. 

Conclusion – Implementation of standards 

In  several  statistical  areas, 
international  organisations  on 
joint  work  with 
classifications  has  made  European  statistics  more  comparable  with  those  of  other 
areas of the world. 

f) Response burden 

In a few domain statistics, there is some evidence that the response burden has been 
reduced.  But  due  to  new  statistical  requirements,  the  response  burden  may  have 
increased over the period. 

However a lot of effort has been made for a better use of administrative sources and 
developed joint questionnaires with international questionnaires to limit the increase 
of response burden. With the exception of foreign trade, there is still little evidence 
of economies of scale with the introduction of new technologies. 

10 
11 

EBOPS – Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification 
The new classification ICFA (ISIC Categories for Foreign Affiliates) is based on the ISIC (International 
Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities) and set up the best consistency between 
statistics on cross-border trade and on commercial presence. 

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Principle of Subsidiarity 

In  all  statistical  domains,  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  has  been  respected  over  the 
period. 

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Balance of needs and resources 

a) Evolution of resources 

Human resources 

Evolution of Eurostat staff in number of posts 

  Officials
12 
569 
581 
585 
584 

1999 
2000 
2001 
2002 

Over the years 2001 and 2002, Eurostat requested a total of 46 posts (23 in 2001, 23 
in 2002) and received no additional posts (-1 in 2001, 1 in 2002). 

Training 

At the end of 2002, Eurostat staff members spent an average of 7,9 days per year on 
training  compared  to  6,5  days  in  2001.  The  Eurostat  training  programme  covers 
statistical, administration and management topics with a particular focus on these last 
two. 

Evolution of financial resources 

The Activity Based Management system was only introduced in 2001. 

Evolution of budget line B5-60: 

Commitment 
appropriations 

Mio € 

Outturn of 
commitment 
appropriations - % 

Total commitments 
made  
€ Mio 

2001* 

2002+ 

36.152.413,36 

90,05% 

32.556.808,60 

39.746.897,53 

88,34% 

35.112.778,08 

*Source – Annual Accounts, Volume 2, year 2001 

+Source – Provisional Annual Accounts, Volume 2, year 2002 

Over the last three years, budget spending remained stable at about 32 million Euro. 

b) Evolution of needs 

The role of statistics is two-fold: 

12 

Official  includes  Permanent  officials,  T.2A  (Temporary  on  temporary  post)  and  T.2B  (Temporary  on 
Permanent Post 

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– 

– 

Providing a common assessment framework enabling policy co-ordination; 

A more sophisticated tool used for the political decision-making and eligibility 
processes:  Convergence  criteria,  management  of  Stability  and  growth  Pact, 
Eligibility of regions for assistance, definitions of national contributions to the 
EU budget. 

A lot of new initiatives arose over the period 1998-2002. For some such as the EMU 
action, the work was relatively well planned. For others such as structural indicators 
or food safety, Eurostat had to react very quickly and to provide short term solutions. 

According to the rolling review on CSS functioning, the major problem identified by 
CSS partners is the way Eurostat and the CSS face and manage new statistical needs 
of  the  Commission.  “Partners  complain  that  there  is  a  lack  of  balance  in  the  CSS 
between the users (the Commission and the ECB) and the providers, NSIs. “Statistics 
are a “free” good for the Commission, since they do not bear the ongoing production 
costs; therefore there are no cost controls on their demands, as exist in the national 
context  in  all  countries.  The  demands  made  by  users  in  Brussels  are  excessive, 
especially  in  the  context  of  detail”.  They  forget  that  the  information  has  to  be 
collected and paid for”. Partners are not satisfied with the way priorities are set inside 
the CSS. Partners complain about too many priority changes over time and about the 
increasing interference of politics. 

Partners point to  the fact  that  there is a continuous expansion in  statistics required, 
without  adequate  justification,  without  adequate  consideration  of  NSI  resource 
availability, with no effort made at saving resources by limiting programmes that are 
no longer a high priority. 

In several areas for Candidate Countries, the implementation of methodologies is not 
fully  achieved  due  to  resource  constraints  and,  consequently,  a  limited  amount  of 
support. 

Conclusion – Balance of needs and resources 

There were not sufficient additional resources allocated to the new priorities defined 
in  statistical  activities.  The  very  time-consuming  task  of  statistical  support  to  deal 
with enlargement was underestimated. In addition, no statistics were given up. 

Evaluation and monitoring of progress 

This  has  been  substantially  developed  since  2000.  Several  external  and  internal 
evaluations  led  to  recommendations  (e.g.  Rolling  Reviews  on  the  CSS,  Rolling 
Review  on  External  trade).  According  to  the  follow-up  of  improvement  actions  in 
April 2003, 70% of identified recommendations were implemented or in progress at 
this date. 

The conclusions and recommendations of the interim report and rolling review have, 
to  a  certain  extent,  been  taken  into  account  for  defining  of  the  2003-2007  CSP. 
Priorities  and  allocation  of  resources  have  been  broken  down  at  project  level  and 
quantitative objectives have been set up. While some significant projects have been 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
evaluated,  there  is  still  room  for  more  regular  and  systematic  ex  ante  and  ex-post 
evaluation. 

Recommendations 

Improve priority setting in the CSS 

In the  light  of  EU developments over the period, prioritisation appeared to be very 
difficult  and  complex.  It  is  recommended  that  the  CSS  approves  and  uses  a 
methodology  for  prioritisation,  taking  into  account  current  and  new  activities  and 
criteria such as relevance, data quality, finance bases, cost implications. 

The  interface  with  policy  users  should  be  improved,  especially  within  the 
Commission, in order to respond more efficiently and more quickly to users’ needs 
and priorities. 

Reduce the time cycle of statistical processes 

Find the best balance between national and EU needs leading to the choice of one or 
two of the following actions: 

– 

– 

Systematically  evaluate  data  collection  processes  within  the  CSS  from  a  data 
quality and costs point of view and when new methodologies are developed; 

Adopt  a  data  collection  process  based  on  EU-wide  sample  when  ex-ante 
evaluation  clearly  demonstrates  major  benefits  for  the  CSS  in  terms  of  data 
quality and costs; 

– 

Publish early estimates for EU aggregates as soon as possible. 

Find  the  appropriate  method  to  work  with  25  countries  in  accordance  with  the 
objectives of each domain 

In  general,  appropriate  methods  should  be  rapidly  defined  to  work  with  25 
organisations. The use of information technology or a mandate based representation 
system is also an alternative to traditional working parties. An increased use of task 
forces with precise mandates on topics rather than traditional large workings groups 
is also recommended. In addition, regular ‘phone conference calls with all  network 
participants would be an efficient solution to monitor progress on the implementation 
of the work programme. These conference calls are commonly used in multi-national 
organisations for short discussions. 

Improve measurement of Eurostat performance 

Six  performance  indicators  were  defined  and  used  to  assess  Eurostat  performance. 
However,  no  indicator  was  defined  dealing  with  the  annual  output  of  Eurostat  and 
Eurostat  resources.  This  will  be  very  helpful  to  measure  the  improvement  of  the 
efficiency of the organisation and the CSP. 

Identify and manage skills and knowledge at CSS level for the implementation of the 
CSP 

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
In  knowledge  based  organisations  such  as  Eurostat  and  the  CSS,  it  is  strategic  that 
the  management  of  skills  and  knowledge  of  staff  are  in  accordance  with  the  work 
plan and priorities. 

In Eurostat, the time needed for developing a methodology corresponds to the normal 
period of a job. As a consequence, knowledge and skills should be capitalised for the 
benefit  of  the  CSS  and  not  lost  when  staff  change.  The  capitalisation  of  skills  and 
knowledge at team level would increase the sustainability of projects. 

Identify centres of excellence in the CSS in order to outsource statistical work 

Some  NSIs  have  developed  in  depth  expertise  into  very  specific  domains  with  a 
larger volume of resources than in Eurostat. It would be worth defining the required 
features of centres of excellence, to list potential ones in Europe and to carry out an 
in-depth  feasibility  study  from  a  statistical,  administrative  and  financial  point  of 
view. 

Revision of dissemination policy 

The revision of the dissemination policy should clearly be focussed on a significant 
improvement  of  the  access  to  data  through  free  online  services  which  means 
investments into the reference databases. User friendliness, quality of metadata and 
quality  indicators  on  data  should  also  be  upgraded  in  order  to  increase  user 
satisfaction. 

Define Eurostat Quality Assurance Plan 

The Eurostat Quality Assurance plan would describe all measures that are in place to 
manage the quality of data it produced on the model of international organisations. It 
will take into account the process mapping work procedures and quality records. The 
document  would  also  aim  to  identify  the  potential  actions  to  improve  performance 
and reliability of statistical processes. 

Rationalise statistical production 

Rationalise  statistical  production  processes  and  systems  for  improving  efficiency 
when common steps (data collection, validation, aggregation, and dissemination) are 
identified and when common steps may generate economies of scales. 

EN 

30 

   EN 

 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Regarding the bibliography used in the report, the main documents are the following: 

External reviews 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Report  on  Mid-Programme  evaluation  of  the  Community  Statistical 
Programme 1998-2002. (IDOM Report) 

First  draft  monitoring  and  interim  revaluation  report  of  the  European 
Union Pre-accession Instrument PHARE in Statistics 

Fifth report on the Implementation of the EMU Action Plan 

Authoritative external review of agricultural statistics 

External mid-term review of MEDSTAT statistics 

EBC  quality  report  on  General  Economic  Statistics  –  August  2003  – 
Draft 

Conclusions  of  ECOFIN  Council  –  15.01.2003  –  Overview  of  progress 
on the Implementation of the EMU Action Plan 

Internal Reviews 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Council  Decision  on  the  Community  Statistical  Programme  1998-2002 
on  the  Community  Statistical  Programme  and  the  Accompanying 
Document 

Statistical  Programmes  of  the  Commission  for  1998,  1999  and  2000, 
2001, 2002 

Execution  reports  on  the  annual  work  programmes.  Years  1998,  1999 
and 2000, 2001, 2002 

Quality Work and Quality Assurance within Statistics 

Several articles published in SIGMA Newsletter (1999-2001) 

–  Minutes  of  several  meetings  of  the  Working  Group  on  the  Annual 

Statistical Programme 

– 

Compte de gestion et bilan financier. Afférents aux opérations du budget 
de l´éxercise 2000 

–  Minutes of the meetings of the Statistical Programme Committee 

– 

Information about the Quality Reports 

EN 

31 

   EN 

 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Eurostat  Rolling  Reviews:  External  trade,  National  Accounts,  Labour 
Force  Survey,  European  Community  Household  Panel,  R&D  and 
innovation, Community Statistical System, Balance of payments 

Data Life Cycle Object Model for statistical information systems 

Action  plans  to  implement  the  conclusions  and  recommendations  from 
the Rolling Reviews 

The Directors-General of the NSIs’ conferences 

Annual Policy Strategy Circular 2002, 2003 

Several guides for the evaluation of EU programmes 

Partners’  Survey  Forms  on  the  European  Community  Household  Panel, 
Labour  force  statistics,  CSS,  Trade  in  goods,  National  Accounts  and 
R&D innovation statistics 

Collection  of  comments  from  Eurostat’s  Partners  Satisfaction  Survey, 
survey  which  was  run  by  Eurostat  Internal  Evaluation  Sector  between 
December 2000 and May 2001 

CSS Partner Satisfaction Survey, Pilot exercise 1998 

New Cronos Monthly reports 

User Satisfaction surveys. 

EN 

32 

   EN 

 
GLOSSARY 

CSP 

SPC 

PHARE 

HICP 

CSS 

Community Statistical Programme 

Statistical Programme Committee 

Action  Plan  for  coordinated  aid 
to  Poland  and  Hungary 
(subsequently  extended  to  the  remainder  of  the  Central  and  East 
European Countries) 

Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices 

Community Statistical System 

MEDSTAT 

Mediterranean Statistics 

EMU 

ESA 

EDP 

ECB 

UNCSD 

SDI 

UNECE 

CEC 

UN 

UNSD 

ILO 

Economic and Monetary Union 

European System of Integrated Economic Accounts 

Excessive Debt Procedure 

European Central Bank 

United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development 

Sustainable Development Indicators 

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 

Commission of the European Communities 

United Nations 

United Nations Statistics Division 

International Labour Organisation 

COMEXT 

Database  for  statistics  on  the  European  Union's  external  trade  and 
trade between Member States 

New Cronos 

Macroeconomic and social database 

NSI 

LEG 

GNP 

GDP 

National Statistical Institutes 

Leadership Group 

Gross National Product 

Gross Domestic Product 

EN 

33 

   EN 

 
NACE 

CPA 

NAICS 

FATS 

ICFA 

ISIC 

IMF 

OECD 

General  Industrial  Classification  of  Economic  Activities  in  the 
European Commission 

Classification of Products by Activity 

Northern American Industry Classification System 

Foreign Affiliates Trade Statistics 

ISIC Categories for Foreign Affiliates 

International  Standard  Industrial  Classification  of  all  Economic 
Activities 

International Monetary Fund 

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 

UNCTAD 

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development 

WTO 

SLIM 

TACIS 

MED 

TAPAS 

CAP 

LUCAS 

EAA 

ITS 

FDI 

World Trade Organisation 

Simpler Legislation for Internal Market 

Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States 

Mediterranean 

Technical Action Plan for Improving Agricultural Statistics 

Common Agricultural Policy 

Land use/Cover Area Frame Statistical Survey 

Economic Accounts for Agriculture 

International Trade in Services 

Foreign Direct Investment  

NST-2000 

Standard international classification for goods in transport 

AWP 

PDU 

FISIM 

NCBs 

GES 

Annual Work Programme 

Unit Development Plan 

Financial intermediation services indirectly measured 

National Central Banks? 

General Economic Statistics 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
BOP 

LFS 

ISCED97 

TF MLLL 

ESSPROS 

ESAW 

HBS 

ECHP 

CEDEFOP 

IDA-CARE 

MEHM 

EU-SILC 

EHSS 

ECHIS 

SHA 

EODS 

COD 

HIS 

CES 

Balance of payments 

Labour Force Survey 

International Standard Classification of Education 

Task Force “Measuring Life Long Learning” 

European System of Social Protection Statistics 

European Statistics on Accidents at Work 

Household Budget Survey 

European Community Household Panel 

Centre  européen  pour 
professionnelle 

le  développement  de 

la 

formation 

International  Development  Association  –  système  communutaire 
sur les accidents de la route en Europe 

Minimum European Health Module 

European Union – Statistics in Income and Living Conditions 

European Health Survey System 

European Core Health Interview Survey 

System of Health Accounts 

European Occupational Diseases Statistics 

Causes of Death 

Health and health-related survey 

Conference of European Statisticians 

PRODCOM 

The EU-wide harmonised classification of products produced by the 
industrial sector specified in Council Regulation No. 3924/91 

SBS 

STS 

SSIS 

SEC 

Structural Business Statistics 

Short-term Statistics 

Structural Statistics for Industry and Services 

EN: System of National Accounts 

EN 

35 

   EN 

 
NUTS 

STI 

CIS 3 

EEA 

IRENA 

SEEA 

CARDS 

ACP 

Classification of territorial units 

Science, Technology and Innovation 

Third Community Innovation Survey 

European Environment Agency 

Indicator  Reporting  on  the  Integration  of  Environmental  Concerns 
into Agricultural Policy 

System of integrated Environmental and Economic Accounts 

Cooperation with the Western Balkan countries 

Countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific 

EU-CAN 

European Union-Canada 

MED NSO 

Mediterranean National Statistical Offices 

EN 

36 

   EN 

 
 
DETAILED EVALUATION OF POLICIES 

FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS 

Treaty title 
TITLE I: FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

53 – Trade in goods 
57  –  Other  economic  statistics  (statistics  on 
the internal market) 
44 – Industry 
45 – Energy and raw materials 
47 – Distributive trades 
48 – Transport 
64 – Crop production 
65 – Animal production 
66 – Agro-industry statistics 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

Improve the operation of the Intrastat system and the quality of its results in terms of 
precision  and  availability,  in  particular  to  respond  to  the  requirement  to  produce 
national accounts; 

Reduce its burden on respondents via alternative and simplification proposals; 

Analyse in depth the statistical implications of a possible change to the VAT system 
and the requirement to produce timely, accurate figures at macro level, and propose 
alternative statistical developments. 

Achievements: The CSP objectives in the field of free movements of goods have been met. In 
1999,  Eurostat  has  adopted  a  long-term  strategic  plan  that  was  the  subject  of  extensive 
consultation;  it  dealt  with  all  statistics  relating  to  the  trading  of  goods  and  its  specific  aims 
were to improve the reliability of results, speed up the availability of statistics and add to the 
range of statistics on offer in order to respond better to changing demand. Most of the actions 
to  be  carried  out  were  included  in  a  five-year  programme  (Edicom)  adopted  through  a 
European Parliament and Council decision in 2001. Considerable improvements have already 
been  achieved  over  the  period,  in  particular  as  regards  the  timeliness  and  the  on  timeliness 
and availability of new indicators (seasonally adjusted data and indices). However, the global 
level of asymmetries has not been reduced significantly. 

Concerning  the  simplification  of  Intrastat,  the  collection  system  was  simplified  on  two 
occasions  in  1999  and  2000  in  the  frame  of  the  SLIM  initiative  (Simpler  Legislation  for 
Internal  Market).  Additional  studies  were  carried  out,  in  particular  an  opinion  poll  of 
information providers in six Member States. In the light of the results of these studies, it did 
not appear opportune to bring radical changes. However, a new legislation was prepared (still 
in discussion) with the aim to improving the existing system. 

EN 

37 

   EN 

 
To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

The  definition  and  start  of  a  strategic  plan  for  2001-2005,  including  all  aspects  of 
methodologies,  organisations  and  IT  (Edicom  II)  is  a  major  achievement  to  cope  with  the 
statistical requirements of the EMU action plan. 

Provision of statistical services 

The  provision  of  statistical  services  in  the  field  of  trade  of  goods  made  significant 
improvements in the following areas: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Data quality: early estimates, quality controls and analysis of asymmetries are 
regularly performed; 

Timeliness of macro indicators, in particular within the framework of the EMU 
action plan; 

Development  of  links  between  external  trade  registers  with  business  registers 
in order to measure intra business trade; 

Implementation  of  the  data  collection  network  for  foreign  trade  data  with 
Candidate  and  TACIS  Countries.  With  Central  European  countries,  data 
collection covers all monthly periods since 1995. TACIS data provision refers 
to the quarter since 1998 while MED Countries have been providing monthly 
data since 2000. 

Most  of  the  data  collected  are  coherent  to  standards  set  up  by  Eurostat  in  order  to  improve 
data quality and comparability. 

According to the 5th progress report on the implementation of the EMU action plan, "In 2002; 
first  estimates  of  Euro  area  trade  with  the  rest  of  the  world  are  released  after  50-53  days, 
showing a slight improvement (about 3 days in average). Further improvements in timeliness 
of first estimates are still necessary for Ireland (which currently provides data within 60 days), 
Austria (64 days), and Greece (106 days). Due to the implementation of a new methodology, 
analysis of external trade for the Euro area has suffered in 2002 from the temporary lack of 
volume  and  unit  value  indices.  First  results  for  the  period  from  January  2000  to  July  2002 
have become available recently using the improved method for calculating the indices. So as 
to ensure a consistent basis for comparison of trade developments over time, longer historical 
series  starting  earlier  than  January  2000  will  urgently  be  needed  due  to  the  changes  in  the 
method of their calculation. 

Dissemination 

– 

– 

The  publications  programme  was  streamlined  in  order  to  focus  on  priorities 
and online dissemination; 

About 366,000 pages on external trade were consulted on the Eurostat web site 
from 2000 to 2002; 

EN 

38 

   EN 

 
– 

Data are published regularly and on a timely basis according to pre-established 
schedules; 

– 

The Comext database was accessed over the period more than 400.000 times. 

System  improvements  permitted  integration  of  data,  massive  extractions  and  better  remote 
access.  Average  internal  access  decreased  (-37%)  while  external  accesses  increased  (610%) 
over the period. In terms of extracted records, considerable increases are observed (817% and 
3816% respectively). 

Statistical support 

Statistical support was provided to Candidate, TACIS and Mediterranean Countries to extend 
the collection system and to integrate quarterly data. 

Conclusion 

Community Statistical Programme  objectives in the  field  of  free  movement  of  goods  policy 
have been met. Considerable improvements have been achieved over the period but important 
progress on timeliness and historical series is still needed. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According to the rolling review on trade of goods, users think that the change in the overall 
quality  of  the  service  is  good  and  extensively  use  Comext  data  for  the  establishment  and 
follow up of main EU policies. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

According to the rolling review on trade of goods: 

partners  are  satisfied  with  the  functioning,  organisation  and  effectiveness  of 
planning and co-ordinating structures in the area of trade of goods; 

partners are globally satisfied with the functioning of the CSS except from the 
capability of the CSS to learn from best statistical practices. 

– 

– 

c) Quality 

According  to  the  rolling  review  on  trade  of  goods,  users  are  satisfied  with  accuracy, 
reliability,  coherence,  accessibility,  completeness  and  timeliness  of  data.  While  the  services 
provided by the online system, CD ROM and paper publications are considered sufficient by 
regular  users,  improvements  in  terms  of  access  facilities  through  WEB  and  derived 
information (confidential treatment, links to tariff and other information) is needed. 

On  average,  intra-trade  data  are  transmitted  7.5  days  before  the  6  weeks  mandatory  delay. 
From 1999 to 2001 it had improved by 9 days. For extra trade data, the improvement amounts 
to 4 days but is still over the 6 weeks limit by 2.2 days. 

EN 

39 

   EN 

 
d) Effectiveness 

Over  the  period,  effectiveness  of  the  programme  improved  as  delays  of  data  transmission 
were reduced and new indicators were made available (seasonally adjusted data and indices). 

e) International standards 

Community concepts are globally consistent with the United Nations concepts. 

f) Response burden 

The increase of electronic trade declarations from 68% in 1998 to 74% in 2000 contributed to 
reduce the response burden. 

Conclusion: 

All programme strategies have been improved over the period. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

57 % for the period 98-99 (Edicom 1) and 42 % for the period 2001-2002 (Edicom II) were 
granted to Member States. 

Balance of needs and resources 

When  starting  to  revise  the  system  for  trade  of  goods  statistics  between  Member  States 
collected  through  Intrastat,  studies  undertaken  in  2002  showed  that  there  was  no  need  for  a 
substantial change in the system. 

The collection of trade of goods statistics with non-EU Member States (Extrastat), based on 
customs declarations represents a limited burden on Member States. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

Implementation 
new 
of 
standards 
and 
methods 

Provision  of 
statistical 
services 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

53 

57 

References 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Provided 

Achieved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

-Economic and monetary policy evaluation 

-Fifth progress report on the implementation of information requirements in EMU 

-ECB quality report on general economic statistics. 

EN 

40 

   EN 

 
AGRICULTURE 

Treaty title 
TITLE II: AGRICULTURE 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

61 - Land use and countryside 
62 – Agricultural structures 
63 – Agricultural incomes and prices 
64 – Crop production 
65 – Animal production 
66 – Agro-industry statistics 
67 – Reforming agricultural statistics 
68 – Forestry statistics 
69 – Fisheries statistics 
53 – Trade in goods 
72 – Regional and geographical information 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

Apply  the  TAPAS  scheme  for  progressive  improvements  to  the  existing  set  of 
agricultural  statistics,  mainly  as  far  as  quality,  comparability,  efficiency  savings, 
simplification and timeliness is concerned;   
-plan  the  development  of  agricultural  statistics  with  the  aim  of  meeting  the  future 
needs of the CAP, in particular of rural development; 

assist in the development of comparable data for negotiations on the enlargement of 
the Union; 

consolidate and improve the quality of fishery statistics. 

Achievements: The implementation of new methods was not achieved to the same level in all 
areas.  In  land  use  and  landscape,  agriculture  structures  and  agricultural  incomes  and  prices, 
the  objective  was  achieved.  In  crop  and  animal  production,  agro  industry  statistics,  forestry 
and fishery statistics, it was only partially achieved. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

The introduction of new methods was different, depending on the areas concerned. In land use 
and  landscape,  crop  and  animal  products,  agriculture  structures,  agricultural  incomes  and 
prices  and  fishery  statistics  the  objective  was  achieved.  In  forestry,  it  was  only  partially 
achieved. 

General 

Decision N°1919/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2002 
amending  Council  Decision  96/411/EC  on  improving  Community  agricultural  statistics 
extending the TAPAS programme to the period 2003-2007 was adopted. 

EN 

41 

   EN 

 
Land use and landscape 

-Methodological improvements for the second LUCAS pilot survey (2003) were developed; 

-Commission Decision 2002/750/EC on the continued application of a real survey and remote 
sensing techniques to agricultural statistics for 2002-2003 was adopted. 

Agricultural structures 

-Commission’s  Decision  n°  98/377/CE  of  18.5.1998  and  Commission’s  Regulation 
n°143/2002 which defined the list of characteristics for the 1999-2000, 2003, 2005 and 2007 
farm structure surveys were adopted. 

Agricultural incomes and prices 

-New methodological manual on price statistics was developed. 

-Development of agricultural labour input data (alignment to new EAA methodology). 

Crop production 

-An amendment of Council Regulation N°959/93 was completed; 

-Progress  has  been  made  on  the  elaboration  of  an  inventory  concerning  statistical 
methodology; 

-The basic survey in 2000 on vineyards was carried out; 

-The survey of orchards was launched in 2002; 

-Publication of statistical methodology. 

Animal production 

-Inventory of methods on live stock surveys, meat production and milk production in Member 
States and Candidate Countries; 

-Agreement has been reached on two main sensitive domains: the protein content of milk and 
milk  products  and  the  regional  production  of  cows’  milk.  For  both  domains,  methods  of 
measurement and/or estimation have been agreed; 

-Draft revision to Council Directive 96/16/EC was prepared. 

Agro industry statistics 

-Proposed measures to revise NACE and CPA in 2007; 

-The food safety statistics were launched; 

Reforming agricultural statistics 

Adoption of Commission Communication (COM (2001) 144) on statistical information needs 
for agri-environmental indicators. 

EN 

42 

   EN 

 
Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical service in the field of agricultural statistics has improved over the 
period. The implementation of new Commission and Council regulations led to an increased 
volume of available data and data of better quality. 

Land use and landscape 

-The first round of Lucas (Land use/Cover Area Frame Statistical Survey) pilot surveys was 
completed by the analysis of the results. 

Agricultural structures 

-Collection and dissemination of the 1997 survey data; 

-Reports on Eurofarm were transmitted to Council in 1999 and 2002. 

Agricultural incomes and prices 

-Collection, analysis and publication of the EAA data; 

-Internalisation and standardisation of the EAA production database (FAME-based); 

-Collection of Candidate Countries’ data; 

-Development of a comprehensive Agricultural Information System (AgrIS) and distribution 
to Member States. 

Crop production 

-Collection  and  processing  of  EU  Member  States  and  Candidate  Countries  data  and  early 
estimates; 

-Implementation of the TAPAS action plan. 

Animal production 

-Collection and analysis of EU Member States and Candidate Countries data; 

-Final implementation of TAPAS actions on poultry meat and milk production data. 

Agro-industry statistics 

-Implementation of food supply balance sheets; 

-Co-operation with DG SANCO and DG ENTR; 

-In the field of food safety, inventory of available data has been achieved. 

Reforming agricultural statistics 

Authoritative  review  of  agricultural  statistics  was  completed  and  the  implementation  of 
recommendations has started. 

EN 

43 

   EN 

 
Forestry statistics 

-Collect and process data for Member States and Candidate Countries; 

-Improvement of a set of economic, social and environment related forestry indicators. 

Fishery statistics 

-Implementation of the Council Regulations on catch, landings and aquaculture production; 

-Improved data quality; 

-Study of employment data in the fisheries sector in Member States. 

In all agricultural statistics,  the  volume  of available data rose by 92 million values over the 
period which represents an increase by 267% compared to end of 1997. 

Dissemination 

The  dissemination  of  agricultural  statistics  made  significant  progress  over  the  period. 
However, accessibility to online detailed information is still an issue. 

Agriculture  pages  on  the  web  site  were  consulted  about  500.000  times  from  January  2000, 
which represents 8% of web consultations. Databases extractions increased by 195% over the 
period. 

The publications programme was streamlined with a focus on Statistics in focus. About 120 
Statistics in Focus were released from 2000 on key topics of agricultural statistics: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Agricultural price trends 

Areas under cereals 

Structure of agriculture holdings 

Cattle population 

Agricultural incomes 

–  Women and men in agriculture 

– 

Thirty years of agriculture 

–  Milk collection 

– 

– 

– 

Fishery statistics: EU catches 

Land use-Land cover: Lucas 2001 primary results 

European aquaculture. 

In  addition,  more  than  30  detailed  tables  published  including  CD-ROM  were  released  to 
provide users with all relevant tables. 

EN 

44 

   EN 

 
Statistical support 

Strong  statistical  support  was  provided  to  Candidate  Countries  to  improve  the  statistical 
system and to enable them to carry surveys following EU standards. 

Conclusion 

The  Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  agricultural  statistics  have 
been met. Considerable improvements have been achieved over the period. 

Programme targets 

An  authoritative  review  of  agricultural  statistics  was  completed  in  2002  by  an  external 
consultant. 

a) Users 

According  to  the  authoritative  review,  “Users  are rather  satisfied  with  Eurostat's  services  in 
the  field  of  agricultural  statistics.  Delivery  time,  assistance  and  relationships  are  well 
appreciated”. 

If  we  take  into  account  the  volume  of  processed  information,  the  quality  of  statistical  data 
meets user needs well. According to users, improvements are expected in terms of freshness, 
completeness and coherence. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

According to the authoritative review, priorities and strategies stated in the 5 year programme 
are  not  strictly  speaking  deployed  in  the  agricultural  statistical  field  in  a  structured  and 
systematic  way  and  but  are  implemented  in  an  empirical  way.  Due  to  Commission 
procedures,  it  takes  too  much  time  to  adopt  legal  bases  that  are  required  at  CSS  level  to 
organise data collection. The agricultural statistical system works rather well from the initial 
request  to  the  delivery  of  harmonised  data.  The  strong  relationships  between  Eurostat,  the 
Agriculture DG and Member States led to improved coordination of the agricultural statistical 
system. 

c) Quality 

According to the authoritative review, “users acknowledge Eurostat’s efforts to improve the 
quality of statistics”. Annual data timeliness improved by 22% over the period. Data quality 
has been assessed in quality reports on farm structure survey and crop and animal products.  

Improvements  in  terms  of  timeliness,  coherence,  accessibility  and  clarity  are  expected  by 
users. 

d) Effectiveness 

According to the authoritative review, the agricultural statistical system is relatively effective 
since  it  produces  the  results  expected.  To  assure  effectiveness,  Eurostat  still  relies  today  on 
individual competencies available within the office and the Member States.  

EN 

45 

   EN 

 
A better-structured organisation supported by CSS macro processes would enable Eurostat to 
reduce dysfunction, prevent risks and optimise the system. 

e) International standards 

Agricultural statistics do not use standard NACE and CPA classifications. Proposed measures 
to revise NACE and CPA in 2007 have been introduced. 

There is a part of forest products statistics which is common with the UN/ECE requirements 
through the "joint questionnaire". Little progress has been made to make EU statistics more 
comparable with those of other areas of the world. 

f) Response burden 

According to the authoritative review, Member States judge the volume of data required by 
Eurostat as being too high, survey questionnaires too dense and the burden on respondents too 
heavy. 

Conclusion 

All  programme  strategies  except  for  response  burden  and  international  standards  have  been 
improved over the period. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in agricultural statistics. 

Balance of needs and resources 

According  to  the  authoritative  review,  Eurostat  demand  for  national  data  does  not  take  into 
account Member States' constraints and limits (resources, burdens on farmers). Sustainability 
of resources is also questioned for start-up projects. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes 

Provision 
of 
statistical services 

Dissemination 

Statistical support 

Introduction 
of 
new standards and 
methods 
Achieved 
Achieved 

Improved 
Improved 

Improved 
Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Partially achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Partially achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Partially achieved  Not improved 
Partially achieved 
Partially achieved 
Achieved 
Achieved 

Improved 
Improved 
Improved 
Improved 

Not improved 
Improved 
Improved 
Improved 
Improved 

support 

support 

Support provided 
Strong 
support 
provided 
Strong 
provided 
Strong 
provided 
Strong 
provided 
Support provided 
Support provided 
Support provided 
Support provided 
Provided 

support 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

61 
62 

63 

64 

65 

66 
67 
68 
69 
53 

References 

EN 

46 

   EN 

 
-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

EN 

47 

   EN 

 
FREE MOVEMENT OF PERSONS, SERVICES AND CAPITAL 

Treaty title 
TITLE  III:  Free  movement  of  persons, 
services and capital 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Eurostat work themes 

31 – Population 
47 – Distributive trades 
48 – Transport 
49 – Communication 
50 – Tourism 
51 – Services 
54 – Balance of payments 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

Harmonisation  of  concepts  used  in  the  area  of  migration,  and  as  used  in  censuses, 
social surveys and administrative registers; 

Analysis of available data; 

Services and capital: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

pilot surveys will be launched and the structural business survey will be implemented 
on a progressive basis; 

pilot  studies  will  be  launched  and  the  Short-term  Statistics  Regulation  will  be 
implemented with particular focus on the service sector; 

studies  will  be  realised  to  determine  the  needs  for  statistics  in  the  field  of 
communication and of the information society; 

users  requirement  analyses,  sources  assessment,  data  collection  and  testing  of 
methods by pilot studies in the audio-visual sectors will be undertaken; 

implementing  the  Directive  adopted  in  1995  will  further  develop  existing  tourism 
statistics; 

the  Regulations  on  structural  business  statistics,  short-term  statistics  and  business 
registers for statistical purposes will be implemented. 

In  all  statistical 

themes,  population,  distributive 

Achievements: 
transport, 
communication,  tourism,  services,  and  balance  of  payments,  new  methodologies  were 
developed  to  further  improve  the  quality  of  statistics.  These  improvements  led  to  a  large 
increase of available data in terms of times series, variables and geographical coverage and a 
better data quality. Some projects in the field of balance of payments, distributive trades and 
tourism statistics were not achieved due to resource constraints. 

trades, 

EN 

48 

   EN 

 
To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

In  all  statistical  themes,  population,  distributive  trades,  transport,  communication,  tourism, 
financial  services,  business  services,  audio-visual  and  balance  of  payments,  new 
methodologies were developed to further improve the quality of statistics. 

Some examples: 

-a new methodology was developed to calculate harmonised demographic indicators; 

-joint Eurostat-ECE recommendations for the 2001 census data collection have been prepared 
and used for data collection which covers 32 countries; 

-a harmonised methodology for business demography was developed. Business demography 
data are now collected on a voluntary basis from 11 countries; 

-business  services  statistics  are  now  covered  by  voluntary  data  collection  for  a  majority  of 
Member States; 

-statistics  on  foreign  affiliates  were  collected  from  a  majority  of  Member  States  and  the 
drafting of regulation has begun; 

-publication of methodological work on intermodal freight transport; 

-adaptation of transport statistics of Candidate countries; 

-methodological  work  was  carried  out  to  include  major  changes  and  new  items  in 
communication statistics (including audio visual statistics); 

-methodological follow up on examining adaptations of national statistical systems to comply 
with the directive; 

-an implementation manual for Tourism Satellite Accounts was prepared and adopted by the 
Working group; 

-services  to  businesses/new  questionnaires  have  been  designed  in  the  field  of  informatics, 
human resources management, consultancy services and advertising services; 

-services  to  businesses/new  questionnaires  have  been  designed  in  the  field  of  informatics, 
human resources management, consultancy services and advertising services. 

Development of the revision of EU Member States Balance of payments collection systems, 
due  to  the  implementation  of  the  Commission  Regulation  on  cross  border  holdings 
(introducing an exemption reporting threshold); 

-Advanced state of the draft Regulation on Balance of payments statistics, International Trade 
in Services (ITS) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows and positions and kick off of the 
draft regulation on the structure and activity of foreign affiliates (FATS); 

EN 

49 

   EN 

 
-Implementation  of  the  new  methodology  on  goods  and  on  portfolio  income  in  Balance  of 
payments statistics; 

-Final report from Technical Group “Travel” on the revision of the collection systems for the 
travel  item  of  the  balance  of  payments  of  EU  Member  States  following  stage  three  of  the 
EMU. 

Provision of statistical services 

In  all  statistical  themes  related  to  free  movements  of  persons,  services  and  capital  policy, 
significant  improvements  have  been  achieved  in  the  provision  of  statistical  services.  These 
improvements led to a large increase of available data in terms of times series, variables and 
geographical coverage.  

Main directives and regulations were implemented such as: 

-In business structural statistics, the regulation 58/97 was implemented with a strong focus on 
the quality of the data, which has been significantly improved. 

In  short  term  business  statistics,  the  implementation  of  Regulation  1165/98  was  started  and 
progressed for a number of good quality key indicators. Regular and timely publications of a 
series of key indicators by Eurostat and the ECB were issued. 

-Full implementation of the Directive on maritime statistics. 

-On audio-visual services statistics, implementation of the Council Decision, launch of pilot 
studies  and  methodological  work  on  film,  TV,  radio  and  audio-visual  balance  of  payments 
among  other  topics.  A  comprehensive  database  has  been  implemented  also  potentially 
covering the non-Member States including, for 2002, 106 main indicators and 418 variables. 

-Implementation  of  the  Directive  on  tourism  statistics.  The  report  to  the  Council  relating  to 
the implementation of the Directive was adopted in January 2001. 

Dissemination 

Consultations  of  databases  and  publications  of  the  statistical  themes  increased  significantly 
over the period: 

-Transport statistics database consultation growth +83% 

-Business statistics database consultation growth +934%. 

Statistical support 

Support  was  provided  to  Candidate  Countries  in  all  themes  and  also  to  Mediterranean 
countries in some areas such as transport and population. 

Conclusion: 

The Community statistical objectives in the field of free movements of persons, services and 
capital have been achieved. 

EN 

50 

   EN 

 
Programme targets 

a) Users 

No information available. 

b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

No information available. 

c) Quality 

Data  quality  has  been  improved  in  general  in  all  domains.  Timeliness,  completeness  and 
comparability have been improved. 

d) Effectiveness 

The  Statistical  Programme  is  relatively  effective  since  it  produces  the  expected  data  and  an 
improvement of data quality. 

e) International standards 

No information available. 

f) Response burden 

Joint  work  with  international  organisations  led  to  reduced  response  burdens  for  Member 
States in several areas: Population, Tourism, Services and Balance of payments. 

Conclusion: 

Data quality made significant progress over the period.  

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity has been fully respected in all statistical themes of this policy 

Balance of needs and resources 

Some  projects  in  the  field  of  balance  of  payments,  distributive  trades  and  tourism  statistics 
were not achieved due to resource constraints. 

EN 

51 

   EN 

 
Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for free movement of persons, services and 
capital 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

Improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

31 

47 

48 

49 

50 

51 

54 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

support 

Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 

References 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

EN 

52 

   EN 

 
TRANSPORT 

Treaty title 
TITLEV: TRANSPORT 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 
Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

48 – Transport 

49 – Communication 
50 – Tourism 
71 - Environment 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

Further implementation of the legal bases recently adopted by the Council in the field 
of transport statistics; 

adaptation  of  the  legal  bases  currently  in  force  as  a  result  of  the  liberalisation  of 
various modes of transport in Europe; 

development  of  a  statistical  system  on  intermodal  transport  based  on  existing  data 
available in the Member States. 

Achievements: Continuous progress has been achieved towards the goal of a comprehensive 
statistical information system on Community transport. At the start of the period, there were 
significant gaps in transport statistics in terms of data coverage, series and quality. During the 
period,  with  the  introduction  of  new  methods  and  regulations,  the  provision  of  statistical 
services was progressively extended to all modes of transport: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Road transport; 

Rail transport; 

Inland waterways transport; 

Air transport; 

–  Maritime transport; 

– 

Oil pipeline transport; 

–  Multimodal transport; 

– 

Road data. 

Considerable  improvements  have  been  achieved  over  the  period  but  important  progress  on 
timeliness is still needed, together with continued work to ensure the coverage of passenger 
transport and intermodal transport. 

EN 

53 

   EN 

 
To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

Continuous  progress  towards  the  goal  of  a  comprehensive  statistical  information  system  on 
Community  transport  has  been  achieved.  Eurostat  developed  a  new  standard  international 
classification  for  goods  in  transport  (NST-2000),  adopted  by  the  Conference  of  European 
Statisticians (CES) in 2002. 

-The Directive on maritime statistics was fully implemented; 

-The 1980 Directive on road transport statistics was replaced with a new Council Regulation; 

-Parliament and Council approved two new Regulations, on rail and aviation statistics; 

-The Commission adopted six implementing acts for road and maritime statistics; 

-Methodological work and key indicators on intermodal freight transport were published; 

-Transport statistics of Candidate Countries were adapted to EU regulations. 

The objective to introduce new standards and methods has been met. 

Provision of statistical services 

At  the  start  of  the  period,  the  provision  of  statistical  services  in  the  field  of  transport  was 
embryonic  in  terms  of  data  coverage,  series  and  quality.  During  the  period,  with  the 
introduction  of  new  methods  and  regulations,  the  provision  of  statistical  services  was 
progressively extended to all areas of transport: 

- Road transport; 

- Rail transport; 

- Inland waterways transport; 

- Air transport; 

- Maritime transport; 

- Oil pipeline transport; 

- Multimodal transport; 

- Road data. 

A  set  of  transport  and  environment  indicators  in  cooperation  with  the  EEA  was  also 
published. 

About 12 million data were collected over the period. At the end of 2002, annual data lateness 
was 3.96 years, which requires further improvements.  

The provision of statistical services has been significantly improved over the period. 

EN 

54 

   EN 

 
Several  improvements  were  achieved  in  the  field  of  dissemination,  including  the  complete 
restructuring of transport statistics in New Cronos and a large increase in the amount of data 
available,  together  with  the  publication  of  a  Panorama  of  Transport  and  a  full  range  of 
Statistics in Focus on transport. 

Results have demonstrated a significant increase of transport statistics consultations: 

-Database extraction growth: +83% 

-Web  site  consultation:  300.000  pages  consulted  from  2000.  For  comparison  external  trade 
web pages were consulted 360.000 times. 

The dissemination of transport statistics has been significantly improved over the period. 

Statistical support 

Strong statistical support was provided to Candidate Countries to adapt transport data to EU 
regulations  and  Mediterranean  countries  in  the  implementation  of  the  first  phase  of  the 
MEDTRANS project.  

Conclusion: 

The  Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  transport  have  been  met. 
Considerable  improvements  have  been  achieved  over  the  period  but  important  progress  on 
timeliness is still needed. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According  to  DG  comments,  data  from  recent  legal  acts,  especially  maritime  statistics,  are 
useful for policy units. 

Continuing concerns remain about  

-inconsistency between Eurostat statistics and other data sources 

-slow response to new data needs e.g. for modal split data in relation to the 2001 White Paper. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

Improved work planning has been achieved in: 

-Annual Work Programme (AWP) reviewed in annual co-ordination meetings with Member 
States (Co-ordinating Committee in Transport Statistics); 

-objectives  derived  from  AWP  defined  at  unit  and  process  level  in  Unit  Development 
Programme (PDU). 

EN 

55 

   EN 

 
c) Quality 

The  new  legal  acts  have  assisted  in  resolving  some  quality  issues  (especially  in  road 
statistics). However, in other areas, the increased volume of data has led to new data quality 
issues being identified. 

d) Effectiveness 

The  programme  for  transport  statistics  has  been  effective  in  improving  the  coverage  of  the 
various  transport  modes,  and  increasing  the  volume  of  information  collected  and 
disseminated. 

However, lack of staff resources has slowed progress in providing key indicators for policy, 
and in developing new areas of transport statistics. 

e) International standards 

Community statistics are now more comparable with those of other areas of the world due to 
the following improvements:  

-input by Eurostat to 3rd edition of Glossary of Transport Statistics for 55 UNECE member 
countries 

-collection of transport statistics according to Community methods by Candidate Countries (in 
context of enlargement) and by Mediterranean countries (in MED-TRANS). 

f) Response burden 

There has been a large increase in the response burden due to the new legal acts. 

Conclusion: 

All programme strategies have been improved over the period except for response burden.  

Principle of subsidiarity 

No Eurostat budget has been granted to Member States for transport statistics in the reference 
period. However, there has been funding to Member States from DG TREN (approximately 2 
mio Euro). 

Balance of needs and resources 

Since most data collection for transport statistics is based on legal acts, Member States have 
approved in principal the allocation of substantial additional resources at national and regional 
level to meet the data needs of the Common Transport Policy.  

However, the Member States and Parliament have not taken account of the consequent need 
for  additional  staff  resources  at  Eurostat,  so  that  it  has  been  necessary  to  move  towards  the 
outsourcing  of  all  routine  statistical  production  work,  which  does  not  involve  confidential 
data. 

EN 

56 

   EN 

 
Summary of ratings for all statistical themes of Transport 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 

Provision 
statistical 
services 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

48 

Achieved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Strong  support 
provided 

References 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

EN 

57 

   EN 

 
 
COMMON RULES ON COMPETITION, TAXATION AND APPROXIMATION OF 
LAWS 

Treaty title 
TITLE VI: COMMON RULES ON 
COMPETITION, TAXATION AND 
APPROXIMATION OF LAWS 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

40 – Annual economic accounts 
41 – Industry 
53 – Trade in goods 
45 – Energy and raw materials 
47 – Distributive trades 
48 – Transport 
49 – Communication 
51 – Services 
63 – Agricultural incomes and prices 
64 – Crop Production 
65 – Animal production 
66 – Agro-industry statistics 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

Improving  the  quality  and  the  comparability  of  macroeconomic  data  from  National 
Accounts; 

Improving the approximation of laws through better statistical coordination. 

Achievements: 17 Commission Decisions and Regulations on the ESA were adopted between 
1998  and  2002  (of  which  half  also  relate  to  Theme  52).  Major  outstanding  methodological 
points were fixed or clarified such as FISIM, and considerable progress on improvement and 
convergence  for  calculating  national  accounts  at  constant  prices.  Eurostat  continued  a 
substantial  programme  of  assistance  to  the  Candidate  Countries.  Almost  all  Candidate 
Countries  have  made  revisions  and  improvements  to  their  National  Accounts  figures  as  the 
result  of  their  own  efforts  and  projects  organised  by  Eurostat.  The  overall  quality  of 
macroeconomic  statistics  made  significant  progress  over  the  period.  Timeliness  and 
comparability have been significantly improved.  

Better  coordination  of  the  work  programme  in  accordance  with  user  needs  between  EU 
statistical organisations has improved the coherence of legislation. 

However the ECB reported that the overall general economic statistics data set for the Euro 
area still remains short of user requirement. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

New  methods  and  standards  were  introduced  to  meet  Statistical  Programme  objectives.  The 
major ones are the following: 

-17 Commission Decisions and Regulations on the ESA were adopted between 1998 and 2002 
(of which half also relate to Theme 52). Major outstanding methodological points were fixed 

EN 

58 

   EN 

 
or clarified such as FISIM, and considerable  progress  on  improvement  and convergence  for 
calculating national accounts at constant prices. Eurostat continued a substantial programme 
of assistance to the Candidate Countries. Almost all Candidate Countries have made revisions 
and  improvements  to  their  National  Accounts  figures  as  the  result  of  their  own  efforts  and 
projects organised by Eurostat: 

– 

The Handbook on quarterly national accounts was drafted 

–  Methodology for GDP flash estimates for the EMU and the Euro in 45 days has 

been finalised 

– 

In  trade  of  goods,  definition  and  start  of  a  strategic  plan  for  2001-2005 
including all aspects of methodologies, organisations and IT (Edicom II). 

Provision of statistical services 

The  overall  quality  of  macroeconomic  statistics  made  significant  progress  over  the  period. 
Timeliness and comparability have been significantly improved.  

Better  coordination  of  the  work  programme  in  accordance  with  user  needs  between  EU 
statistical organisations has improved the coherence of legislation. 

Dissemination 

Macroeconomic  statistics  dissemination  has  significantly  improved  over  the  period  with  the 
implementation  of  the  Euro  indicators  web  site  and  timely  news  releases  on  main  principal 
economic indicators. 

Statistical support 

Support was provided to Candidate Countries, TACIS and Mediterranean countries. 

Conclusion: 

The  Community  statistical  objectives  in  the  field  of  common  rules  on  competition,  taxation 
and approximation of laws have been met. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According  to  the  rolling  review  on  National  Accounts,  users  think  that  the  change  in  the 
overall quality of the service is good. 

However the ECB reported that the overall general economic statistics data set for the Euro 
area still remains short of user requirement. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

According  to  the  Rolling  review  on  National  Account,  partners  think  the  approach  of  the 
EMU action plan is a good way forward. They are sceptical about the way priorities are set 
inside the CSS. 

EN 

59 

   EN 

 
More  coordination  is  needed  amongst  all  committees.  Partners  think  that  coordination  and 
cooperation inside the CSS had been changing for the better over the past 3 years. 

c) Quality 

Timeliness has been significantly improved over the period 

-HICP Flash estimates are now published within 2 days after the end of the reference period 
and detailed data within 17 days. 

-Flash estimates for the Euro-zone and EU15 estimates in 45 days have been finalised. 

-Timeliness of annual data has been reduced by about 1 year at 2.18 years at the end of 2002. 

d) Effectiveness 

No assessment at policy level. 

e) International standards 

No assessment at policy level. 

f) Response burden 

No assessment at policy level. 

User  satisfaction,  coordination  and  work  planning  and  data  quality  have  made  significant 
progress over the period. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes of common rules on competition, taxation 
and approximation of laws 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 

Provision 
statistical 
services 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

40 

41 

53 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Strong  support 
provided 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Strong  support 
provided  

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Support 
provided 

References 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

-Council  conclusions  on  fifth  progress  report  on  the  implementation  of  information 
requirements in EMU 

-Fifth progress report on the implementation of information requirements in EMU 

-ECB quality report on general economic statistics. 

EN 

60 

   EN 

 
ECONOMIC AND MONETARY POLICY 

Treaty title 
TITLE VII: ECONOMIC AND 
MONETARY POLICY 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

40 – Annual economic accounts 
41 – Industry 
42 – Financial accounts 
52 – Money and finance 
54  –  Trade  in  services  and  balance  of 
payments 
55 - Prices 
32 – Labour market 
44 – Industry (short-term indicators) 
53 – Trade in goods 

Main statistical requirements of the Economic and Monetary Union Policy 

– 

Meet  the  statistical  requirements  of  the  stability  and  growth  pact,  short-term 
indicators of demand, output, labour market activity and costs. 

Through  Eurostat,  the  European  Commission,  in  close  collaboration  with  the  European 
Central  Bank  and  also  with  the  national  authorities,  has  set  up  an  Action  plan  on  EMU 
Statistical Requirements in order to improve the quality and especially the timeliness of Euro-
indicators,  measuring  the  economic  development  in  the  Euro-zone,  the  EU15  and  the  EU 
Member  States.  This  plan  approved  by  the  EcoFin  Council  of  Ministers  on  29  September 
2000 sets out the measures to be taken at the level of the Community Statistical System and of 
the Member States in the near future. Implement the Regulation on the European system of 
accounts (ESA 95); 

– 

Compilation  of  balance  of  payments  as  an  EMU  secondary  convergence  criteria  in 
co-ordination with the ECB. 

Achievements:  Achievements  have  been  described  in  the  Economic  and  Monetary  Union 
priority at the beginning of part 4.1. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of main methods 

In  most  of  the  statistical  themes,  new  methods  and  regulations  were  introduced  to  meet 
statistical needs of economic and monetary policy. 

Economic annual accounts: 

+17 Commission decisions and regulations on the ESA were adopted between 1998 and 2002; 

+Major outstanding methodological points were fixed or clarified such as FISIM. 

Quarterly and environment accounts: 

EN 

61 

   EN 

 
 
+Methodology for GDP flash estimates for EMU and the Euro in 45 days has been finalised 
and implemented; 

+Methodologies for environmental accounts have been developed and are under test. 

Financial Accounts: 

+A  manual  on  sources  and  methods  for  the  compilation  of  ESA  95  financial  accounts  was 
published in 2002. 

Monitoring own resources: 

+Inventories of sources and methods used to complete the accounts have been made available 
for the Court of Auditors. 

Money and finance: 

+New regulations on quarterly financial accounts have been implemented; 

+The second edition of the ESA 95 manual on government deficit and debt was published; 

+New  manual  on  compilation  of  taxes  and  social  contributions  on  a  quarterly  basis  was 
finalised; 

+Methodological  work  in  cooperation  with  the  ECB  and  NCBs  to  prepare  the  collection  of 
long-term interest rates for convergence purposes from Accession Countries was completed. 

The objectives stated in the programme 1998-2002 have been achieved. In addition, the CSS 
has been able to introduce new methods in accordance with the new requirements involved by 
the EMU action plan. 

Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical services is regularly assessed in two reports: 

– 

– 

Report of progress on the implementation of the EMU Action Plan; 

ECB quality report on General economic statistics. 

Overview  of  progress  on  the  implementation  of  the  EMU  Action  Plan  (15/01/2003)  – 
Council conclusions 

The Council endorsed the fifth progress report by the Economic and Financial Committee on 
information  requirements  in  EMU.  The  report  examines  progress  on  the  implementation  of 
the  Action  Plan  on  EMU  Statistical  Requirements  (EMU  Action  Plan),  endorsed  by  the 
Ecofin Council in September 2000, as well as progress on the original report by the Monetary 
Committee on Information Requirements in EMU endorsed by the Ecofin Council in January 
1999. Ministers decided that the fifth progress report would be made public. 

The Council considers that a number of Member States still need to increase efforts to fulfil 
their  obligations  under  the  EMU  Action  Plan  in  order  to  improve  the  statistical  basis  for 
economic  and  monetary  policy-making  in  EMU/EU.  The  targets  set  for  the  end  of  2001  or 

EN 

62 

   EN 

 
 
2002 in several statistical areas have not yet been met. Even if clear improvements have been 
recorded,  more  remains  to  be  done,  notably  in  Spain  and  Italy,  and  to  a  lesser  extent  in 
France.  To  fulfil  the  needs  of  a  country-by-country  analysis,  also  Greece,  Ireland, 
Luxembourg and Portugal need to do more. Urgent attention should be devoted to the areas of 
quarterly  national  accounts  by  institutional  sector  (households  and  companies);  quarterly 
government expenditure and revenue; the requirements in the labour markets; and new orders 
for industry and external trade data. The Council furthermore considers that in order to meet 
shortcomings identified in the original Monetary Committee report, there is the need for a re-
balancing of statistical priorities, and a number of coordinated actions should be implemented 
by the Member States, notably in regard to the list of Principal European Economic Indicators 
established by the Commission, balance of payments statistics, and statistics on services. 

The Council invites the statistical offices in the Member States to take the necessary action as 
a  matter  of  priority.  A  follow-up  report,  including  the  Acceding  Countries,  should  be 
submitted in 2004. 

ECB Quality report on General Economic Statistics 

Draft executive summary – August 2003 

Since the previous report in August 2002, the provision of Euro area statistics has continued 
to improve but still remains far from fully satisfactory. The harmonisation process of HICPs is 
continuing.  Newly  released  results  for  the  Euro  area  as  a  whole  have  been:  the  GDP  flash 
estimate, detailed national accounts data on compensation  of employees and some variables 
and  branches  under  the  short-term  statistics  regulation.  There  have  been  improvements  in 
timeliness, especially for some short-term indicators. These improvements are important, but 
the  overall  general  economic  statistics  data  set  for  the  Euro  area  still  remains  short  of  user 
requirements. For national accounts and short-term statistics the main problem continues to be 
the  late  or  delayed  introduction  of  existing  regulations,  with  the  consequence  that  good 
quality  Euro  area  data  are  published  only  for  a  part  of  the  data  covered  under  the  existing 
European regulations. Results for the Euro area are often either late or do not exist at all due 
to  an  insufficient  country  coverage.  In  2003  the  implementation  of  the  Short-term  Statistics 
Regulation from 1998 will have to be completed. Rapid progress in the legislative procedure 
for the new regulation is desirable. Key quarterly national accounts aggregates for sectors are 
lacking.  Significant  gaps  exist  in  the  field  of  labour  market  statistics  although  the 
establishment of a new Regulation on labour cost indices is an important step forward. Further 
improvements  are  also  required  for  HICP  (harmonisation  and  improvement  of  quality 
adjustment)  and  for  external  trade  aggregates  (timeliness).  The  lack  of  data  for  the  service 
sector  in  the  Euro  area  remains  an  important  issue.  Work  on  implementing  sufficiently 
comparable  practices  for  seasonal  and  working  day  adjustment  has  begun,  but  definitive 
results can only be expected in the longer term. 

Ambitious  targets  have  been  set  by  the  Principal  European  Economic  Indicators  and  the 
“Europe first” principle. They target improved or new statistics, but also better European co-
ordination of, for example, release calendars and revision policies. 

Acceding Countries are working to meet EU requirements and have made progress over the 
last year. The ECB has started to receive the data that are currently available via Eurostat. The 
new  Action  Plan  for  Candidate  Country  statistics  sets  priorities  for  improving  the  statistics 
that are most urgently needed in the first years of EU membership, such as key convergence 
indicators. 

EN 

63 

   EN 

 
Data exchange from Eurostat to the ECB has worked without significant technical problems. 
However, shortcomings in terms of punctuality of national data and errors in the transmitted 
data  remain.  Transmission  of  GES  data  from  the  ECB  to  national  central  banks  has  been 
extended. 

Regarding debt and deficit procedures, Eurostat regularly monitored the quality of the notified 
debt  and  deficit  statistics  and  issued  a  substantial  number  of  decisions  concerning  the 
treatment  of  important  transactions.  Moreover,  these  decisions  are  codified  in  the  "ESA  95 
manual on government deficit and debt", which sets the quality standards for EDP reporting. 

Dissemination 

-Most  publications  on  Economy  and  finance  were  revised  in  accordance  with  new 
methodologies 

-The  publications  programme  was  streamlined  in  order  to  focus  on  priorities  and  online 
dissemination 

– 

– 

About  1  million  pages  on  Economic  and  finance  were  consulted  on  the 
Eurostat website from 2001 to 2002 

From  2000,  Euroindicators  website  is  one  of  the  most  consulted  parts  of  the 
Eurostat website. 

-Data are published regularly and on a timely basis according to pre-established scheduled. 

Illustration: Balance of payments 

– 

– 

Volume of published data increased by 254% (from 207880 in 1999 to 735868 
in 2002) 

From  1999  to  2002,  29  news  releases,  45  Statistics  in  Focus  and  17  official 
publications were published. 

Statistical support 

Statistical support was provided in most areas of economic and monetary policies to national 
statisticians and Candidate countries to implement new methodologies and to assist countries 
in improving data quality. 

Conclusion: 

Taking  into  account  the  introduction  of  the  EMU  action  plan,  the  implementation  of  the 
Community  Statistical  Programme  has  been  achieved  to  a  very  large  extent.  Significant 
improvements have been made over the period but important progress in some areas such as 
statistics on services in the EMU still remain to be done. 

EN 

64 

   EN 

 
Programme targets 

a) Users 

According  to  the  rolling  review  on  national  Accounts,  users  think  that  the  change  in  the 
overall quality of the service is good. 

However the ECB reported that the overall general economic statistics data set for the Euro 
area still remains short of user requirements. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

According  to  the  Rolling  review  on  National  Accounts,  partners  think  the  approach  of  the 
EMU action plan is a good way forward. They are sceptical about the way priorities are set 
inside the CSS. 

More  coordination  is  needed  amongst  all  committees.  Partners  think  that  coordination  and 
cooperation inside the CSS has been changing for the better over the past 3 years. 

c) Quality 

Timeliness has been significantly improved over the period 

-HICP Flash estimates are now published within 2 days after the end of the reference period 
and detailed data within 17 days; 

-Flash estimates for the Euro-zone and EU15 estimates in 45 days have been finalised; 

-Timeliness of annual data has been reduced by about 1 year at 2.18 years at the end of 2002. 

d) Effectiveness 

The Community Statistical System for economic and monetary statistics is relatively effective 
since it produces the results expected and regular improvements have been achieved over the 
period. 

e) International standards 

No assessment at policy level. 

f) Response burden 

No assessment at policy level. 

Conclusion: 

User  satisfaction,  coordination  and  work  planning  and  data  quality  have  made  significant 
progress over the period. 

EN 

65 

   EN 

 
Summary of ratings for all statistical themes of Economic and Monetary Policy 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

40 

41 

42 

43 

52 

54 

55 

57 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

of 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 
Significantly 
improved 

Strong  support 
provided 
Strong  support 
provided  
Provided 

Provided 

Provided 

Provided 

Provided 

Provided 

References 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

-Council  conclusions  on  fifth  progress  report  on  the  implementation  of  information 
requirements in EMU 

-Fifth progress report on the implementation of information requirements in EMU 

-ECB quality report on general economic statistics. 

EN 

66 

   EN 

 
COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY 

Treaty title 
TITLE IX: COMMON COMMERCIAL 
POLICY 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

53 – Trade in goods 
54  –  Trade  in  services  and  balance  of 
payments 
57 – Other economic statistics (globalisation) 
19  –  Technical  assistance  to  countries  in 
transition 
20 – Preparation of enlargement 
21  –  Technical  cooperation  with 
countries 
42 – Financial accounts 
52 – Money and finance 

third 

Main statistical requirements of the Common commercial policy 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

The  implementation  of  the  revised  international  concepts  and  definitions  for  trade 
statistics, including those necessary to implement ESA 95; 

the  Comext  system  regrouping  data  on  Intrastat  and  Extrastat  will  be  improved  to 
make  it  more  user-friendly,  and  extended  to  integrate  trade  volume  and  unit  value 
indices; 

studies  to  increase  comparability  of  data  necessary  to  support  multilateral  and 
bilateral negotiations will be done with third countries; 

development  of  two  regulations  a)  on  Balance  of  Payments  statistics  (BOP), 
International Trade in Services and Foreign Direct Investment flows and positions; b) 
on the structure and activity of foreign affiliates (FATS); 

the  development  of  indicators  for  measuring  the  impact  of  the  globalisation  of 
economy  on  businesses,  labour  market  and  trade  statistics.  In  particular,  to  support 
the  EU  trade  policy  (GATS-  General  Agreement  on  Trade  in  Services).  The  detail 
and  reliability  of  statistics  on  International  Trade  in  Services,  Foreign  Direct 
Investment and Foreign affiliates trade will be developed. 

Achievements: The provision of statistical service in external trade, balance of payments and 
short term statistics made significant improvements over the period in the following domains: 

Data quality: 

-implementation  of  the  Commission  Regulation  on  cross  border  holdings  (introducing  an 
exemption reporting threshold); 

-Advanced  state  of  the  draft  Regulation  on  Balance  of  Payments  (BOP)  Statistics, 
International  Trade  in  Services  (ITS)  and  Foreign  Direct  Investment  (FDI)  flows  and 
positions and kick-off of the draft regulation on the structure and activity of foreign affiliates 
(FATS); 

EN 

67 

   EN 

 
-Improvement of timeliness, reliability of macro indicators in particular within the framework 
of the EMU action plan and the needs of trade negotiations; 

-Improvement of data quality: early estimates, quality controls, analysis of asymmetries and 
production of quality reports; 

-Implementation  of  the  new  methodology  on  goods  and  on  portfolio  income  in  balance  of 
payment statistics; 

-Several  analysis  were  carried  out  in  order  to  improve  the  comparability  of  Trade  statistics 
and  methods  and  tools  were  developed  in  order  to  provide  a  common  framework  for 
reconciliation exercises 

Data availability: 

-Implementation  of  the  data  collection  network  for  foreign  trade  and  Balance  of  payments 
data with Candidate Countries and Tacis countries; 

-Improvement  of  dissemination  and  timeliness:  restructured  publications;  availability  of 
Balance of Payments data for Candidate Countries data in New Cronos; 

-The  Comext  system  regrouping  data  on  Intrastat  and  Extrastat  was  improved  on  several 
aspects:  new  functionalities,  a  better  and  easier  on  line  access  to  the  information  and  more 
available information. In particular, access was given to Candidate Countries data. 

According to the rolling review on Trade in Goods, users think that the overall quality of the 
service is good and extensively use Comext data for the establishment and follow up of main 
EU policies. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of main methods 

The  introduction  of  new  methods  in  the  following  fields  has  improved  the  measurement 
capacity of the Community Statistical System on the globalisation phenomenon.  

-Definition and start of a strategic plan for 2001-2005 including all aspects of methodologies, 
organisations and IT (Edicom II); 

-Improvement  of  links  between  external  trade  registers  with  business  registers  in  order  to 
measure intra business trade; 

-Development  of  the  revision  of  EU  Member  States  BOP  collection  systems  due  to  the 
implementation  of  the  Commission  Regulation  on  cross  border  holdings  (introducing  an 
exemption reporting threshold); 

-Advanced state of the draft Regulation on Balance of Payment statistics, International Trade 
in  services  and  Foreign  Direct  Investment  flows  and  positions  and  kick-off  of  the  draft 
regulation on the structure and activity of foreign affiliates (FATS); 

- Development and publication of the Manual on Statistics of International Trade in Services 
(UN, European Commission, IMF, OECD, WTO). It contains the reference classifications and 

EN 

68 

   EN 

 
concepts  for  cross  border  trade  (EBOPS13)  and  trade  via  commercial  presence,  i.e.,  FATS 
(ICFA14) 

However,  EU  statistical  methods  need  to  be  adapted  to  improve  the  measurement  of 
globalisation impact on the economy and labour market. 

Provision of statistical services 

The  provision  of  statistical  services  in  external  trade,  balance  of  payments  and  short  term 
statistics made significant improvements over the period in the following domains: 

Data quality: 

-Improvement of timeliness, reliability of macro indicators in particular within the framework 
of the EMU action plan and the needs of trade negotiations; 

-Improvement  of  data  quality:  early  estimates,  quality  controls,  analysis  of  asymmetries, 
production  of  quarterly  reports  for  Balance  of  Payment  statistics,  application  of 
recommendations of the various Balance of Payments Technical groups; 

-Implementation  of  the  new  methodology  on  goods  and  on  portfolio  income  in  Balance  of 
payments statistics. 

Data availability 

-Implementation  of  the  data  collection  network  for  foreign  trade  data  and  Balance  of 
Payments with Candidate Countries and Tacis countries; 

-Implementation  of  the  new  regulation  on  short  term  indicators  and  structural  surveys  for 
other economic statistics; 

-The Euroindicators web site is publicly available and is continuously improved; 

-A list of principal European Economic Indicators was set up with quality improvements and 
milestones. 

Dissemination 

The dissemination of statistics related to common commercial policy has improved over the 
period.  

The Comext database was accessed more than 400.000 times over the period.  

System  improvements  permitted  integration  of  data,  massive  extractions  and  better  remote 
access.  Average  internal  access  decreased  (-37%)  while  external  accesses  increased  (610%) 
over the period. In terms of extracted records, considerable increases are observed (817% and 
3816% respectively). 

13 
14 

EBOPS – Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification. 
The new classification ICFA (ISIC Categories for Foreign Affiliates) is based on the ISIC (International 
Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities) and set up the best consistency between 
statistics on cross-border trade and on commercial presence. 

EN 

69 

   EN 

 
                                                 
About 366,000 pages on External trade were consulted on the Eurostat web site from 2000 to 
2002. 

The Euro indicators web site was one of the most consulted sites.  

Press releases and statistics in focus are regularly published on key statistics: 

-About 35 Statistics in focus on external trade were published from 2000; 

-About  29  Statistics  in  focus  were  published  on  foreign  direct  investments  and  trade  in 
services from 2000; 

-The  total  number  of  Balance  of  Payment  statistics  publications  were:  29  news  releases,  45 
Statistics in Focus and 17 official publications; 

-The  available  volume  of  data  on  Balance  of  Payments  increased  by  254%  from  207880  in 
1999 to 735868 in 2002; 

A  release  of  SIGMA  in  2002,  the  bulletin  of  European  Statistics  focused  on  Statistics  and 
globalisation. 

Statistical support 

Statistical support was provided in external trade and balance of payments to assist Candidate 
Countries to implement new methodologies and to assist countries in improving data quality. 

Conclusion: 

Taking  into  account  the  introduction  of  the  EMU  action  plan,  the  implementation  of  the 
Community Statistical Programme regarding common commercial policy has been achieved. 
Significant  improvements  have  been  made  over  the  period  but  important  progress  in  some 
areas such as statistics on services in the EMU still remains to be done. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According to the rolling review on Trade in Goods, users think that the overall quality of the 
service is good and extensively use Comext data for the establishment and follow up of main 
EU policies. 

However the ECB reported that the overall general economic statistics data set for the Euro 
area still remain short of user requirement. 

According  to  the  Rolling  review  on  Balance  of  payments,  the  overall  balance  of  opinion  of 
users is encouraging. Most feel the service has improved over the recent past, and the balance 
of  opinion  is  particularly  positive  regarding  the  supporting  service  and  the  relevance  of  the 
data to their work. 

EN 

70 

   EN 

 
b) Priorities – work planning 

According to the rolling review on trade of goods, partners are satisfied with the functioning, 
organisation and effectiveness of planning and co-ordinating structures in the area of trade of 
goods.  

Partners are globally satisfied with the functioning of the CSS except in the capability of the 
CSS to learn from best statistical practices. 

c) Quality 

Timeliness  has  been  significantly  improved  over  the  period.  For  foreign  trade,  on  average, 
intra-community trade data are transmitted 7.5 days before the 6 weeks mandatory deadline. 
From  1999  to  2001  it  has  been  improved  by  9  days.  For  extra  trade  data,  the  improvement 
amounts to 4 days but is still over the 6 weeks limit by 2.2. 

According to the rolling review, users are satisfied with the accuracy, reliability, coherence, 
accessibility, completeness and timeliness of data. While the services provided by the online 
system,  the  CD  ROM  and  paper  publications  are  considered  sufficient  by  regular  users, 
improvements  in  terms  of  access  facilities  through  WEB  and  derived  information 
(confidential treatment, links to tariff and other information) is needed. 

d) Effectiveness 

The  Foreign  Trade  and  Balance  of  Payment  statistical  system  is  relatively  effective  since  it 
produces the results expected and regular improvements are achieved. 

e) International standards 

In  trade  of  goods,  community  concepts  are  globally  consistent  with  the  United  Nations 
concepts. 

Joint work with international organisations on classifications enabled the achievement of the 
reference  classifications  and  concepts  for  cross  border  trade  (EBOPS15)  and  trade  via 
commercial presence, i.e., FATS (ICFA16). 

For Balance of payments, concepts are consistent with the IMF Balance of Payments Manual. 

The  new  Balance  of  payments  regulations  are  totally  consistent  with  the  new  Manual  on 
Statistics  of  International  Trade  in  Services  (UN,  European  Commission,  IMF,  OECD, 
WTO). 

f) Response burden 

In trade of goods, the increase of electronic trade declarations from 68% in 1998 to 74% in 
2000 contributed to reduce the response burden. 

15 
16 

EBOPS – Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification. 
The new classification ICFA (ISIC Categories for Foreign Affiliates) is based on the ISIC (International 
Standard Industrial Classification of all Economic Activities) and set up the best consistency between 
statistics on cross-border trade and on commercial presence. 

EN 

71 

   EN 

 
                                                 
Conclusion: 

All programme strategies have been improved over the period in Trade of Goods and Balance 
of Payments statistics. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes of Economic and monetary policy 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 

Provision 
statistical 
services 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

support 

Support 
provided 

Provided 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Significantly 
improved 

Provided 

53 

54 

57 

References 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

-Council  conclusions  on  fifth  progress  report  on  the  implementation  of  information 
requirements in EMU 

-Fifth progress report on the implementation of information requirements in EMU 

-ECB quality report on general economic statistics 

-Rolling review on trade of goods. 

EN 

72 

   EN 

 
SOCIAL POLICY, EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND YOUTH 

Treaty title 
TITLE XI: SOCIAL POLICY, 
EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING 
AND YOUTH 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Eurostat work themes 

31 - Population 
32 – Labour market 
33 – Education 
35 – Health, safety and consumer protection 
36  –  Distribution  of  incomes  and  living 
conditions 
37 – Social protection 
38 – Other social statistics (housing statistics) 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

The consolidation and analysis of work on population and migration; 

further development of harmonised statistics in the field of unemployment and labour 
market (e. g. labour force survey (LFS), quarterly labour cost statistics); 

meeting  new  and  existing  data  requirements  in  the  area  of  continuing  vocational 
training, 

the continuation of statistical projects on health and safety; 

the  improvement  of  statistics  on  income  distribution,  living  conditions  and  social 
exclusion; 

coordination of work on a time-use survey; 

the consolidation of social protection statistics. 

From  2000,  the  specific  provisions  for  social  policy  from  the  Lisbon,  Cardiff  and 
Luxembourg summits became the primary reference points for the further development of the 
programme of work.  

Achievements: The Community Statistical Programme objectives in the field of social policy 
have  been  met.  Considerable  improvements  have  been  achieved  over  the  period  in 
implementation  of  new  methods  and  standards,  provision  of  statistical  service  and 
dissemination in the fields of population, labour market, education, health, safety, distribution 
on  incomes  and  social  protection.  The  CSS  has  demonstrated  its  capacity  to  meet  new 
statistical requirements from the Lisbon summit.  

Some  projects  have  been  delayed  in  the  fields  of  education  statistics  due  to  resource 
constraints. 

EN 

73 

   EN 

 
To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

New standards and methods were introduced in all statistical themes: 

Population 

-joint Eurostat-ECE recommendations for the 2001 census data collection have been prepared 
and used for the data collection which covers 32 countries; 

-a new methodology was developed to calculate harmonised demographic indicators; 

-several  studies  supporting  the  next  major  revision  of  Eurostat  harmonised  population 
projections were launched. 

Labour market 

-the harmonised definition of unemployment was adopted; 

-The  quarterly  labour  cost  index  was  improved  with  a  new  Council  regulation  and  the 
inclusion of results for Candidate Countries; 

-A  framework  Council  regulation  on  Labour  Costs  and  Structure  of  Earnings  statistics, 
including  related  Commission  regulations  have  been  approved.  The  Member  States  and  the 
Acceding  Countries  have  provided  the  data  for  the  first  Labour  Costs  survey  under  this 
regulation. 

Education 

-Preparation of a legal basis for vocational training; 

-Development  and  implementation  of  a  detailed  classification  on  fields  of  education  and 
training based for ISCED97 (incl. manual); 

-Development of a framework proposal for "measuring lifelong learning" (Report of the TF 
MLLL); 

-Preparatory work for an Adult Education Survey. 

Social protection 

-Work  on  links  between  ESSPROS  data  and  National  Account  data  in  the  field  of  Social 
Protection has been achieved; 

-Development of a methodology for the collection of data on labour market policies. 

In the theme Distribution of incomes and living conditions, Eurostat methodological manual 
on income was further developed but finalisation delayed due to resource constraint. 

Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical services in the following fields significantly increased. 

EN 

74 

   EN 

 
Population 

-Improvements of completeness and harmonisation of migration and asylum statistics; 

-launch new data collection for monthly asylum and illegal migration data, and extension to 
CEEC (Peco) countries, Iceland and Norway. Work was undertaken to extend the publication 
of these data. 

Labour market 

-A continuous Labour force survey is implemented in most Member States; 

-implementation  of  LFS  Ad-Hoc  modules  in  most  of  the  Member  States  and  the  Acceding 
Countries; 

-annual data on labour costs, annual earnings and minimum wages are received on the basis of 
a new gentlemen's agreement; 

-monthly  unemployment  estimations  are  published  in  accordance  with  the  timetable  from 
2000 in the Member States and the Acceding Countries; 

-pilot surveys on job vacancies were implemented. 

Education 

-Development  and  implementation  of  Continuing  Vocational  Training  Survey  2  (including 
dissemination) was completed; 

-Candidate and Southeast European Countries fully integrated in education data collection; 

-development of an integrated production database for education statistics; 

-implementation  and  analysis  of  the  LFS  2000  ad  hoc  module  on  transition  from  school  to 
working life; 

-development of the LFS 2003 ad hoc module on lifelong learning; 

-evaluation and revision of the standard variables on education and training in the LFS; 

-pilot data collection on foreign language learning in schools. 

Health, safety and consumer protection 

-concerning  Health  and  safety  at  work  statistics,  routine  data  collection  and  further 
methodological developments were carried out; 

-on the European Statistics on Accidents at Work (ESAW): the analysis and the dissemination 
of  the  1994-2000  statistics  were  achieved  (Phase  II  data  including  small  and  medium-sized 
enterprises, first elements on socio-economic Costs, commuting accidents). 

Distribution of incomes and living conditions: 

-data for the structural and Laeken indicators of the EU countries were issued; 

EN 

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-work on poverty and social exclusion done in collaboration with the Indicators group of the 
Social protection Committee has demonstrated substantial progress; 

-household Budget Survey data for the new round (1999) is nearly completed; 

-collection of HBS data (and corresponding methodology) for candidate countries. 

Social protection 

-regular ESSPROS data collection covering 20 countries; 

-launching new data collection on number of beneficiaries of pensions; 

-launch  of  a  pilot  data  collection  on  LMP  expenditure  and  participants  and  evaluation  of 
results; 

-implementation of 4 full data collections covering 3 products: expenditure, participants and 
qualitative information on measures; 

-structural indicators for the spring 2003 report to the Council were produced. 

Dissemination 

Several improvements were achieved in the field of dissemination, including the extension of 
databases,  increased  online  dissemination  and  streamlining  of  publications  programme 
composed of:  

-publication of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 reports "Social situation in the European Union" in 
collaboration with DG Employment and social affairs; 

-production of the pocketbook on ‘Living Conditions in Europe’ (2000 edition); 

-production of publications on gender; 

-more than 100 Statistics in focus where released free of charge on the web on a large range 
of topics related to Population and social statistics. 

Results have demonstrated a significant increase in social statistics consultations: 

-database extractions growth: +700% 

-Web site pages consultations on this theme amounts to 1.1 millions pages representing 19% 
of all Eurostat web site consultations 

-from 1998, CD-ROM containing ECHP micro data was disseminated to researchers. 

Statistical support 

Strong statistical support was provided to Candidate and Mediterranean Countries in most of 
the fields of social statistics. 

EN 

76 

   EN 

 
Conclusion: 

The  Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  Social  Policy  field  have  been  met. 
Considerable  improvements  have  been  made  over  the  period  with  the  introduction  of  new 
methods  and  standards,  provision  of  statistical  services  and  dissemination.  The  CSS  has 
demonstrated its capacity to answer to new statistical requirements from the Lisbon summit. 

EN 

77 

   EN 

 
Programme targets 

a) Users 

According to the rolling review on Labour Force survey and user satisfaction survey, users are 
globally satisfied with the overall quality of the service provided by Eurostat. Data relevance 
and accuracy are well appreciated by users who are dissatisfied with timeliness. 

b) Priorities – work planning - coordination 

In general, partners consider as adequate the planning and co-ordinating structures in the CSS 
even if differences by domains are identified. All partners acknowledge the improvements in 
the  general  level  of  CSS  co-operation  and  co-ordination  and  the  improvements  in  national 
statistical production. 

Coordination  with  international  institutions,  DGs  (DG  Education  and  Culture  and  DG 
Employment) of the Commission and CEDEFOP has been significantly developed in order to 
improve the effectiveness of the programme. 

c) Quality 

Users  acknowledge  that  change  in  the  overall  quality  of  the  service  is  positive.  Data 
timeliness has been improved significantly by 25% (1 year) but users are still unsatisfied. 

d) Effectiveness 

No assessment of the effectiveness of the programme has been achieved. However, increased 
coordination  between  international  organisations  and  within  European  institutions,  a  better 
identification of users requirements and the increased dissemination of social statistics lead us 
to think that the effectiveness of the programme has improved over the period. 

e) International standards 

Substantial  progress  made  on  Methodological  works  in  co-operation  with  international 
organisations  has  contributed  to  make  Community  statistics  more  comparable.  In  particular, 
the newly developed SILC project follows most of the Canberra Group recommendations on 
income. 

f) Response burden 

Reduction  of  the  response  burden  in  the  fields  of  migration  and  demography  was  achieved 
due to the implementation of joint data collect. 

Conclusion 

Programme strategies made significant progress over the period. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in the field of social statistics. 

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Balance of needs and resources 

At present social statistics does not receive enough resources in relation to needs. The 'social' 
aspect  of  the  Community  has  become  much  more  important  than  in  the  early  days  of  the 
Community. In the Treaty of Rome there is very little about social policy (all the emphasis is 
on economic policy), but since the Treaties of Maastricht and Amsterdam about one-third of 
Community  concerns  (about  seven  titles  out  of  21  in  the  current  Treaty)  are  'social'.  At  the 
Council of Lisbon in 2000 it was agreed to aim to create a knowledge-based economy with 
greater  social  cohesion,  and  to  measure  the  progress  towards  this  through  the  Structural 
Indicators. About one-third of the Structural Indicators are 'social', so the amount of work in 
the social area, including defining and providing indicators, has increased greatly since 2000.  

On  the  other  hand,  resources  have  not  increased.  This  is  because  the  general  allocation  of 
statistical  resources  between  the  different  domains  has  not  changed  greatly  since  the  early 
days,  when  social  concerns  were  much  less  important  than  economic  (or  agriculture  or 
industry). The total amount of statistical resources has also not increased so this means that in 
the social area more work must be done with the same resources. There are many important 
modules of the Statistical Programme where Eurostat has just one permanent official or even 
less. 

At present, some projects have been delayed in the fields of Education and Health statistics 
due to resource constraints. Eurostat is now trying to define a new strategy for social statistics 
(starting  at  the  DGINS  at  Athens)  to  meet  this  challenge  of  increasing  demands.  More 
resources will be needed if this strategy is to be taken seriously. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for social statistics 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

31 

32 

33 

35 

36 

37 

38 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Significantly 
Improved 
Significantly 
Improved 
Improved 

Improved 

Significantly 
Improved 
Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Strong  support 
provided 
Strong  support 
provided 
Strong  support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 

References 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

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CULTURE 

Treaty title 
TITLE XII: CULTURE 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Eurostat work themes 

34 - Culture 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

Developing a set of cultural statistics from existing sources.  

Achievements: The Community statistical objectives in the field of culture are only partially 
met due to lack of resources in Eurostat. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

Significant methodological developments, data collection and analyses were undertaken on 3 
key topics: 

-cultural  employment:  first  data  collection  and  estimation  of  cultural  employment  in  all 
Member States; 

-cultural expenditure and financing: methodological substantial progress was made to address 
measurement issues; 

-participation  in  cultural  activities:  a  questionnaire  was  developed  and  used  in  the 
Eurobarometer survey. 

Methodological report on Cultural Statistics in the EU. 

A comprehensive proposal for a large-scale survey on participation in cultural activities. 

All work is delayed because of lack of resources in Eurostat. The objective has partially been 
achieved. 

Provision of statistical services 

The  provision  of  statistical  services  was  limited  to  definition  of  methods  and  collection  of 
data through the Eurobarometer survey. The provision of statistical service has improved but 
significant work needs to be done to fully implement the developed standards. 

Dissemination 

Dissemination of the results of the Eurobarometer survey took place through DG Press. 

Statistical support 

No support was provided. 

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Conclusion: 

The Community statistical objectives in the field of culture are only partially met due to lack 
of resources in Eurostat. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

No information available. 

b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

No information available. 

c) Quality 

No information available. 

d) Effectiveness 

No information available. 

e) International standards 

No information available. 

f) Response burden 

No information available. 

Conclusion 

Programme strategies made significant progress over the period. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in the field of social statistics. 

Balance of needs and resources 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for culture 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

34 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Partially 
achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

No support  

No 
dissemination 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

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PUBLIC HEALTH 

Treaty title 
TITLE XIII: PUBLIC HEALTH 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Principal objectives of the statistical work 

Eurostat work themes 

35 – Health safety and consumer protection 
37 – Social protection 

– 

– 

– 

The establishment of Community health indicators including the selection of relevant 
information and data for exchange between Member States and the Commission and 
international  organisations,  and  with  conceptual  work  related  to  the  process  of 
making the data comparable; 

the  development  of  a  Community-wide  network  for  sharing  and  transferring  health 
data  between  Member  States  and  the  Commission  and  international  organisations 
(based on the IDA-CARE telematics project); 

the development of methods and tools necessary for analysis and reporting on health 
status, trends and determinants, and the effect of policies on health. 

Achievements: The Community Statistical Programme objectives in the field of public health 
policy have been met. Considerable improvements have been achieved over the period with 
the  introduction  of  new  methods  and  standards.  However  the  implementation  of  these  new 
methodologies  is  not  yet  finalised  and  support  given  was  also  limited  due  to  resource 
constraints. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

New  standards  and  methods  were  developed  and  introduced  in  public  health  and  safety  at 
work and social protection: 

Health, safety and consumer protection 

-On causes of deaths, a project on improving practices and codification has resulted in a set of 
recommendations; 

-a Minimum European Health Module (MEHM) was prepared for inclusion in the ‘Statistics 
on  Income  and  Living  Conditions’  (EU-SILC);  a  strategy  for  implementing  a  European 
Health  Survey  System  (EHSS),  in  particular  a  European  Core  Health  Interview  Survey 
(ECHIS)  by  2006  was  adopted  by  the  Directors  of  Social  Statistics,  based  on  standard 
modules (MEHM, health status, health determinants, health care use, background variables) to 
be included in national surveys; 

-on Health Care statistics (CARE): guidance and pilots were established on implementing the 
System of Health Accounts (SHA) on a step by step basis, which refers both to new financial 
data and to adapting existing data (on resources and manpower) to new framework conditions; 

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-on  the  European  Occupational  Diseases  Statistics  (EODS)  adoption  of  methodology, 
classifications  and  implementation  in  2001  (14  Member  States)  of  the  first  phase  including 
data on exposures, degree of severity and medical diagnosis. 

Social protection 

-Work  on  links  between  ESSPROS  data  and  National  Account  data  in  the  field  of  Social 
Protection has been achieved; 

-development of a methodology for the collection of data on labour market policies. 

Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical services in the following fields significantly increased. 

Health, safety and consumer protection 

-on  causes  of  death  (COD):  the  analysis  and  the  dissemination  of  the  1994-2000  statistics 
were achieved; 

-on  Health  and  health-related  survey  data  (HIS):  the  collection  and  analysis  of  data  on  12-
items  from  health  modules  in  national  population  surveys  was  carried  out  in  1999  and 
extended to 18-items for the second data collection in 2002. 

Dissemination 

Several improvements were achieved in the field of dissemination, including the extension of 
databases,  increased  online  dissemination  and  streamlining  of  publications  programme 
composed of:  

-publication of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 reports "Social situation in the European Union" in 
collaboration with DG Employment and social affairs; 

-production of the pocketbook on ‘Living Conditions in Europe’ (2000 edition); 

-more than 100 Statistics in focus were released free of charge on the web on a large scope of 
topics related to Population and social statistics including health and social protection. 

Results have demonstrated a significant increase in public health consultations: 

-Database extractions growth: +700%. 

Statistical support 

Some  statistical  support  was  provided  to  Candidate  Countries  and  Member  States  to 
implement new methodologies. 

Conclusion 

The  Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  public  health  policy  have 
been met. Considerable improvements have been achieved over the period in introduction of 
new methods and standards. However the implementation of these new methodologies is not 
yet finalised and support given was also limited due to resource constraints. 

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Programme targets 

a) Users 

The  increasing  interest  of  users  for  statistics  on  public  health  and  social  protection  is  a 
positive  signal  regarding  their  level  of  satisfaction.  However  surveys  were  carried  out  to 
assess user satisfaction. 

b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

In general, partners consider as adequate the planning and co-ordinating structures in the CSS 
even if differences by domains are identified. All partners acknowledge the improvements in 
the general level of CSS co-operation and co-ordination and the improvements of in national 
statistical production. 

Coordination with international institutions (WHO, OECD), DGs (SANCO and Employment) 
of the Commission has been significantly developed in order to improve the effectiveness of 
the  programme.  On  request  of  the  SPC,  work  on  public  health  was  developed  through 
partnerships  with  Member  States  in  the  framework  of  the  Leadership  group  on  Health 
statistics. 

c) Quality 

With the implementation of the programme, data coverage significantly improved with about 
4.5  million  data  available  (source  New  Cronos)  for  health  and  safety  and  social  protection 
statistics against some hundred thousands at the beginning of the period. 

d) Effectiveness 

The  health  and  social  protection  statistical  system  is  relatively  effective  since  it  met  the 
objectives of the programme. However, no assessment of the effectiveness of the programme 
was carried out. 

e) International standards 

Substantial  progress  made  on  methodological  works  in  co-operation  with  international 
organisations has contributed to make Community statistics more comparable. On disability, 
input at world level in the United Nations was given by Eurostat. 

f) Response burden 

Gradual  reduction  of  the  response  burden  was  achieved  in  the  fields  of  causes  of  death 
statistics and accidents at works. 

Conclusion 

Programme strategies made significant progress over the period.  

Principle of subsidiarity 

The  principle  of  subsidiarity  is  fully  respected  in  the  field  of  health  and  safety  and  social 
protection statistics. 

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Balance of needs and resources 

Some health statistics projects and support to Candidate Countries have been delayed due to 
resource constraints. Stability of staff resources and stable financing from other DGs are also 
two critical issues, which impact the achievement of objectives. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for public health 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

35 

37 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

Improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

support 

Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

EN 

85 

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CONSUMER PROTECTION 

Treaty title 
TITLE XIV: CONSUMER PROTECTION 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Eurostat work themes 

35 – Health safety and consumer protection 
36  –  Distribution  of  incomes  and  living 
conditions 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

Providing technical assistance for the collection and evaluation of data.  

Achievements:  Methodology  was  developed  and  data  collected  for  publications  on 
Consumers in Europe. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

New methodology and data collection developed for publication on Consumers in Europe. 

Provision of statistical services 

Information  on  consumers  is  available  in  the  publication  Consumers  in  Europe  and 
corresponding databases. 

Dissemination 

Several aspects of consumer protection have been highlighted through the following media:  

-publication of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 reports "Social situation in the European Union" in 
collaboration with DG Employment and social affairs; 

-Production of the pocketbook on ‘Living Conditions in Europe’ (2000 edition); 

-More than 100 Statistics in focus where released free of charge on the web on a large scope 
of topics related to Population and social statistics. 

Statistical support 

No support was provided. 

Conclusion 

DG SANCO made considerable efforts in the recent past to support Eurostat. Thanks in large 
part to these efforts, consumer protection is one of the priorities of the Commission Statistical 
Programme for 2003 and has a prominent place in the CSP 2003-2007. However, despite this, 
no significant progress has been achieved. 

EN 

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Programme targets 

a) Users 

No information available. 

b) Priorities – work planning - coordination 

No information available. 

c) Quality 

No information available. 

d) Effectiveness 

No information available. 

e) International standards 

No information available. 

f) Response burden 

No information available. 

Conclusion: 

Programme strategies made significant progress over the period.  

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in the field of consumer protection. 

Balance of needs and resources 

Resources for this subject are currently very limited and will need to be increased if further 
progress is to be made. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for consumer protection 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

35 

36 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

Improved 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

support 

support 

No 
provided 
No 
provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

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TRANS-EUROPEAN NETWORKS 

Treaty title 
TITLE XV: TRANS-EUROPEAN 
NETWORKS 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

45 – Energy and raw materials 
48 – Transport 
49 - Communication 
73 – Science and technology 
53 – Trade in goods 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

Provide necessary statistical information and services, allowing:  

– 

– 

– 

The  monitoring  of  the  functioning  of  the  energy  internal  market  (energy  balances, 
external trade, short-term trends, structural data); 

-the  evaluation  of  effectiveness  of  competition  in  network  industries,  including 
transparency of end-user prices; 

-the follow-up of security of supply issues. 

Improve the statistical system in order to respond better to sustainable development issues, in 
particular in the fields of: 

– 

– 

Renewable energy sources; 

Rational use of energy (cogeneration, energy efficiency); 

Improve Knowledge on energy end-use, by direct surveys of consumers. 

Gradually integrate Acceding Countries in the CSS, improving their systems to EU standards, 
also establishing a regular reporting system. 

Create a reference data dissemination environment. 

Achievements:  The  Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  Trans 
European  network  have  been  met.  Considerable  improvements  have  been  made  in  the 
implementation  of  new  methods,  provision  of  statistical  service  and  dissemination  over  the 
period but progress on timeliness is still needed. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

New methods were introduced in accordance with objectives in the following domains: 

Energy 

New methodologies were developed or improved in the fields of cogeneration, consumption 
(degree-day method). 

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Transport 

-Eurostat developed a new standard international classification for goods in transport (NST-
2000), adopted by the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) in 2002; 

-replacement of the 1980 Directive on road transport statistics with a new Council Regulation, 
and collection of data in accordance with new Regulation; 

-approval by Parliament and Council of two new Regulations, on rail and aviation statistics; 

-adoption by the Commission of six implementing acts (for road and maritime statistics); 

-publication of methodological work and key indicators on intermodal freight transport. 

Communication 

-Development of a statistical framework with a strategic plan on the information society; 

-methodological  work  was  carried  out  to  include  major  changes  and  new  items  in 
communication statistics. 

Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical service in the field of trans-European network improved over the 
period with an increased number of available data in transport and communication. Data for 
all types of transport and the information society were made available. 

Dissemination 

The dissemination of statistics related to energy, transport and communication have improved 
over the period. For instance, for transport the database extraction growth increased by 83%.  

Statistics in Focus were released on paper and online (free) and dealt with the following main 
topics 

Energy: 

- Intra-EU deliveries of petroleum 

- Oil economy 

- Natural gas economy 

- Electricity prices for industry and households 

- Gas prices. 

Transport: 

- Road freight transport 

- Inland waterways 

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- Transport infrastructure 

- Maritime transport. 

Communication: 

- Information society statistics 

- Telecommunications in Europe. 

Statistical support 

Statistical  support  was  provided  to  Candidate  Countries  to  adapt  transport,  energy  and 
communication data to EU regulations.  

Conclusion: 

Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  Trans-European  network  have 
been  met.  Considerable  improvements  have  been  achieved  over  the  period  but  important 
progress on timeliness is still needed. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According  to  DG  comments,  data  from  recent  legal  acts,  especially  maritime  statistics,  are 
useful for policy units. 

Continuing concerns remain about: 

-inconsistency between Eurostat statistics and other data sources; 

-slow response to new data needs e.g. for modal split data in relation to 2001 White Paper. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

Improved work planning has been achieved in: 

-Annual  Work  Programme  (AWP)  reviewed  in  annual  co-ordination  meeting  with  Member 
States (Co-ordinating Committee in Transport Statistics); 

-objectives  derived  from  AWP  defined  at  unit  and  process  level  in  Unit  Development 
Programme (PDU). 

c) Quality 

The  new  legal  acts  have  assisted  in  resolving  some  quality  issues  (especially  in  road 
statistics). However, in other areas, the increased volume of data has led to new data quality 
issues being identified. 

EN 

90 

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d) Effectiveness 

The  programme  for  transport,  energy  and  communication  statistics  has  been  effective  in 
improving  the  coverage  of  the  various  transport  modes,  and  increasing  the  volume  of 
information collected and disseminated. 

However, lack of staff resources has slowed progress in providing key indicators for policy, 
and in developing new areas of transport and communication statistics. 

e) International standards 

Community statistics are now more comparable with those of other areas of the world due to 
the following improvements:  

-input by Eurostat to 3rd edition of Glossary of Transport Statistics for 55 UNECE member 
countries; 

-collection of transport statistics according to Community methods by Candidate Countries (in 
the context of enlargement) and by Mediterranean countries (in MED-TRANS). 

f) Response burden 

In transport, there has been a large increase in response burden, due to the new legal acts. 

Conclusion: 

All programme strategies, except for response burden, have been improved over the period.  

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in this field. 

Balance of needs and resources 

Since most data collection for transport statistics is based on legal acts, Member States have 
approved in principal the allocation of substantial additional resources at national and regional 
level to meet the data needs of the Common Transport Policy. However, the Member States 
and Parliament have not taken account of the consequent need for additional staff resources at 
Eurostat, so that it has been necessary to move towards outsourcing of all routine statistical 
production work, which does not involve confidential data. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes of Transport 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

45 

48 

49 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

Improved 

Achieved 

Achieved 

Significantly 
improved 
Improved 

Significantly 
improved 
Improved 

Support 
provided 
Strong  support 
provided 
Support 
provided 

References: 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

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INDUSTRY 

Treaty title 
TITLE XVI: INDUSTRY 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

44 – Industry 
45 – Energy and raw materials 
66 – Agro-industry statistics 
53 – Trade in goods 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Implementation of the Regulations on structural business statistics and on short-term 
indicators of industry; 

improving the simplification and effectiveness of the PRODCOM system; 

the integration of future steel statistics into the existing industrial statistics system; 

the  development  of  indicators  on  intangible  investment,  subcontracting  and 
globalisation  in  the  context  of  the  implementation  of  the  Regulation  of  structural 
business statistics. 

Achievements: The Community statistical objectives in the field of industry have been met. 
However, the PRODCOM system needs to be improved and no operational method to capture 
intangible investment has been found. The provision of statistical services has been improved 
with increased data availability and larger dissemination. Data quality has also been improved 
in  terms  of  timeliness  and  comparability.  However  developments  are  expected  to  improve 
user satisfaction of the programme. An evaluation policy is required to address these issues in 
the future. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

New methods and standards were introduced over the period.  

Industry 

Structural business statistics (SBS) 

-The adoption of a new regulation in 1999 on the evaluation criteria of data quality in the field 
of structural statistics has contributed to quality improvements; 

-A harmonised methodology for business demography was developed. Business demography 
data are now collected from 11 countries. 

Short term statistics 

-Implementation  of  Regulations  for  definition  of  variables  and  definition  of  Main  Industrial 
Group 

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Energy 

New  methodologies  were  developed  or  improved  in  the  fields  of  cogeneration  and 
consumption (degree-day method). 

Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical services in the field of industry statistics has been improved for all 
themes. 

Industry 

-The regulation 58/97 was implemented with a strong focus on the quality of the data and this 
has been significantly improved; 

-A  Commission  regulation  of  2002  adjusted  the  regulation  to  technical  and  economic 
development; 

-The strategic plan on structural indicators was achieved; 

-Collection  of  data  from  Candidate  countries  of  structural  and  short-term  statistics  was 
achieved; 

-The implementation of the Regulation 1165/98 was started and progressed for a number of 
good quality key indicators; 

-Regular and timely publications of a series of key indicators by Eurostat and the ECB. About 
50% of the indicators, among them the most important ones for the analysis of the business 
cycle are now collected and published on a regular basis; 

-The  quality  of  the  Short-term  Statistics  data  is  regularly  monitored  and  has  improved 
significantly over the reporting period; 

-An  Amendment  Regulation  was  prepared  that  will  extend  the  scope  of  Regulation  165/98 
and will adapt the data collection to user requirements. 

PRODCOM 

-The  PRODCOM  statistical  domain  could  be  stabilised  despite  serious  disruptions  during 
1999 to 2001; 

-Improvement  on  data  completeness  and  quality  could  be  partly  achieved  but  needs  further 
attention. 

Steel Statistics 

-The collection of steel statistics has been terminated as planned. The statistics are integrated 
into structural business statistics and PRODCOM. 

Agro industry statistics 

Implementation of food supply balance sheets; 

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-in  the  field  of  food  safety,  first  inventory  of  available  data  and  first  agreements  with  DG 
SANCO were achieved. 

In general, at the end of 2002, the energy database contains 3 million values. 

Structural business statistics, short-term business statistics and production statistics amount to 
46 million values which represent a significant increase over the period. 

Dissemination 

In general, dissemination of industry statistics improved over the period. Structural business 
statistics,  short  term  and  production  statistics  are  amongst  the  top  consulted  databases. 
Database  extractions  increased  by  934%  over  the  period.  The  publications  programme  was 
streamlined with a series of "Panorama of the EU industry" and a quarterly publication. On 
the  Eurostat  web  site,  structural  indicators  are  among  the  top  5  consulted  products.  Key 
indicators  of  Short-term  Statistics  are  now  regularly  published  in  press  releases  that  are 
increasingly echoed in the press. 

However, accessibility of detailed industry statistics remains an important issue. 

Statistical support 

In  general,  strong  methodological  support  was  provided  to  Member  States  and  Candidate 
Countries to implement new methodologies and to improve the statistical system.  

Conclusion: 

The implementation of the Community statistical objectives in the field of industry has been 
achieved. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

No user satisfaction information is available. However the strong improvement of data quality 
due to new regulations leads us to think that user satisfaction improved over the period. 

b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

No policy-specific information available. 

c) Quality 

Timeliness 

Annual energy data timeliness is lower (3.07 years) than the Eurostat average (3.89) 

Monthly energy data timeliness is also lower (5.72 months)) than the Eurostat average (7.07 
months) 

Regarding structural business statistics, data from Member States are collected by Eurostat 18 
months after the end of the reference period in accordance with the regulation.  

EN 

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For short-term statistics, data are collected between 1 and 3 months after the reference period. 
The  timeliness  of  all  indicators  has  significantly  improved,  for  example,  the  European 
aggregates for industrial production are now published after 48 days instead of 65 to 70 days. 

Data availability 

There has been a dramatic improvement in the volume of data available (46 million data as of 
end of 2002). 

Comparability 

With  the  implementation  of  the  new  SBS  and  STS  regulations,  data  comparability  was 
significantly improved. Continuous methodological improvements are carried out. 

d) Effectiveness 

The industry statistical programme is relatively effective since it produces the expected data 
and an improvement of data quality. 

e) International standards 

As  far  as  SBS  is  concerned,  a  significant  improvement  had  been  made  towards  better 
comparability inside the European Union. In particular, an agreement has been made on the 
observation  unit:  the  enterprise  (smallest  combination  of  legal  units  with  autonomy  of 
decisions).  However,  most  non-EUROSTAT/OECD  countries  do  not  apply  the  same 
methodology and instead use the local unit (establishment) as a principal observation unit. 

Short-term  statistics  is  now  governed  by  common  definitions  and  the  methodological 
recommendations  have  been  significantly  extended.  Most  Member  States  have  made 
significant  efforts  to  align  to  these  definitions  and  recommendations  in  order  to  achieve  an 
increased harmonisation of data. 

Eurostat  has  very  much  improved  towards  a  better  internal  EU  comparability  but  the 
comparability with the rest of the world is a bit difficult (but still possible). 

f) Response burden 

As far as the response burden for businesses is concerned, the SBS-R encourages the use of 
administrative sources for data collections. Several countries (e.g. Italy) recently started to use 
administrative sources, which led to a significant alleviation of the response burden. 

As  far  as  the  response  burden  for  NSIs  is  concerned,  both  OECD  (SSIS  questionnaire)  and 
Eurostat  (SBS  Regulation)  used  to  request  annual  business  statistics  from  Member  States. 
This situation was confusing for the users (methodologies were slightly different) and created 
a  high  response  burden  for  Member  States.  In  2001,  OECD  (Statistics  Directorate/National 
Account and Economic Statistics) and Eurostat (Unit D2 Structural Business Statistics) started 
an active co-operation which led to a suspension of the OECD data collection in 2003 with 
OECD collecting its data directly through Eurostat. A protocol for co-operation between the 
two international organisations is currently under discussion. 

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OECD itself summarised the situation in its Statistical Programme of Work 2003, p.35 

“In 2003, the direct data collection carried out for European Union countries to compile SSIS 
and SEC databases will be suspended and data collected through Eurostat will be used, with 
a substantial reduction in the response burden on Member countries”.17 

Conclusion: 

All  programme  strategies  have  been  improved.  However  developments  are  expected  to 
improve data quality, timeliness and user satisfaction of the programme. An evaluation policy 
is required to address these issues in the future.  

A  specific  programme  has  been  launched  regarding  Food  safety  to  meet  new  consumer 
concerns. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The  principle  of  subsidiarity  is  fully  respected  in  the  field  of  industry  statistics.  Balance  of 
needs and resources 

No information available. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for industry 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

44 

45 

66 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Improved 

Improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

Achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

Achieved 

Not improved  Not improved 

support 

Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 
Support 
provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

17 

Free translation. 

EN 

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ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COHESION 

Treaty title 
TITLE XVII: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL 
COHESION 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 
Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

23 – Restructuring plans 
72 – Regional and geographical information 
31 – Population 
32 – Labour market 
40 – Annual economic accounts 
44 – Industry 
47 – Distributive trades 
50 – Tourism 
51 – Services 
63 – Agricultural incomes and prices 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

Defining, putting into place and monitoring the new Community regional policy; 

extending the sectoral and geographical coverage of regional statistics; 

developing  a  European  geographical  information  system  in  cooperation  with  the 
national statistical institutes. 

Achievements:  The  Community  statistical  objectives  in  the  field  of  economic  and  social 
cohesion  have  been  met  with  increased  data  availability  and  coverage  of  regional  statistics. 
The  relevance,  comparability  and  completeness  of  regional  statistics  made  significant 
progress  over  the  period.  Timeliness  of  existing  series  was  maintained  in  parallel  with  the 
increased volumes of data handled. The response burden has been reduced thanks to a better 
coordination with sectoral projects. 

An agreed common classification of territorial units (NUTS) now exists for regional statistics 
with all accession countries although the draft NUTS regulation was not yet adopted during 
the referenced period (adopted July). The Urban audit project was launched for data from the 
EU15. 

The provision of statistical service has  increased  over  the period with more than  10  million 
values  available  for  regional  statistics  at  the  end  of  2002,  new  domains  available  (social, 
migration,  transport  and  economic  statistics)  and  an  expanded  service  on  geographical 
information services. A geographical information database has been created and contains the 
300 annually produced maps. 

Dissemination 

Dissemination  of  regional  statistics  made  significant  progress  over  the  period.  Regional 
statistics  database  extractions  were  multiplied  by  3  over  the  period.  This  database  is  the 
second  most  consulted  Eurostat  database.  Regional  statistics  publications  are  also  the  most 
consulted products on the web site. 

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Statistical support 

Support was provided to Member States. A specific network of regional correspondents was 
introduced. 

Conclusion: 

The implementation of Community statistical objectives in the field of economic and social 
cohesion is achieved. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According  to  the  increased  interest  of  users  for  regional  statistics,  we  can  assume  that  user 
satisfaction increased over the period. 

b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

Improved coordination with DG REGIO has provided a better planning process. 

c) Quality 

The  relevance,  comparability  and  completeness  of  regional  statistics  made  significant 
progress over the period. Timeliness has not improved. 

d) Effectiveness 

No information available. 

e) International standards 

Not applicable on a world basis. 

f) Response burden 

Response burden has been reduced thanks to better coordination with sectoral projects. 

Conclusion: 

Programme strategies made progress over the period but planning requires better targeting of 
development work. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in the field of regional statistics. The funding 
for the REGIONAL indicators component is provided by DG REGIO of which at least 70% 
goes to the CSS partners. 

Balance of needs and resources 

As DG REGIO provides the total expenditure for the Regional Indicators under a specifically 
agreed programme of work, the need is entirely policy supported. 

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Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for economic and social cohesion 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

23 

72 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Not applicable  Not applicable  Strong  support 

support 

achieved 

Improved 

Improved 

provided 
Support 
provided  

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

EN 

99 

   EN 

 
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 

Treaty title 
TITLE XVIII: RESEARCH AND 
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 
Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

22 – Statistical research 
73 – Science and technology 
44 – Industry 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

– 

New statistical actions or projects to measure the performance and impact of R & D; 

extending the innovation survey and assuring better coordination of data collection; 

the  development  of  adequate  tools,  the  promotion  of  exchanges  with  the  scientific 
community and the users of technology; 

the promotion of new methods within a framework of best practice. 

Based on the Lisbon/Barcelona Council conclusions and a number of subsequent Commission 
Communications improving the scope and the quality of statistics on science, technology and 
innovation, in better meeting the increasing level of user needs was required. 

Achievements: The Community Statistical Programme objectives in the field of Research and 
Technological  development  have  been  met.  New  methods  were  implemented  and  led  to  a 
significant  increase  of  available  data.  Considerable  improvements  have  been  made  over  the 
period but important progress on data timeliness and coverage is still needed. 

To what extent has the Statistical programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

Science and technology 

-The  draft  Commission  Regulation  on  Science,  Technology  and  Innovation  (STI)  statistics 
has  been  prepared  and  adopted  in  2003.  Implementation  measures  will  be  adopted  in 
2003/2004; 

-Methodological developments on the various domains concerned (such as R & D statistics, 
innovation statistics, patent statistics, etc.) were achieved. 

However some actions are partially achieved due to resource constraints: 

-Comprehensive statistics on patents could not yet been drawn up; 

-contribution to the revision process of the Oslo manual could not yet be made. 

Statistical research 

-In  the  field  of  quality  assessment,  improved  techniques  for  measuring  data  quality  were 
developed. 30 quality reports were produced in Eurostat; 

EN 

100 

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the 

-In 
recommendations for the compilation of EU series were proposed; 

field  of  seasonal  adjustment  and 

time-series  analysis,  domain  specific 

-In the field of transfer of technology and know how, the inventory of research activities and 
possibilities to transfer technologies and know how were update. 

The objective of introduction of new standards and methods has been achieved in statistical 
research but only partially in the field of Science and technology statistics. 

Provision of statistical services 

At  the  start  of  the  period,  the  provision  of  statistical  services  in  the  field  of  Science  and 
technology was embryonic in terms of data coverage, series  and quality. During the period, 
with the introduction of new methods and regulations, the provision of statistical services was 
significantly extended to all areas: 

-R&D regional data 

-Key indicators on science and technology 

-Benchmarking indices of national research policies 

-R&D in Candidate countries and Russia 

-European patent applications 

-Employment in High-Tech. 

The structure and contents of these domains need to be strengthened, when the legislation on 
STI statistics is adopted. 

In addition, the Third Community Innovation Survey (CIS 3) was implemented and its results 
distributed. 

A  significant  increase  in  data  availability  and  data  quality  was  achieved  with  more  than  1 
million data collected. A further strong increase is expected due to the coming into force of 
the legislation on STI statistics. 

In  the  field  of  statistical  research,  support  was  provided  to  DGs  in  the  area  of  European 
sampling. 36 R&D projects were selected and monitored 

The provision of statistical services has been improved over the period. 

Dissemination 

Several  improvements  were  achieved  in  the  field  of  dissemination,  including  the  complete 
restructuring of Science and Technology statistics in New Cronos and a large increase in the 
amount of data available, together with the publication of a Pocket book and a full range of 
Statistics in Focus (25) from 2000. 

Results  have  demonstrated  a  significant  increase  of  Science  and  Technology  statistics 
consultations: 

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-Database extractions growth: +1000% 

-Web  site  consultation:  300.000  pages  consulted  from  2000.  For  comparison  external  trade 
web pages were consulted 360.000 times. 

The dissemination of Science and Technology statistics has been significantly improved over 
the period. 

Regarding  statistical  research,  results  were  disseminated  through  the  organisation  of  an 
ESPROS meeting and 6 networks of excellence for transfer of technology and know how. 

Statistical support 

Strong  statistical  support  was  provided  to  Candidate  Countries  to  integrate  data  of  various 
domains.  Strong  methodological  support  was  also  provided  inside  the  Commission  to 
DGSANCO, DGMARKT and ECFIN. 

Conclusion: 

Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  Research  and  Technological 
development have been met. Considerable improvements have been achieved over the period 
but important progress on data timeliness and coverage is still needed. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According to the Rolling review on Research and development and innovation statistics, users 
were not satisfied with the relevance, timeliness, accessibility, and completeness of data. They 
were  satisfied  with  accuracy  and  reliability  of  data,  supporting  service.  They  positively 
acknowledged  the  change  in  the  overall  quality  of  the  service.  Further  amendments  can  be 
expected. 

However,  according  to  DG  RTD,  the  interface  with  policy  users  could  be  improved, 
especially  within  the  Commission,  in  order  to  better  respond  to  users  needs  and  priorities 
more quickly. 

b) Priorities – work planning 

According  to  the  Rolling  review  on  Research  and  development  and  innovation  statistics, 
partners think that there is adequate good planning and structured co-ordination in the CSS for 
this area. 

Partners think that the co-ordination on the STI statistics within the organisation and outside 
has improved in general. 

c) Quality 

See users. 

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d) Effectiveness 

According to the Rolling review on Research and development and innovation statistics, the 
effectiveness is assessed positively by partners. 

e) International standards 

New  methodological  work  over  the  period  makes  Community  statistics  more  comparable. 
This work is often carried out in close co-operation with other international organisations. 

Most of the time, the harmonisation of quality frameworks, seasonal adjustment methods, and 
table protection tools are based on international methodologies. 

f) Response burden 

Not applicable. 

Conclusion: 

Programme strategies made significant progress over the period while the situation regarding 
user satisfaction is far from being satisfactory. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in the field of Statistical research and Science 
and Technology statistics. NSIs are participate extensively in research projects. 

Balance of needs and resources 

The needs for information by far exceed the resources available mainly at EU level; a number 
of data could not be produced, e.g. on mobility of researchers, other statistical work is done at 
the level of the user DGs (e.g. on women in science). 

Summary  of  ratings  for  all  statistical  themes  for  Research  and  technological 
development 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

22 

73 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
improved 

Partially 
achieved 

Significantly 
improved 

of 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

improved 

improved 

Support 
provided 
Strong  support 
provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation. 

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ENVIRONMENT 

Treaty title 
TITLE XIX: ENVIRONMENT 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 
Other important contributory themes 

Eurostat work themes 

41 – Quarterly and environment accounts 
71 – Environment statistics and indicators 
44 – Industry 
45 – Energy and raw materials 
48 – Transport 
50 – Tourism 
61 – Land use and countryside 
62 – Agricultural structures 
64 – Crop production 
65 – Animal production 
68 – Forestry statistics 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

– 

Pursue  the  development  of  environment  statistics  with  preference  given  to  the 
existing, available basic data and improve their dissemination; 

continue  the  production  and  further  development  of  environmental  indicators  and 
statistics linking environment and various sectors of the economy; 

develop a set of satellite accounts for the environment with which developments in 
the areas of the economy and the environment can be jointly analysed; 

increase cooperation with the European Environment Agency. 

Achievements: The Community Statistical Programme objectives in the field of Environment 
have been met. Considerable improvements have been made over  the period by introducing 
new methods and standards, provision of statistical services and dissemination, especially in 
the field of environmental accounts. However, important progress in data collection is needed. 
Coordination has improved over the period. A Memorandum of Understanding with the EEA 
was signed in 1999, governing joint work areas and co-operation. A second Memorandum of 
Understanding between ESTAT, the EEA, DG ENV, DG AGRI and DG JRC was signed in 
2002, covering work on agri-environmental indicators (IRENA project). 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

Environmental accounts 

-Major progress was achieved in developing and testing methodologies for this new domain, 
then developing standard tables for regular data collection; 

-Eurostat and the CSS contributed massively to the drafting of the revised world level system 
of integrated Environmental and Economic accounts (SEEA). 

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Environment statistics 

A  Regulation  on  the  collection  of  Waste  statistics  was  finalised  and  adopted  in  November 
2002 as Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002. 

A  Memorandum  of  Understanding  with  the  EEA  was  signed  in  1999,  governing  joint  work 
areas and co-operation. A second Memorandum of Understanding between ESTAT, the EEA, 
DG  ENV,  DG  AGRI  and  DG  JRC  was  signed  in  2002,  covering  work  on  35  agri-
environmental indicators (IRENA project). 

In  the  field  of  Sustainable  Development  Indicators  and  Environmental  Structural  indicators, 
Eurostat  contributed  to  the  definitions  and  methodologies  used  for  the  UNCSD  set  of 
indicators. A seminar was held in 1998 on testing of UNCSD SDI list. 2001: publication of 
SDIs  based  on  the  UNCSD  set.  A  joint  seminar  with  UNECE  and  Statistics  Canada  on 
methodological issues for environmental SDIs was held. 

Following  the  adoption  of  the  EU  sustainable  development  strategy  at  the  Gothenburg 
European Council (June 2001) the SPC created a Task Force to develop an EU specific set of 
SDIs. 

Provision of statistical services 

The provision of statistical services has been improved over the period. 

-Improved  methodologies  have  been  fully  implemented;  collection  of  data  has  been 
streamlined, resulting in improved data availability; 

-the legal process of amending the environmental section of the Structural Business Statistics 
Regulation has been supported, and the revised Regulation has been fully implemented. The 
environmental  expenditure  questionnaire  has  been  revised,  while  a  task  force  has  reviewed 
definitions related to environmental expenditure; 

-the  questionnaire  on  Inland  Water  has  been  revised,  and  definitions  clarified,  resulting  in 
some improvement in data delivered; 

-following the Cardiff and subsequent European Councils, work on indicators to monitor the 
integration of environmental concerns into other policy areas (Transport, Energy, Agriculture) 
was  intensified.  It  has  resulted,  amongst  others  in  a  transport-environment  statistics 
compendium,  an  energy  integration  indicators  pocketbook,  development  of  new  agri-
environmental indicators, such as nutrient balances, pesticide use, organic farming, as well as 
production  of  a  major  publication  on  Agriculture,  Environment  and  Rural  Development 
(jointly  with  other  units  in  Dir.  F  and  with  DG  AGRI  and  DG  ENV).  Support  has  been 
provided to other Commission services and the European Environment Agency (EEA) in their 
work on integration indicators. 

Direct collection from MS of data on emissions to air has been stopped. In order to rationalise 
data collection and to reduce the response burden on Member States, data is taken from the 
EEA, who receive the figures under various reporting conventions. 

Data for PHARE countries has been improved through specific support projects. 

-Environmental pressure Indicators were produced and published in 1999 and 2001. 

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5 new sub-domains were introduced over the period: 

-Transport and environment 

-Pesticides 

-Fertilisers 

-Organic farming 

-Regional environment statistics. 

Dissemination 

Several improvements were achieved in the field of dissemination, including the extension of 
databases and a wider range of publications released including an Environment statistics CD-
ROM.  

Results have demonstrated a significant increase in Environment statistics consultations: 

-Database extractions growth : +328% 

-38 Statistics in Focus dealing with environmental issues were published from 2000 onwards. 

Statistical support 

Strong statistical support was provided to Candidate Countries in the field of investments for 
environment  protection  expenditures  in  industries.  In  other  areas,  such  emissions,  water  use 
and  use  of  waste  and  hazardous  materials,  the  support  provided  to  Member  states  and 
Candidates Countries was considered as weak. 

Conclusion: 

Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  in  the  field  of  environment  have  been  met. 
Considerable  improvements  have  been  achieved  over  the  period  in  introduction  of  new 
methods and standards, provision of statistical service and dissemination. However, important 
progress in data collection is required. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

No  user  satisfaction  review  was  carried  out  over  the  period.  However  the  increased  use  of 
environment  statistics  on  the  political  scene  (e.g.  for  the  Council  Spring  report  and  for 
sustainable development indicators) suggests an increase in user satisfaction. 

b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

Coordination has improved over the period. A Memorandum of Understanding with the EEA 
was signed in 1999, governing joint work areas and co-operation. A second Memorandum of 
Understanding between ESTAT, the EEA, DG ENV, DG AGRI and DG JRC was signed in 
2002, covering work on 35 agri-environmental indicators (IRENA project). 

EN 

106 

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c) Quality 

Timeliness, availability and comparability of data were improved over the period. 

-In  2002,  the  average  delay  between  country  deadline  for  sending  the  data  to  Eurostat  and 
publication in New Cronos was 6 months, compared to an average of 12 months in 1998; 

-For water and waste, response rates have increased from 32.5% to 36% from 2000 to 2002. 
For the other areas, availability rates are not comparable; 

-Comparability  has  improved  in  the  area  of  water  and  environmental  expenditure  through 
improved questionnaires and definitions and in the area of waste through increased political 
pressure. No figures are available. 

d) Effectiveness 

The  implementation  of  the  Statistical  Programme  in  the  field  of  environment  has  provided 
effective results such as the introduction of methods and standards and provision of statistical 
services. However improvements and programme achievements are still expected. 

e) International standards 

Community statistics are now more comparable with those for others areas of the world for 
the following reasons: 

-Full compatibility with OECD through common questionnaire; 

-Full compatibility also with UN since they use a subset of this questionnaire. 

f) Response burden 

The  joint  questionnaire  2002  has  been  considerably  reduced  by  making  use  of  data  sources 
existing  elsewhere  (e.g.  air  data  from  EEA).  Response  burden  was  also  reduced  by  better 
following  definitions  in  European  environmental  legislation  (e.g.  Urban  Waste  Water 
Directive and Water Framework Directive). 

Conclusion: 

Programme strategies made significant progress over the period. 

Principle of subsidiarity 

The  principle  of  subsidiarity  is  fully  respected  in  the  field  of  environment  statistics.  Data 
collection fully respects the principle of subsidiarity, i.e. with Member States free to use the 
methods  of  data  collection  or  estimation  best  suited  to  their  circumstances,  but  due  to 
common  data  quality  requirements  formulated  and  agreed  upon  at  EU  level  with  Member 
States.  Moreover,  data  is  shared  with  the  European  Environment  Agency  and  OECD  in  an 
effort to reduce the number of requests for data to Member States. 

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Balance of needs and resources 

During  the  period  1998-2002  there  was  no  legal  requirement  to  collect  many  environment 
statistics,  so  MS  provided  data  through  “gentleman’s  agreements”  but  often  only  when  the 
data  were  collected  for  national  purposes.  This  leads  to  many  gaps  in  the  data,  lack  of 
harmonisation between countries, etc. which Eurostat works vigorously to improve, through 
the development of standard definitions and recommended methodologies, and through grants 
provided to Member States to help them develop and improve data collection.  

Lack of resources caused delays in several projects: 

- work on scarce materials 

- work on water use 

- collection of transport indicators. 

Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for environment 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

41 

71 

References 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Achieved 

Achieved 

of 

Provision 
statistical 
services 
Significantly 
improved 
Improved 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

Starting 

Significantly 
improved 

No  support  in 
this period 
Support 
provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

EN 

108 

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DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION 

Treaty title 
TITLE XX: DEVELOPMENT 
COOPERATION 
Principal  themes  of  work  necessary  for  this 
policy area 

Eurostat work themes 

19  –  Technical  assistance  to  countries  in 
transition 
20 – preparation of enlargement 
21  –  Technical  cooperation  with 
countries 

third 

Principal objectives of the statistical work to be carried out for this specific policy 

– 

– 

– 

Continuing the technical assistance and training for these countries; 

Improving the statistical information system of these countries; 

Preparation of the enlargement. 

Achievements: The Community Statistical Programme objectives in the field of cooperation 
development have been met with a strong focus on preparation of enlargement. 

To what extent has the Statistical Programme 1998-2002 been implemented? 

Introduction of new methods and standards 

This objective was not applicable to the corresponding statistical themes. 

Provision of statistical services 

Preparation of enlargement 

Preparation  of  enlargement  mainly  focused  on  building  of  the  NSIs  of  the  Candidate 
Countries  by  the  institutions  and  on  their  capacity  to  produce  and  deliver  statistical  data 
compliant with the acquis. In particular the following was done: 

-Regular  collection  of  data  based  on  harmonised  methodology  in  almost  all  statistical 
domains; 

-Supply of statistical information to Commission services for the negotiation and monitoring 
process; 

-Dissemination  of  data  to  other  administrations  and  the  general  public  by  website,  New 
Cronos and publications; 

-Candidate countries sent data for all major social and economic aggregates to Eurostat; 

-Candidate countries were partially integrated into the normal work flows of production units 
and into part of the production and dissemination databases. 

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At the end of 2002, for most of the statistical areas data were collected and disseminated in 
accordance  with  EU  standards  for  the  Acceding  and  Candidate  Countries.  At  this  date, 
Eurostat was also in a position to publish most of the Euro indicators for these countries. 

Regarding Turkey, in a number of publications and data collections Turkish data has already 
been included.  

Global  assessments  were  carried  out  for  all  the  13  Candidate  Countries  to  assess  their 
statistical systems in detail and provide the necessary input for further technical assistance. A 
publication  called  “Widening  the  EU  statistical  network”  was  issued  at  the  end  of  2002 
summarising the results and descriptions of the global assessments. 

Co-operation with the western Balkans countries (CARDS) 

Global  assessments  of  the  statistical  systems  in  the  Western  Balkan  to  inform  users  on  the 
state  of  art  of  the  statistical  systems  were  conducted  in  the  following  CARDS  countries: 
Albania, Croatia, FYROM and work started in 2001 for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. 

Co-operation with TACIS countries 

Country  reports  assessing  the  current  situation  and  the  progress  in  official  statistics  were 
published  in  2001  for  9  of  the  13  countries.  The  report  has  since  been  updated  annually.  A 
quarterly exchange of key data started with Russia and Ukraine, which are available in New 
Cronos. An exchange of data on external trade data have been in place with a number of CIS 
countries resulted in data being available in COMEXT for most of the CIS countries.  

Cooperation with Third countries 

Achievements 

-Positive  mid  term  evaluation  of  the  MEDSTAT  programme  thanks  to  the  application  of 
international standards, development of user/producer relations and approval of new terms of 
reference for the new MEDSTAT programme; 

-A certain amount of external trade data are available on MED countries. 

-ACP 

+Implementation of the ECOSTAT project 

+Training of statisticians 

-Latin America 

+Implementation of the cooperation programme with the countries members of the Mercosur 
and Chile 

-Preparation of a work programme EU-CAN 

-Asia 

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+Cooperation  programme  with  China,  India,  Pakistan  which  focuses  on  external  trade 
statistics. 

Dissemination 

Data  from  the  Candidate  Countries  were  gradually  integrated  into  domains  databases. 
Candidate Country statistics have regularly been included in the major Eurostat publications 
such as Eurostat Yearbook including comparable data for the 13 EU Candidate Countries and 
major  non-European  nations.  Moreover,  during  this  programme  period,  4  Statistical 
Yearbooks on the Candidate Countries were produced by Eurostat. 

Several  other  publications  focussing  on  Candidate  Countries  were  issued,  and  in  addition 
leaflets on different areas of interest were regularly published twice a year and distributed in 
time for the EU Council meetings.  

In the production units, about 100 Statistics in Focus including Candidate Countries data were 
published  from  2000  on  the  following  topics:  GDP,  Quarterly  accounts,  Monetary  poverty, 
Water  use,  Labour  costs,  relative  price  for  services,  financial  accounts  data,  Livestock 
population, etc. 

Data  from  the  CARDS  countries  were  partly  included  in  some  publications  on  Candidate 
Countries.  

One  of  the  areas  of  support  in  the  TACIS  statistical  programmes  was  the  improvement  of 
dissemination  and  marketing  of  statistical  data  in  beneficiary  countries  which  resulted  in  a 
multitude of publications on different subjects in the countries, also available in English and 
in  a  strategy  on  dissemination  policies  prepared  for  TACIS  countries.  In  Eurostat,  leaflets 
with key data were published and distributed. 

Statistical support 

Over  the  period,  very  strong  statistical  support  was  provided  to  Candidate  Countries  in  all 
statistical areas as described in point 1.2. with substantial support from the Phare programme. 
Global assessment reports and the compliance database contain a large amount of information 
on the statistical systems of and the data availability in the Candidate Countries. As a result of 
all the support, the Candidate Countries strengthened their statistical systems in terms of their 
institutional  capacity  and  most  of  all  in  terms  of  applying  the  acquis  and  producing  and 
delivering data accordingly.  

Preparation of enlargement 

A  large  part  of  the  activities  of  all  statistical  domains  was  devoted  to  the  preparation  of 
enlargement which consisted in the adaptation of statistical laws, implementation of all major 
EU classifications, regular collection of data based on harmonised methodology, supply and 
dissemination  of  statistical  data,  regular  participation  of  Candidate  Countries  in  Eurostat 
Working  Groups,  etc.  The  enlargement  preparation  was  largely  supported  by  the  Phare 
programme.  Various  multi-country  Phare  programmes  on  statistical  co-operation  were 
designed and implemented by Eurostat for a total budget of around 44 million Euro. Eurostat 
was  strongly  involved  in  the  successful  implementation  of  these  programmes  and  the 
evaluation  report  from  an  external  evaluation  company  proves  the  success  of  these 
programmes. 

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Co-operation with the western Balkans countries (CARDS) and TACIS countries 

There  were  strong  Eurostat  activities  in  statistical  co-operation  in  the  area,  including 
programming missions to the beneficiary institutions, design of technical assistance projects, 
technical advice to other Commission services on statistical issues in the countries and to the 
tendering and implementation of the TA programmes etc.  

Cooperation with Third countries 

New organisation and administration of projects has been defined in close collaboration with 
DGs  RELEX,  DEV  and  AIDCO.  Emphasis  was  given  on  coordination  with  international 
organisations (Paris21) and with national bodies involved in cooperation. (NSI, ministries…). 

Strong emphasis was put on horizontal projects, mainly on the development of software for 
national accounts and external trade statistics, on new actions on poverty monitoring , human 
rights, democracy and governance . 

Conclusion: 

The  Community  Statistical  Programme  objectives  were  implemented  in  the  field  of 
cooperation  development  with  a  strong  focus  on  preparation  of  enlargement.  Considerable 
improvements  have  been  achieved  over  the  period  in  implementation  of  EU  methodologies 
and standards and the corresponding data collection. However the process is not yet finalised 
for the Candidate Countries at the end of 2002 but is planned for the accession date. 

According to the first draft monitoring and interim evaluation report of the European Union 
Pre-Accession  Instrument  Phare  on  statistical  co-operation  programmes  carried  out  by  an 
independent consortium, the programme has achieved its general objectives of strengthening 
the  institutions  to  provide  appropriate  statistics  in  general  and  in  the  pre-accession  context 
particularly.  Furthermore,  the  programme  keeps  alive  a  network  of  professionals  in  the 
statistics,  at  individual  and  at  institutional  levels  essential  for  the  production  of  comparable 
statistics. 

Programme targets 

a) Users 

According to the first draft monitoring and interim evaluation report of the European Union 
Pre-Accession Instrument Phare on statistical co-operation programmes the projects evaluated 
individually show a good degree of relevance. Due to the proper identification of needs, the 
coordination  with  other  programmes,  international  and  national,  and  despite  a  lack  of 
visibility for non-statisticians and the potential  for other  areas of  support, the programme is 
relevant.  

According  to  the  mid  term  external  evaluation  of  MEDSTAT  programme,  MEDSTAT 
contributes to the examination of user needs but there is a strong tendency for MED NSO to 
continue  to  do  what  they  have  done,  irrespective  of  particular  needs  expressed.  MEDSTAT 
nevertheless contributes to establishing or, where it existed, to developing dialogue between 
users  and  producers  of  statistics  (e.g.  in  some  cases  through  specific  bodies  being 
established). 

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b) Priorities – work planning – coordination 

According to the first draft monitoring and interim evaluation report of the European Union 
Pre-Accession  Instrument  Phare  on  statistical  co-operation  programmes,  multi-country 
support is well designed, well managed and satisfactorily monitored. 

to 

the  mid 

According 
term  external  evaluation  of  MEDSTAT  programme,  some 
recommendations  regarding  the  management  of  the  project  were  looked  at,  in  particular 
relating to the  relationships  between MED NSOs, the network of CESDs and  implementing 
agencies. Defined priorities between MED countries based on their level of participation and 
valorisation of MEDSTAT was recommended. 

c) Quality 

Data  quality  has  improved  towards  EU  standards.  However,  important  progress  is  still 
expected in terms of data completeness and timeliness. 

According to the first draft monitoring and interim evaluation report of the European Union 
Pre-Accession  Instrument  Phare  on  statistical  co-operation  programmes  there  are  strong 
indications  that  the  capacity  to  ensure  the  autonomous  production  of  quality  data  for  the 
future is being strengthened. 

d) Effectiveness 

The preparation of Enlargement has been effective since it helped the Candidate Countries to 
adopt and implement most of the European standards in a very limited period. 

e) International standards 

At the end of 2002, there is clear evidence that data from the Candidate Countries are much 
more harmonised and comparable with EU data than at the beginning of the programme. 

According to the mid term external evaluation of the MEDSTAT programme, there is a mixed 
outcome  on  the  adaptation  of  international  standards,  depending  on  countries  and  sub-
programmes. However there is an understanding in all countries of the advantage that can be 
gained from this, although sometimes questions as to why EU/international standards should 
be retained were asked. 

f) Response burden 

Not applicable 

Conclusion: 

In  a  very  limited  period  of  time,  Acceding  Countries  have  made  enormous  progress  in 
adopting  EU  standards  and  providing  data  of  better  quality  to  Eurostat  in  many  statistical 
areas. 

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Principle of subsidiarity 

The principle of subsidiarity is fully respected in the field of cooperation development  

Balance of needs and resources 

Some  projects  and  support  to  Candidate  Countries  have  been  delayed  due  to  resource 
constraints. 

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Summary of ratings for all statistical themes for cooperation development 

Theme/ 
Objectives 

19 

20 

21 

Introduction  of 
new  standards 
and methods 
Not applicable  Significantly 

Provision 
statistical 
services 

of 

Improved 

improved 

Not applicable  Significantly 

Improved 

Not applicable 

improved 
Improved 

Improved 

Dissemination  Statistical 

support 

Strong  support 
Provided 
Strong  support 
Provided 
Provided 

-Detailed statistical themes evaluation 

-Mid term external evaluation of MEDSTAT programme. 

-First  draft  monitoring  and  interim  evaluation  report  of  the  European  Union  Pre-Accession 
Instrument Phare in statistics. 

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