Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Date: 2008-10-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU statistics, information society, statistics

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 30.10.2008 
COM(2008) 677 final 

2008/0201(COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the 
information society 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

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CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

•  Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) account for a significant part of 
European Union (EU) productivity and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and are 
transforming our societies and economies in a profound and unprecedented way. ICT 
continues  to  be  a  major  driver  of  economic  and  social  modernisation.  Community 
policy  has  taken  a  pro-active  approach  with  the  aim  of  building  a  fully  inclusive 
information  society,  based  on  widespread  use  of  information  and  communication 
technologies  in  public  services,  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  (SME)  and  in 
households.  Benchmarking  is  playing  a  central  role  in  monitoring  Community  policy 
and  its  progress  towards  the  renewed  Lisbon  aims.  This  benchmarking  requires 
harmonised, reliable, high quality and timely Community statistics on the information 
society. 

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•  General context 

In  its  communication  "i2010  -  A  European  Information  Society  for  growth  and 
employment"1,  the  Commission  promotes  an  open  and  competitive  digital  economy, 
emphasises  ICT  as  a  driver  of  inclusion  and  quality  of  life  and  provides  a 
comprehensive  strategy  for  the  ICT  and  media  sector.  Allied  to  this  strategy, 
benchmarking  is  seen  as  playing  a  central  role  in  monitoring  progress  towards  the 
renewed  Lisbon  objectives.  The  Commission  drew  up  the  i2010  benchmarking 
framework2 in close collaboration with the Member States, which sets out a list of key 
indicators for the related monitoring process. These indicators are grouped according to 
the  main  goals  of  the  i2010  strategy,  i.e.  monitoring  of  the  European  Information 
Space, research and innovation in ICT by businesses, social inclusion, public services 
and quality of life. 

There is a continuing need for statistical data provision in this domain, as ICT is still 
having a major impact on European businesses and societies. The development of the 
participative web, the worldwide computing grid, the "Internet of Things", ubiquitous 
connectivity  and  the  next  generation  networks  underline  the  need  for  statistical 
information on the information society. In addition, ICT and ICT related innovation are 
being  considered  as  fundamental  input  for  the  development  of  a  knowledge-based 
economy. 

The  internet  is  changing  from  an  information  source  to  an  increasingly  participative 
worldwide  web.  Citizens  are  contributing  more  and  more  to  the  web  and  using  it  for 
the purposes of blogging, media sharing and social networking.  

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COM(2005) 229 final 
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/eeurope/i2010/benchmarking/index_en.htm 

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Indications are evident that the internet will develop into a worldwide computing grid 
permitting  remote  access  to  secure  computer  resources  on  a  just-in-time  basis.  This 
development in particular is important for European businesses as significant gains in 
productivity are expected through better allocation of resources. 

In future, more and more devices, sensors and objects will be connected through fixed 
or  wireless  networks.  They  will  be  able  to  interact  with  the  environment  and  send 
information  to  other  devices  autonomously.  This  development  of  the  "Internet  of 
Things" will have relevance for transport, the environment, health care, sustainability 
and security systems and it will generate large efficiency gains in the economy. Mobile 
devices are becoming more intelligent and integrating several functions in one device. 
People  are  increasingly  using  these  mobile  devices  that  connect  wirelessly  to  the 
internet for retrieving and sending information. This will reinforce the development of 
the  participative  web  and  trigger  location-based  services.  One  consequence  of  these 
trends  is  the  increase  in  data  traffic  which  will  stimulate  the  transition  to  a  second-
generation broadband based on the Internet Protocol and offering significantly higher 
speeds.  The  move  towards  next-generation  networks  is  one  of  the  most  significant 
challenges characterising electronic communications in the coming years. 

The  Commission,  in  consultation  with  Member  States,  has  developed  a  Broadband 
Performance Index to benchmark overall performance of Member States on a range of 
factors  which  include  various  socio-economic  dimensions  as  well  as  the  take-up  of 
advanced services. The statistical data are of great importance to continue monitoring 
performance in this area. 

The  structural  indicators  used  in  the  annual  Spring  Report  to  the  European  Council 
require  indicators  based  on  coherent  statistical  information  from  the  information 
society domain. 

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•  Existing provisions in the area of the proposal 

Regulation  (EC)  No  808/2004  of  21  April  2004  concerning  Community  statistics  on 
the  information  society3  defines  an  annual  statistical  data  provision  for  the  two 
modules of "enterprises and the information society" and "households/individuals and 
the  information  society".  The  Regulation  contains  a  maximum  time  limit  of  5  years 
after  its  entry  into  force.  It  is  recognised  among  major  stakeholders  that  the  key 
objectives of the current Regulation have been achieved to a great extent. The related 
process  of  harmonisation  throughout  the  European  Union  has  strongly  influenced  the 
development of ICT statistics worldwide, putting the Statistical Office of the European 
Communities (Eurostat) and the European Statistical System in a leading position. The 
proposal to amend Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 will ensure the provision of statistical 
data on ICT usage in households, by individuals and in enterprises for the purpose of 
the benchmarking framework and its further developments under the Lisbon strategy. 
At  the  same  time,  this  amendment  aims  to  update  the  subjects  of  statistical  data 
provision to cater for the new developments in the area of ICT. Additionally, means for 
data analysis would be improved with the objective of a better use of the statistical data 
and  a  reduction  of  burden  on  respondents.  This  will  be  achieved  by  introducing  new 

3 

OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 49 

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methods of data analysis as part of the proposed Programme for the Modernisation of 
European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (MEETS)4. 

The proposed Regulation is in accordance with the Commission's new policy approach 
to  the  simplification  of  legislation  and  better  regulation,  as  referred  to  in  the 
Communications  of  14  November  2006  on  "a  strategic  review  of  better  regulation  in 
the  European  Union"5  and  on  "reduction  of  the  response  burden,  simplification  and 
priority-setting in the field of Community statistics"6. It is one of the fast track actions 
identified  in  Annex  III  to  the  Communication  of  24  January  2007  on  an  "Action 
programme for reducing administrative burdens in the European Union"7. 

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•  Consistency with other policies and objectives of the Union 

Information society services are seen as being vital to the development of the European 
Internal  Market8.  Electronic  commerce  in  particular  offers  significant  employment 
opportunities; it stimulates growth and investment in innovation by businesses and can 
contribute to enhanced competitiveness. In this respect, it is important to monitor the 
development of e-commerce within the internal market with statistical indicators. 

Coherent  statistical  information  is  useful  for  defining  and  reporting  on  ICT  skills 
indicators and thus setting up a coherent framework of indicators and benchmarks for 
monitoring progress towards the Lisbon objectives in education and training9. 

The proposal is consistent with the Commission priorities and the initiative focusing on 
better regulation, simplification and reduction of the burden on respondents. 

2. 

CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

•  Consultation of interested parties 

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Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents 

The  proposal  has  been  discussed  with  data  producers  in  the  European  Statistical 
System,  in  the  relevant  working  group,  and  with  the  heads  of  statistical  offices  and 
directors for business and social statistics. Secondly, the respective Commission DGs 
and  services  (DG  INFSO,  DG  ENTR,  DG  MARKT,  DG  SANCO,  DG  REGIO,  DG 
EAC,  DG  EMPL  and  DG  JRC)  have  been  consulted.  Thirdly,  the  proposal  has  been 
discussed  with  international  organisations  (OECD  -  Organisation  for  Economic 
Cooperation and Development). 

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Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account 

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COM(2007) 433 final 
COM(2006) 689 final 
COM(2006) 693 final 
COM(2007) 23 final 
OJ L 178, 17.7.2000, p. 1: Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 
June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in 
the Internal Market (Directive on electronic commerce) 
COM(2007) 61 final 

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The  current  proposal  is  the  result  of  intensive  negotiations  between  all  interested 
parties.  Given  the  rapidly  changing  nature  of  ICT,  it  is  considered  important  to 
maintain  flexibility  in  the  proposal  as  regards  the  subjects  for  which  statistical  data 
should be provided. In that connection, there is a need for fast provision of statistical 
data. The subjects have been updated in order to ensure consistency with the expected 
development of information society technologies. Provisions have been made to ensure 
harmonisation  with  other  social  statistics.  Finally,  there  will  be  greater  potential  for 
statistical data analysis through the provision of individual data records. 

•  Collection and use of expertise 

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Scientific/expertise domains concerned 

The  national  and  Commission  (DG  JRC,  DG  INFSO,  DG  ENTR,  DG  MARKT,  DG 
SANCO) representatives at the meetings of DG Eurostat's task force and the working 
group  on  "Information  Society  Statistics"  were  all  experts  with  knowledge  of  the 
existing  legislation,  the  national  systems  for  collecting  and  compiling  information 
society statistics and new trends in the development of ICT. 

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Methodology used 

The  experts  contributed  to  task  force  and  working  group  meetings  and  written 
consultations during the preparation process. 

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Main organisations/experts consulted 

The  main  experts  were  from  the  National  Statistical  Offices  and  from  DG  JRC,  DG 
INFSO,  DG  ENTR,  DG  MARKT,  DG  SANCO,  DG  REGIO,  DG  EAC  and  DG 
EMPL. 

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Summary of advice received and used 

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The  existence  of  potentially  serious  risks  with  irreversible  consequences  was  not 
mentioned. 

The  experts  contributed  to  the  definition  of  new  subjects  related  to  the  use  of 
computers and the internet for which statistical data should be collected in the future. 

Means used to make the expert advice publicly available 

The  working  documents  and  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the  task  force  and  working 
group are available via CIRCA. 

•  Analysis of effects and consequences 

Two options have been identified: 

Option 1: (The current Regulation will expire in 2009) – It would not be possible to 
carry  out  the  surveys  on  ICT  usage  in  enterprises  and  in  households  and  to  receive 
harmonised data at European level enforced by European law. The consequence would 
be  a  gradual  return  to  the  situation  prior  to  2005.  Statistical  indicators  were  not 

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harmonised between countries and thus not comparable. The set of indicators were not 
tuned to policy needs at European level. As there are still significant differences in the 
use  of  ICT  between  Member  States,  Member  States  would  very  likely  focus  on 
different indicators related to ICT. There was a significant time lag between collection 
of  statistical  data  at  national  level  and  publication  at  European  level.  The  quality 
standards applied would differ from country to country. This would lead to a situation 
where  separate  statistical  data  collections,  most  likely  from  the  private  sector,  would 
replace  official  statistical  data  at  European  level,  resulting  in  a  loss  of  credibility  of 
statistical data at European and at Member States level. A concerted approach between 
European policy institutions and the Member States would be increasingly difficult. 

Option  2:  (The  current  Regulation  will  be  amended)  –  Amendment  of  the  current 
Regulation would secure the continuous provision of statistical data on the information 
society.  The  definition  of  statistical  indicators  would  be  harmonised  within  the 
European Union. Further harmonisation would be achieved through the definition of a 
common  model  questionnaire  and  the  updating  of  the  methodological  manual,  which 
would also define common quality principles. The set of indicators would be tuned to 
relevant  policy  needs  at  European  level.  The  data  collection  period  would  be 
harmonised within the Member States, which is important to balance seasonal effects. 
Rapid  publication  of  statistical  data  at  European  level  would  be  guaranteed. 
Acceptance  and  credibility  of  statistical  data  at  European  and  Member  States  level 
would  be  higher  than  in  option 1.  Benchmarking  of  European  and  national  policies 
would  be  considerably  facilitated.  Expiry  of  the  current  Regulation  would  not 
significantly  reduce  the  burden  on  respondents,  as  Member  States  would  continue  to 
collect statistical data on the information society at national level. 

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LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

•  Summary of the proposed action 

The objective of the amended Regulation is to ensure the continuation of the existing 
common framework for the systematic production of reliable, harmonised, timely and 
high  quality  Community  statistics  on  the  information  society  and  the  provision  of 
annual statistical data on ICT usage in enterprises and in households. In addition, the 
proposal  aims  to  update  the  Regulation  according  to  the  needs  of  a  rapidly  evolving 
statistical domain. 

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•  Legal basis 

Article  285  of  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community  provides  the  legal 
basis  for  Community  statistics.  Acting  in  accordance  with  the  codecision  procedure, 
the  Council  adopts  measures  for  the  production  of  statistics,  where  necessary,  on  the 
performance of the activities of the Community. This Article sets out the requirements 
relating  to  the  production  of  Community  statistics,  stating  that  they  must  conform  to 
standards  of  impartiality,  reliability,  objectivity,  scientific  independence,  cost-
effectiveness and statistical confidentiality. 

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•  Subsidiarity principle 

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The  subsidiarity  principle  applies  insofar  as  the  proposal  does  not  fall  under  the 
exclusive competence of the Community. 

The  objectives  of  the  proposal  cannot  be sufficiently  achieved  by  the  Member  States 
for the following reason(s). 

The objectives of this proposal, namely the establishment of a common framework for 
the  systematic  production  of  Community  statistics  on  the  information  society,  cannot 
be sufficiently achieved by the Member States. 

Community  action  is  more  suited  to  achieving  the  objectives  of  the  proposal  for  the 
following reason(s). 

The  objectives  can  be  achieved  more  readily  at  Community  level  on  the  basis  of  a 
Community  legal  act,  because  only  the  Commission  can  coordinate  the  necessary 
harmonisation of statistical information at Community level, whereas the collection of 
data  and  compilation  of  comparable  statistics  on  the  information  society  can  be 
organised by the Member States. The Community may therefore take action to this end 
in accordance with the principle of subsidiary as enshrined in Article 5 of the Treaty. 

The formulation of policies at European level and the benchmarking of these European 
policies will be considerably facilitated. It will be easier to make comparisons between 
Member States using benchmarking exercises. 

The objective of the Regulation is the establishment of a common framework for the 
systematic production of Community statistics on the information society at European 
level. This can best be achieved by coordination at European level. 

The proposal therefore complies with the subsidiarity principle. 

•  Proportionality principle 

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reason(s). 

In  line  with  the  principle  of  proportionality,  this  Regulation  confines  itself  to  the 
minimum required to achieve its objective and does not go beyond what is necessary 
for that purpose. This Regulation does not specify the data collection mechanisms for 
each  Member  State,  but  merely  defines  the  data  to  be  supplied  so  as  to  ensure  a 
harmonised structure and timing. 

The  proposed  amendment  to  Regulation  (EC)  808/2004  of  the  European  Parliament 
and of the Council does not oblige Member States to change the system of production 
of  statistics  on  the  information  society.  The  proposal  contains  an  adaptation  to  other 
social statistics concerning a common set of socio-economic background variables. At 
the same time, the provision of individual data records would mean fewer burdens on 
the  National  Statistical  Offices.  The  burden  on  enterprises  is  kept  stable  following  a 
significant decrease in the 2007 implementing measures programme10.  

COM(2008)  35  final:  Commission  Working  Document  of  30  January  2008  "Reducing  administrative 
burdens in the European Union 2007 progress report and 2008 outlook" 

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•  Choice of instruments 

Proposed instruments: Regulation 

Other means would not be adequate for the following reason(s). 

Selection  of  the  appropriate  instrument  depends  on  the  legislative  goal.  Given  the 
information needs at European level, the trend for Community statistics has been to use 
Regulations rather than directives for basic acts. A Regulation is preferable because it 
lays  down  the  same  law  throughout  the  Community,  assuring  its  accurate  and 
comprehensive  application  by  the  Member  States.  It  is  directly  applicable,  which 
means that it does not need to be transposed into national law. In contrast, directives, 
which aim to harmonise national laws, are binding on Member States as regards their 
objectives,  but  leave  the  national  authorities  the  choice  of  form  and  methods  used  to 
achieve these objectives. They also have to be transposed into national law. The use of 
a Regulation is in line with other statistical legal acts adopted since 1997. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The data collection has no new implication for the Community budget. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

•  Simplification 

The  proposal  provides  for  simplification  of administrative  procedures  for  both  public 
authorities (EU or national) and private parties. 

The  proposal  specifies  subjects  for  which  data  on  the  information  society  should  be 
collected  and  defines  breakdowns  or  socio-economic  background  characteristics  for 
data provision. It is explicitly stated that the annual data provision would only cover a 
subset  of  subjects  and  breakdowns.  The  provision  of  individual  data  records  for  the 
module  on  individuals/households  rather  than  aggregate  data  lessens  the  burden  on 
national Statistical Offices, as they do not have to produce aggregates. 

This  proposal  is  one  of  the  fast  track  actions  identified  in  Annex  III  of  the 
Communication on an "Action programme for reducing administrative burdens in the 
European  Union".  The  Commission  working  document  (COM(2008)  35)  reports 
considerable progress in reducing the burden on enterprises through simplification and 
a shorter statistical indicators list in the 2007 implementing regulation. 

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E-13485 

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2008/0201(COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the 
information society 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
285 (1) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission11, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Statistical Programme Committee, established by Council 
Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom12, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty13, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

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14 

The  annual  provision  of  statistics  on  the  Information  society  as  laid  down  in 
Regulation (EC) 808/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 
200414 is restricted to up to five reference years after the date of entry into force of the 
Regulation  and  will  end  in  2009.  However,  there  is  a  continuing  need  at  European 
level for the annual provision of coherent statistical information from the information 
society domain. 

The  Spring  European  Council  in  March  2005  stressed  the  importance  of  building  a 
fully  inclusive  information  society,  based  on  widespread  use  of  information  and 
communication  technologies  (ICTs)  in  public  services,  small  and  medium  sized 
enterprises (SME) and households.  

The  Spring  European  Council  in  March  2006  recognised  the  crucial  importance  of 
more  productive  use  of  information  and  communication  technologies  in  businesses 
and administrative organisations and called on the Commission and the Member States 
to  implement  the  i2010  strategy  vigorously.  It  promotes  an  open  and  competitive 

OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47. 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ  L  143,  30.4.2004,  p.49.  Regulation  as  amended  by  Regulation  (EC  No  1893/2006  (OJ  L  393, 
3012.2006, p. 1) 

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(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

digital  economy  and  highlights  ICT  as  a  driver  of  inclusion  and  quality  of  life.  It  is 
seen as a key factor in the renewed Lisbon partnership for growth and jobs. 

In  April  2006  the  i2010  high  level  group  endorsed  the  i2010  benchmarking 
framework,  which  sets  out  a  list  of  key  indicators  to  benchmark  the  development  of 
the European Information Society as laid out in the i2010 strategy. 

Decision  1639/2006/EC  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  of  24  October 
2006 establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (2007 to 
2013) 15 helps to enhance competitiveness and innovation capacity in the Community, 
to  promote  the  advancement  of  the  knowledge  society,  and  to  foster  sustainable 
development  based  on  balanced  economic  growth.  The  decision  requires  the 
Community  to  equip  itself  with  sound  analytical  basis  in  the  respective  areas  to 
support policy making. The programme supports actions for policy analyses based on 
official statistics. 

At the ministerial debate on e-inclusion in December 2007, the Communication of the 
Commission on a European Initiative on e-inclusion – “To be part of the Information 
Society”16  was  welcomed  in  the  conclusions  of  the  presidency.  The  importance  of 
promoting e-inclusion as major European objective was recognised. The Commission 
and ministers were in particular called upon to integrate e-inclusion as new dimension 
of  social  policies.  e-Inclusion  policies  should  address  e-accessibility  barriers,  bridge 
digital  competence  gaps  and  encourage  effective  participation  of  individuals  lagging 
behind in the information society. 

(7) 

The  indicators  for  benchmarking  the  development  of  the  information  society  as 
expressed  in  the  political  strategies  of  the  Community,  such  as  the  i2010 
benchmarking framework of the i2010 strategy and its further developments under the 
Lisbon strategy have to be based on coherent statistical information. 

(8) 

Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly, 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 is amended as follows: 

1. 

In Article 3, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 

"1.  The  statistics  to  be  compiled  shall  include  information  required  to  benchmark 
political  strategies  of  the  Community  on  the  development  of  the  European 
Information Space, business innovation and the European Information Society, such 
as  the  i2010  benchmarking  framework  and  its  developments  under  the  Lisbon 
strategy,  and  useful  to  the  structural  indicators,  and  other  information  necessary  to 
provide a uniform basis on which to analyse the information society." 

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OJ L 310, 9.11.2006, p. 15. 
COM(2007) 694 final. 

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2. 

In Article 6, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 

"1.  Member  States  shall  transmit  the  data  and  the  metadata  required  by  this 
Regulation  and  its  implementing  measures,  including  confidential  data,  to  the 
Commission (Eurostat) in accordance with the existing Community provisions on the 
transmission  of  data  subject  to  statistical  confidentiality.  Those  Community 
provisions  shall  apply  to  the  treatment  of  the  results,  in  so  far  as  they  include 
confidential data." 

3. 

In Article 7, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: 

"2. For the purpose of this Regulation, the following quality assessment dimensions 
shall apply to the data transmitted: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

'Relevance',  which  refers  to  the  degree  to  which  statistics  meet  current  and 
potential needs of the users;  

'Accuracy',  which  refers  to  the  closeness  of  estimates  to  the  unknown  true 
values; 

'Timeliness',  which  refers  to  the  time  lag  between  the  availability  of  the 
information and the event or phenomenon it describes; 

'Punctuality', which refers to the time lag between the date of the release of the 
data and the target date when it should have been delivered; 

'Accessibility'  and  'Clarity'  ,  which  refer  to  the  conditions  and  modalities  by 
which users can obtain, use and interpret data; 

'Comparability', which refers to the measurement of the impact of differences 
in  applied  statistical  concepts  and  measurement  tools  and  procedures  when 
statistics  are  compared  between  geographical  areas,  sectoral  domains  or  over 
time; 

(g) 

'Coherence', which refers to the adequacy to be reliably combined in different 
ways and for various uses. 

In applying the quality assessment dimensions, the Commission (Eurostat), in close 
cooperation  with  Member  States,  shall  develop  detailed  quality  assessment  criteria 
and  common  standards  designed  to  ensure  the  quality  of  the  data  provided.  These 
standards shall be published in the methodological manual." 

4. 

Annexes I and II are replaced by Annexes I and II to this Regulation. 

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in 
the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Article 2 

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 

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Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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"ANNEX I 

MODULE 1: ENTERPRISES AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY 

(1) 

Aims 

The  aim  of  this  module  is  the  timely  provision  of  statistics  on  enterprises  and  the 
information  society.  It  provides  a  framework  for  the  requirements  in  terms  of 
coverage  and  periodicity,  subjects  covered,  breakdowns  of  data  provision,  type  of 
data provision and any necessary pilot studies. 

(2) 

Coverage 

This module covers business activities within Sections C to N and R and Division 95 
of  the  statistical  classification  of  economic  activities  in  the  European  Community 
(NACE REV. 2). 

Statistics will be compiled for enterprise units. 

(3) 

Periodicity of data provision 

Statistics  will  be  provided  annually  following  the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  this 
Regulation.  Not  all  characteristics  will  necessarily  be  provided  each  year;  the 
periodicity of provision for each characteristic will be specified and agreed upon as 
part of the implementing measures referred to in Article 8. 

(4) 

Subjects covered 

The characteristics to be provided will be drawn from the following list of subjects: 

–  ICT systems and their usage in enterprises, 

–  use of the internet and other electronic networks by enterprises, 

–  e-commerce, 

–  e-business processes and organisational aspects, 

–  use of ICT by enterprises to exchange information and services with governments 

and public administrations (e-government), 

–  ICT competence in the enterprise unit and the need for ICT skills, 

–  barriers to the use of ICT, the internet and other electronic networks, e-commerce 

and e-business processes, 

–  ICT expenditure and investment, 

–  ICT security and trust, 

–  ICT and sustainable development 

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–  impact  of  ICT  on  productivity,  economic  growth,  employment,  business 

organisation and the environment, 

–  use of ICT to facilitate national and international economic integration, 

–  access  to  and  use  of  the  internet  and  other  network  technologies  for  connecting 

objects and devices (Internet of Things),  

–  access to and use of technologies providing the ability to connect to the internet or 

other networks from anywhere at any time (ubiquitous connectivity) 

Not all subjects will necessarily be covered each year. 

(5) 

Breakdowns of data provision 

Not all breakdowns will necessarily be provided each year; the breakdowns required 
will be drawn from the following list and agreed upon as part of the implementing 
measures: 

–  by size class, 

–  by NACE heading, 

–  by region: regional breakdowns will be limited to no more than three groupings. 

(6) 

Type of data provision 

Member States will transmit aggregate data to the Commission (Eurostat). 

(7) 

Pilot studies 

Whenever  significant  new  data  requirements  are  identified,  insufficient  quality  of 
data  is  to  be  expected  or  new  indicators  of  a  complex  nature  are  required,  the 
Commission  will  institute  pilot  studies  or  testing  measures  to  be  completed  on  a 
voluntary basis by the Member States before any data collection. These pilot studies 
will assess the feasibility of the respective data collection, taking into consideration 
the benefits of the availability of the data in relation to the collection costs and the 
burden  on  respondents.  The  results  of  the  pilot  studies  or  testing  measures  shall 
contribute to the definition of new indicators. 

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MODULE 2: INDIVIDUALS, HOUSEHOLDS AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY 

ANNEX II 

(1) 

Aims 

The  aim  of  this  module  is  the  timely  provision  of  statistics  on  individuals, 
households and the information society. It provides a framework for the requirements 
in terms of coverage and periodicity, subjects covered, breakdowns of data provision, 
type of data provision and any necessary pilot studies. 

(2) 

Coverage 

This module covers statistics about individuals and households. 

(3) 

Periodicity of data provision 

Statistics  will  be  provided  annually  following  the  date  of  entry  into  force  of  this 
Regulation.  Not  all  characteristics  will  necessarily  be  provided  each  year;  the 
periodicity of provision for each characteristic will be specified and agreed upon as 
part of the implementing measures referred to in Article 8. 

(4) 

Subjects covered 

The characteristics to be provided will be drawn from the following list of subjects: 

–  access to and use of ICTs by individuals and/or in households, 

–  use  of  the  internet  and  other  electronic  networks  for  different  purposes  by 

individuals and/or in households, 

–  ICT security and trust, 

–  ICT competence and skills, 

–  barriers to the use of ICT and the internet, 

–  perceived effects of ICT usage on individuals and/or on households, 

–  use of ICT by individuals to exchange information and services with governments 

and public administrations (e-government), 

–  access to and use of technologies providing the ability to connect to the internet or 

other networks from anywhere at any time (ubiquitous connectivity) 

Not all subjects will necessarily be covered each year. 

(5) 

Socio-economic background characteristics of data provision 

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Not  all  background  characteristics  will  necessarily  be  provided  each  year;  the 
background characteristics required will be drawn from the following list and agreed 
upon as part of the implementing measures: 

(a) 

for statistics supplied for households: 

– 

– 

– 

by household type, 

by income group, 

by region. 

(b) 

for statistics supplied for individuals: 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

by age group, 

by sex, 

by education level, 

by employment situation, 

by de facto marital status, 

by country of birth, citizenship, 

by region. 

(6) 

Type of data provision 

Member  States  will  transmit  individual  data  records,  which  will  not  allow  direct 
identification of statistical units concerned, to the Commission (Eurostat). 

(7) 

Pilot studies 

Whenever  significant  new  data  requirements  are  identified,  insufficient  quality  of 
data  is  to  be  expected  or  new  indicators  of  a  complex  nature  are  required,  the 
Commission  will  institute  pilot  studies  or  testing  measures  to  be  completed  on  a 
voluntary basis by the Member States before any data collection. These pilot studies 
will assess the feasibility of the respective data collection, taking into consideration 
the benefits of the availability of the data in relation to the collection costs and the 
burden  on  respondents.  The  results  of  the  pilot  studies  or  testing  measures  shall 
contribute to the definition of new indicators." 

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