Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics
Date: 2012-04-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, EU statistics, Eurostat, disclosure of information, official statistics, statistical method

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 17.4.2012  
COM(2012) 167 final 

2012/0084 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics 

(Text with relevance for the EEA and Switzerland) 

 
 
 
 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

Reliable  statistics  are  becoming  increasingly  necessary  if  policymakers,  businesses  and 
citizens  are  to  take  adequate  evidence-based  decisions.  Therefore,  the  main  concern  for  all 
statistical  authorities  is  to  ensure  that  the  data  produced  is  of  high  quality.  A  European 
Statistics Code of Practice1 was agreed in 2005 and the basic legal framework governing the 
development, production and dissemination of European statistics by the European Statistical 
System (ESS) was modernised in 2009 through the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics2. 

Recent  economic  developments  have  again  demonstrated  the  need  to  further  strengthen  the 
credibility of statistics. Economic-policy instruments and results have been affected — more 
than  ever  before  —  by  the  mood  of  global  financial  markets  and  the  strategies  pursued  by 
those involved in them. Statistics have become as credible as the public, notably the financial 
markets,  believes  they  are.  Reliability  of  statistical  data  in  terms  of  technical  quality-
assessment  criteria  is  a  pre-requisite  in  order  to  ensure  the  trust  of  users.  But  equally 
important  is  the  credibility  of  the  institutions  producing  statistics.  In  this  context,  the 
professional  independence  of  statistical  authorities  must  receive  particular  attention  and  be 
guaranteed by law. 

The  Commission  recognised  these  facts  and  in  its  Communication  ‘Towards  robust  quality 
management for European Statistics’3 it indicated the need to strengthen the governance of the 
European  Statistical  System  (ESS)  by  securing  unconditional  application  of  the  principle  of 
professional  independence  of  National  Statistical  Institutes  (NSIs),  by  clarifying  their 
coordinating role in the national statistical systems and by enhancing the use of administrative 
data for statistical purposes. Furthermore, it was proposed that ‘Commitments on Confidence 
in Statistics’ (CoC) be established in order to make national governments aware of their role 
in,  and  co-responsibility  for,  ensuring  the  credibility  of  official  statistics  by  respecting  the 
independence  of  NSIs.  According  to  the  Communication,  all  these  measures  should  be 
introduced  by  an  amendment  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  223/2009.  Moreover,  the  European 
Statistics Code of Practice should be revised accordingly4. 

The diagnosis included in the above Communication and the improvement actions proposed 
were  supported  by  the  ECOFIN  Council  (3100th  meeting  on  20  June  2011).  The  key 
relevance of the principle of professional independence of NSIs was also explicitly recognised 
by  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  in  the  legislative  ‘six-pack’  on  enhanced 
economic  governance  which  entered  into  force  in  December  2011.  It  specified  that  the 
professional  independence  of  national  statistical  authorities  requires,  inter  alia,  transparent 
recruitment  and  dismissal  processes  based  solely  on  professional  criteria5.  Moreover,  on  13 

1 

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4 

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Recommendation of the Commission on the independence, integrity and accountability of the national 
and Community statistical authorities, COM(2005) 217 final, 25.5.2005. 
OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164. 
COM(2011) 211 final, 15.4.2011. 
A revision of the European Statistics Code of Practice was approved by the European Statistical System 
Committee on 28 September 2011. 
Article 1(14) of Regulation (EU) No 1175/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 
November  2011  amending  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1466/97  on  the  strengthening  of  the 

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March  2012  the  European  Parliament  adopted  a  resolution  calling  on  the  Commission  to 
rapidly  implement  measures  to  improve  quality-management  and  governance  in  European 
statistics. 

2. 

RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES 

The proposal largely builds on the final conclusions and recommendations of the ESS ‘Task 
Force on the revision of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and on Commitments on Confidence 
in  Statistics’,  which  met  several  times  between  June  and  October  2011.  This  Task  Force 
comprised  representatives  of  14  countries  and  discussed  four  main  issues  set  out  in  the 
Communication ‘Towards robust quality management for European Statistics’ with respect to 
strengthening the governance of the European Statistical System: independence of NSIs, their 
coordinating  role  in  national  statistical  systems,  the  use  and  management  of  administrative 
data and ‘Commitments on Confidence in Statistics’.  

Furthermore, consultation on the draft proposal has been conducted with the ESS Committee, 
whose  overall  mission  is  to  provide  the  ESS  with  professional  guidance  on  developing, 
producing and disseminating European statistics in line with statistical principles. 

3. 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

The proposal calls for a revision of the current basic legal framework for European statistics, 
adapting it to meet the policy needs and challenges created for European statistics by recent 
developments in the global economy. The main goal is to further strengthen governance in the 
European  Statistical  System  in  order  to  safeguard  its  high  credibility  and  to  respond 
adequately  to  data  needs  resulting  from  the  enhanced  economic-policy  coordination  in  the 
European Union. 

In  particular,  the  professional  independence  of  national  statistical  authorities  is  of  key 
relevance  in  this  context.  The  current  proposal  refers  explicitly  to  the  Heads  of  NSIs  as 
persons whose independence in performing their duties is a pre-condition for establishing the 
independence of the respective institutions. To that end, it is indispensable that Heads of NSIs 
have the freedom to decide on processes, statistical methods, standards and procedures, and 
on  the  content  and  timing  of  statistical  releases  and  publications  for  all  European  statistics. 
They  must  be  also  forbidden  from  seeking,  and  protected  from  receiving,  instructions  from 
national  governments  and  other  institutions.  Moreover,  Heads  of  NSIs  should  be  granted 
considerable  autonomy  in  deciding  on  the  internal  management  of  the  statistical  office  and 
allowed to publicly comment on the budget allocated to the NSI in the context of statistical 
tasks to be performed. Furthermore, there must exist transparent and legally-binding rules for 
the appointment, transfer and dismissal of Heads of NSI, based solely on professional criteria. 

However,  Heads  of  NSIs  should  not  only  enjoy  broad  autonomy,  they  should  also  be 
accountable  for  the  results  the  NSIs  provide  both  in  terms  of  statistical  output  and  budget 
execution. Accordingly, they should present an annual report on the statistical activities and 
the financial situation of the respective authority.  

surveillance  of  budgetary  positions  and  the  surveillance  and  coordination  of  economic  policies;  OJ  L 
306, 23.11.2011, p. 12. 

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As stipulated by the Commission in its Communication ‘Towards robust quality management 
for European Statistics’, the proposal for an amendment of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 also 
includes the establishment of ‘Commitments on Confidence in Statistics’. These declarations 
of  respect  of  the  European  Statistics  Code  of  Practice,  and  notably  of  the  principle  of 
independence of NSIs, aim at strengthening statistical governance in the EU and safeguarding 
the credibility of European statistics. According to the proposal, they should be signed by the 
governments of all Member States and counter-signed by the Commission, both at the highest 
applicable  level.  Each  CoC  is  intended  to  be  drafted  individually  by  the  Member  State 
concerned and to contain country-specific improvement actions. The actual implementation of 
these  actions  would  be  monitored  by  Eurostat  as  part  of  the  already  established  regular 
assessment of Member States’ compliance with the European Statistics Code of Practice.  

The coordinating role of NSIs in the national statistical systems is clarified by the proposal to 
amend  Article  5(1)  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  223/2009.  Explicit  references  to  institutions  and 
functions to be coordinated have been added. 

Another amendment clarifying the role of the NSIs is the new Article 17a on the access to, 
use  and  integration  of  administrative  records,  which  replaces  the  current  Article  24.  Its 
primary aim is to establish a legal framework for more  extensive  use  of administrative data 
sources  for  the  production  of  European  statistics  without  increasing  the  burden  on 
respondents, NSIs and other national authorities. According to the proposal, NSIs should be 
involved, to the extent necessary, in decisions on the design, development and discontinuation 
of  administrative  records  which  could  be  used  in  the  production  of  statistical  data.  They 
should  also  coordinate  relevant  standardisation  activities  and  receive  metadata  on 
administrative data extracted for statistical purposes. Free and timely access to administrative 
records  should  be  granted  to  NSIs,  other  national  authorities  and  Eurostat,  but  only  within 
their  own  respective  public  administrative  system  and  to  the  extent  necessary  for  the 
development, production and dissemination of European statistics. 

The  amendment  to  Article  6  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  223/2009  incorporates  the  need  to 
adequately secure the independent position of Eurostat at Union level in the same way as is 
proposed  for  NSIs  at  national  level.  It  is  crucial  for  the  credibility  of  the  entire  European 
Statistical  System  and  was  strongly  emphasised  by a  vast  majority  of  the  Member  States  in 
the preceding stakeholder consultation. 

Moreover, in order to simplify budget planning for statistical activities and to make it more 
stable, the programming period of the European statistical programme was brought into line 
with the Union’s multi-annual financial framework. 

Finally,  the  proposed  amendment  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  223/2009  takes  account  of  the 
necessary adjustments to the Lisbon Treaty as regards granting the Commission delegated and 
implementing powers. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The  proposal  is  expected  to  have  no  resource  impact  within  the  ESS.  On  the  contrary,  it  is 
meant  to  simplify  and  improve  coordination  and  collaboration  within  the  system,  thus 
ultimately leading to more efficient production of European statistics and to a reduced burden 
on respondents.  

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The  human  resources  required  within  the  Commission  will  be  met  by  staff  from  the 
Directorate  General  who  are  already  assigned  to  management  of  the  legal  act  concerned 
and/or have been redeployed within the Directorate General. 

5. 

OPTIONAL ELEMENTS 

None. 

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2012/0084 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics 

(Text with relevance for the EEA and Switzerland) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  and  in  particular 
Article 338(1) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments, 

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

The  European  Statistical  System  (the  ESS),  as  a  partnership,  has  in  general 
successfully  consolidated  its  activities  to  ensure  the  development,  production  and 
dissemination  of  high-quality  European  statistics,  including  by  improving  the 
governance of the system. 

Some weaknesses have, however, recently been identified, in particular with regard to 
the statistical quality-management framework. 

The Commission suggested action to address these weaknesses in its Communication 
of 15 April 2011 to the European Parliament and the Council ‘Towards robust quality 
management  for  European  Statistics’6.  In  particular,  it  suggested  a  targeted 
amendment  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  223/2009  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the 
Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics7. 

In its conclusions of 20 June 2011, the ECOFIN Council welcomed the Commission’s 
initiative  and  stressed  the  importance  of  continuously improving  the  governance  and 
efficiency of the ESS. 

In addition, the impact on the statistical domain of recent developments in the context 
of the economic-governance framework of the Union should be taken into account, in 

6 
7 

COM(2011) 211 final. 
OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164. 

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particular  aspects  related  to  statistical  independence  such  as  transparent  recruitment 
and dismissal processes, budgetary allocations and pre-release calendars, as laid down 
in Regulation (EU) No 1175/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council of 16 
November  2011  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No  1466/97  on  the  strengthening  of  the 
surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic 
policies8, as well as those related to the requirement for bodies in charge of monitoring 
the implementation of national fiscal rules to enjoy functional autonomy, as laid down 
in Regulation (EU) No …/…of the European Parliament and the Council on common 
provisions  for  monitoring  and  assessing  draft  budgetary  plans  and  ensuring  the 
correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area. 

(6) 

Those aspects should not remain limited to the statistics produced for the purposes of 
the fiscal-surveillance system and the excessive-deficit procedure but should apply to 
all European statistics developed, produced and disseminated by the ESS. 

(7)  Moreover,  the  adequacy  of  resources  attributed  on  an  annual  or  a  multiannual  basis 
and  available  to  meet  statistical  needs  is  a  necessary  condition  for  the  professional 
independence of statistical authorities. 

(8) 

(9) 

(10) 

To  that  effect,  the  professional  independence  of  statistical  authorities  should  be 
strengthened and minimum standards should be enforced, in particular as regards the 
heads  of  national  statistical  institutes  (NSIs),  to  whom  specific  guarantees  should  be 
provided  in  terms  of  the  performance  of  statistical  tasks,  organisational  management 
and resource allocation. 

Furthermore, the coordinating role already attributed to the NSIs should be clarified as 
regards its scope, so as to achieve more efficient coordination of statistical activities at 
national level, including quality management. 

In order to reduce the burden on statistical authorities and respondents, the NSIs and 
other  national  authorities  should  be  able  to  access  and  use  administrative  records, 
including  those  filled  electronically,  promptly  and  free-of-charge,  as  well  as  to 
integrate these records with statistics. 

(11)  The  NSIs  should  furthermore  be  consulted  at  an  early  stage  on  the  design  of  new 
administrative records that could provide data for statistical purposes and on planned 
changes to, or cessation of, existing administrative sources. They should also receive 
relevant  metadata  from 
the  owners  of  administrative  data  and  coordinate 
standardisation  activities  concerning  administrative  records  that  are  relevant  for 
statistical data production. 

(12)  The  confidentiality  of  data  obtained  from  administrative  records  should  be  protected 
under the common principles and guidelines applicable to all confidential data used for 
the  production  of  European  statistics.  Quality-assessment  frameworks  applicable  to 
these data should also be established. 

(13)  The quality of European statistics could be strengthened and the confidence  of users 
reinforced,  by  involving  national  governments  in  the  responsibility  of  applying  the 
European  Statistics  Code  of  Practice.  To  this  end,  a  ‘Commitment  on  Confidence  in 

8 

OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 12. 

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Statistics’  should  be  established  in  each  Member  State  and  include  specific 
undertakings by its government to implement the Code and national quality-assurance 
frameworks, including self-assessments and improvement actions. 

(14)  As the production of European statistics must be based on long-term operational and 
financial  planning  in  order  to  ensure  a  high  degree  of  independence,  the  European 
statistical  programme  should  cover  the  same  period  as  the  multiannual  financial 
framework. 

(15)  Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 confers powers on the Commission to implement some 
of  the  provisions  of  that  Regulation;  as  a  consequence  of  the  entry  into  force  of  the 
Lisbon Treaty, the powers conferred under this Regulation upon the Commission need 
to be aligned to Articles 290 and 291 of the Treaty. 

(16)  The  Commission  should  have  the  power  to  adopt  delegated  acts  in  accordance  with 
Article  290  of  the  Treaty  in  order  to  supplement  or  amend  certain  non-essential 
elements of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 so as to specify quality requirements, such 
as  target  values  and  minimum  standards  for  the  statistical  production,  when  sectoral 
statistical  legislation  does  not  provide  for  these.  The  Commission  should  ensure  that 
these  delegated  acts  do  not  impose  a  significant  additional  administrative  burden  on 
the Member States and on the respondent units. 

(17) 

It  is  of  particular  importance  that  the  Commission  carry  out  the  appropriate 
consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, 
when  preparing  and  drawing-up  delegated  acts,  should  ensure  simultaneous,  timely 
and appropriate submission of the relevant documents to the European Parliament and 
Council. 

(18)  There is a need for uniform conditions for implementing access to confidential data for 
scientific  purposes.  Implementing  powers  should  be  conferred  on  the  Commission 
with  a  view  to  establishing  the  arrangements,  rules  and  conditions  governing  such 
access  at  Union  level,  in  accordance  with  the  examination  procedure  laid  down  in 
Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council 
laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the 
Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers9. 

(19)  Since the objective of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member 
States  and  can  be  better  achieved  at  Union  level,  the  Union  may  adopt  measures,  in 
accordance  with  the  principle  of  subsidiarity as  set  out  in  Article  5  of  the  Treaty  on 
European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that 
Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that 
objective. 

(20)  The European Statistical System Committee has been consulted, 

9 

OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13. 

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HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 is amended as follows: 

(1) 

In Article 2(1), point (a) is replaced by the following: 

‘professional independence’, meaning that statistics must be developed, produced and 
‘(a) 
disseminated  in  an  independent  manner,  particularly  as  regards  the  selection  of  techniques, 
definitions, methodologies and sources to be used, and the timing and content of all forms of 
dissemination,  free  from  any  pressures  from  political  or  interest  groups  or  from  Union  or 
national authorities;’ 

(2) 

In Article 5, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 

‘1. The national statistical authority designated by each Member State as the body having the 
responsibility for coordinating all activities at national level for the development, production 
and dissemination of European statistics (the NSI) shall act in this regard as the sole contact 
point for the Commission (Eurostat) on statistical matters. 

The  coordinating  responsibility  of  the  NSI  shall  cover  all  other  national  authorities 
responsible  for  the  development,  production  and  dissemination  of  European  statistics.  The 
NSI  shall,  in  particular,  be  responsible  at  national  level  for  coordinating  statistical 
programming  and  reporting,  quality  monitoring,  methodology,  data  transmission  and 
communication on ESS statistical actions.’ 

(3) 

The following Article 5a is inserted: 

‘Article 5a 
Heads of NSIs 

1. 
Within  their  national  statistical  system,  the  heads  of  NSIs  shall  have  the  sole 
responsibility for deciding on processes, statistical methods, standards and procedures, and on 
the content and timing of statistical releases and publications for all European statistics. They 
shall be empowered to decide on all matters regarding the internal management of the NSI. 
They shall coordinate the statistical activities of all national authorities that contribute to the 
development,  production  and  dissemination  of  European  statistics.  When  carrying  out  these 
tasks, the heads of NSIs shall act in an independent manner; they shall neither seek nor take 
instructions from any government or other institution, body, office or entity; they shall refrain 
from any action incompatible with the performance of these tasks. 

The  procedures  for  recruitment,  transfer  and  dismissal  of  heads  of  NSIs  shall  be 

2. 
transparent and based on professional criteria only. 

The  heads  of  NSIs  shall  be  accountable  for  the  statistical  activities  and  budget 
3. 
execution  of  the  NSI;  they  shall  publish  an  annual  report  and  may  express  comments  on 
budget allocation issues related to the statistical activities of the NSI. 

4. 

The heads of NSIs shall represent their national statistical systems within the ESS.’ 

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(4) 

In Article 6, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following: 

‘2. 
At  Union  level,  the  Commission  (Eurostat)  shall  act  independently  in  ensuring  the 
production  of  European  statistics  according  to  established  rules  and  statistical  principles.  In 
this respect, it shall have the sole responsibility for deciding on processes, statistical methods, 
standards and procedures, and on the content and timing of statistical releases.’ 

(5) 

In Article 11, the following paragraph 3 is added: 

‘3.  Member States shall take all necessary measures to implement the Code of Practice in 
order to maintain confidence in their statistics. To this effect, each Member State, represented 
by  its  government,  shall  sign  and  implement  a  ‘Commitment  on  Confidence  in  Statistics’ 
whereby  specific  policy  commitments  are  made  to  implement  the  Code  and  to  establish  a 
national  quality  assurance  framework,  including  self-assessments  and  improvement  actions. 
The Commitment shall be counter-signed by the Commission. 

These commitments shall be regularly monitored by the Commission on the basis of annual 
reports sent by Member States. The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and 
the  Council  on  the  implementation  of  these  commitments  within  3  years  of  the  entry  into 
force of this Regulation.’ 

(6) 

In Article 12(2), the second sub-paragraph is replaced by the following: 

‘Specific  quality  requirements,  such  as  target  values  and  minimum  standards  for  the 
production  of  statistics,  may  be  laid  down  in  sectoral  legislation.  Where  sectoral  legislation 
does  not  so  provide,  the  Commission  may  adopt,  by  means  of  delegated  acts  in  accordance 
with Article 26a, such specific quality requirements.’ 

(7) 

In Article 13, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 

‘1. 
The European statistical programme shall provide the framework for the development, 
production  and  dissemination  of  European  statistics,  setting  out  the  main  fields  and  the 
objectives  of  the  actions  envisaged  for  a  period  corresponding  to  that  of  the  multiannual 
financial framework. It shall be decided upon by the European Parliament and the Council. Its 
impact and cost effectiveness shall be assessed with input from independent experts.’ 

(8) 

The following Article 17a is inserted: 

‘Article 17a 
Access, use and integration of administrative records 

‘1. 
In  order  to  reduce  the  burden  on  respondents,  the  NSIs,  other  national  authorities  as 
referred to in Article 4 and the Commission (Eurostat) shall have the right to access and use, 
promptly  and  free  of  charge,  all  administrative  records  and  to  integrate  these  administrative 
records  with  statistics,  to  the  extent  necessary  for  the  development,  production  and 
dissemination of European statistics. 

The  NSIs  and  the  Commission  (Eurostat)  shall  be  consulted  on  and  involved  in  the 
2. 
initial design, subsequent development and discontinuation of administrative records built up 
and maintained by other bodies, thus facilitating the further use of these records for statistical 
purposes.  They  shall  have  the  right  to  coordinate  standardisation  activities  concerning 
administrative records relevant for statistical data production. 

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3. 
Access by and involvement of the NSIs, other national authorities and the Commission 
(Eurostat)  pursuant  to  paragraphs  1  and  2  shall  be  limited  to  administrative  records  within 
their own respective public administrative system. 

The  NSIs  shall  receive  relevant  metadata  from  the  owners  of  administrative  records 

4. 
used for statistical purposes. 

The  NSIs  and  owners  of  administrative  records  shall  establish  the  necessary 

5. 
cooperation mechanisms.’ 

(9) 

In Article 23, the second sub-paragraph is replaced by the following: 

‘The  arrangements,  rules  and  conditions  for  access  at  Union  level  shall  be  established  in 
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 27(2).’ 

(10) 

Article 24 is deleted. 

(11) 

The following Article 26a is inserted: 

‘Article 26a 
Exercise of delegated powers 

The  power  to  adopt  delegated  acts  is  conferred  on  the  Commission  subject  to  the 

1. 
conditions laid down in this Article. 

2. 
The  delegation  of  power  referred  to  in  Article  12(2)  shall  be  conferred  on  the 
Commission  for  a  period  of  5  years  from  the  entry  into  force  of  this  Regulation.  The 
Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine 
months  before  the  end  of  the  five-year  period.  The  delegation  of  power  shall  be  tacitly 
extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council 
opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period. 

The delegation of power referred to in Article 12(2) may be revoked at any time by the 

3. 
European Parliament or by the Council. 

A  revocation  decision  shall  put  an  end  to  the  delegation  of  the  power  specified  in  that 
decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official 
Journal  of  the  European  Union  or  at  a  later  date  specified  therein.  It  shall  not  affect  the 
validity of any delegated acts already in force. 

As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to 

4. 
the European Parliament and to the Council. 

5. 
A  delegated  act  adopted  pursuant  to  Article  12(2)  shall  enter  into  force  only  if  no 
objection  has  been  expressed  either  by  the  European  Parliament  or  the  Council  within  a 
period of 2 months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, 
before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed 
the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the 
initiative of the European Parliament or the Council.’ 

(12) 

Article 27 is replaced by the following: 

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‘Article 27 
Committee 

The Commission shall be assisted by the European Statistical System Committee. That 

1. 
committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No182/2011. 

Where  reference 

2. 
this  paragraph,  Article  5 of Regulation  (EU) 
No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council laying down the rules and general 
principles  concerning  mechanisms  for  control  by  the  Member  States  of  the  Commission’s 
exercise of implementing powers shall apply.’. 

is  made 

to 

Article 2 

Entry into force 

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

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

Done at Brussels, 17.4.2012 

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

EN 

12 

   EN