CELEX: 52013PC0342
Language: en
Date: 2013-06-07
Title: Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the provision and quality of statistics for the macroeconomic imbalances procedure

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		52013PC0342
		
			Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the provision and quality of statistics for the macroeconomic imbalances procedure /* COM/2013/0342 final - 2013/0181 (COD) */
			
				
		
		
			
			   	EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.           CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
This initiative fits into the political
context of improving of the economic governance of the Union. Together with the
Union strategy for growth and jobs, the European semester for the coordination
of economic and budgetary policies, and the Stability and Growth Pact for the
correction of government excessive deficits, there is a need to detect, prevent
and correct macroeconomic imbalances.
For this purpose, Regulation (EU) No
1176/2011 set out detailed rules for the early detection, prevention and
correction of macroeconomic imbalances which emerge or persist in the euro area
and the EU (the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure or MIP). 
The MIP and its scoreboard of indicators
require efficient statistical quality monitoring of the indicators and of the
underlying statistical information.
The ECOFIN Councils of 8 November 2011 and
13 November 2012 underlined the importance for the credibility of the MIP of
having timely statistics of the highest quality for inclusion in the scoreboard
and invited the Commission (Eurostat) to take all necessary initiatives to
assure a reliable procedure for the compilation of these statistics as well as
a continuous improvement of the underlying statistical information.
There is therefore a need to develop a
robust statistical monitoring system for the MIP based on a Regulation of the
European Parliament and of the Council. This Regulation will cover the
monitoring of data quality; the compilation and transmission of data and
metadata; and the reporting/communication on the data to the different
stakeholders and to the European Parliament and the Council. 
The Regulation will introduce new tasks for
the Commission (Eurostat) on the following main aspects: validating the quality
of the MIP relevant data in relation to quality criteria that either exist
already or will be further specified in certain areas; structuring, collecting
and analysing Member States’ compilation sources and methods; developing and
implementing an improvement action plan. The work on the MIP relevant data will
need to be supported by good website publication and dissemination arrangements,
as well as release actions.
The implementation of the draft Regulation with
a view to providing high quality statistics will require close cooperation with
Member States’ statistical authorities covering both the scoreboard data and
the underlying statistical information.
2.           RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS
WITH INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
2.1.        RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS
WITH INTERESTED PARTIES
The need to have statistics of the highest
quality for inclusion in the MIP scoreboard, and to develop a reliable quality
monitoring procedure for this purpose, has been stressed by the ECOFIN Council.
Extensive discussions with Member States on
quality and comparability issues relating to the MIP relevant data have taken
place in the Economic Policy Committee. In particular some areas for
improvements were identified in the 2012 EPC Report on requirements for
structural statistics.
There have been contacts with other
Directorates General, in particular the Economic and Financial affairs DG.
Several improvement actions relating to
underlying statistical information have been undertaken in cooperation with the
European Central Bank and other international organisations.
2.2.        IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
The successful implementation of this
Regulation will mainly require close cooperation from Member States’
statistical authorities with a view to improving the quality of the MIP relevant
data and the underlying statistical information. No additional data collection
mechanisms are foreseen. 
If a robust and legally binding quality
monitoring procedure were not adopted, the quality and comparability of the MIP
relevant data would not be assured, as required by Commission policy. This
could in turn affect the credibility and efficiency of the MIP system. 
3.           LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE
PROPOSAL
This Regulation sets out the rules
governing the way the statistical data that are relevant for the macroeconomic
imbalances procedure are provided. These rules relate to the compilation,
quality monitoring and release of the indicators in the macroeconomic
imbalances procedure scoreboard. The main objective of the Regulation is to
develop a robust quality monitoring procedure in order to ensure the highest
quality of the MIP relevant data.
Article 338 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union provides the legal basis for European
statistics. Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, the
European Parliament and the Council adopt measures for the production of
statistics, where necessary, on how the Union conducts its activities. It sets
out the requirements for European statistics, stating that they must conform to
standards of impartiality, reliability, objectivity, scientific independence,
cost-effectiveness and statistical confidentiality.
The proposal complies with both the
subsidiarity and the proportionality principles.
Concerning the subsidiarity principle, the
objectives of the proposal do not fall within the exclusive competence of the
European Union and at the same time cannot be sufficiently achieved by the
Member States.
The Member States cannot satisfy the
central quality concern to the necessary extent without a clear European
framework, i.e. European legislation laying down a common quality monitoring
procedure for the MIP relevant data. 
The objectives of the proposal can be
better achieved at European Union level on the basis of a European level act,
because only the Commission can develop and apply a harmonised quality
monitoring procedure for the MIP relevant data at European Union level. On the
other hand, successful implementation of this procedure requires close
cooperation with Member States’ statistical authorities covering both the MIP
relevant data and the underlying statistical information. The European Union
may therefore take action to this end in accordance with the principle of
subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty.
Concerning the proportionality principle,
the Regulation confines itself to the minimum required to achieve its objective
and does not go beyond what is necessary for that purpose. It does not specify an
MIP relevant data collection mechanism for each Member State, nor does it duplicate
existing procedures. It merely sets out a quality monitoring system in respect
of the compilation, transmission and release of the scoreboard statistics and
other MIP relevant data. 
The proposed legal instrument is a European
Parliament and Council Regulation. A regulation is preferable because it lays
down the same law throughout the European Union, leaving the Member States with
no leeway to apply it incompletely or selectively. It is directly applicable,
which means that it does not need to be transposed in national law. The use of
a regulation is in line with other European statistical legal acts adopted
since 1997.
4.           BUDGETARY IMPLICATION
In order to assure the high quality
requirements for the MIP-relevant data in line with the Commission standards as
set out in Communication COM(2011) 211 final ‘Towards robust quality management
for European Statistics’, additional resources are needed. This has meant
introducing a staff bid for 21 posts (12 posts and 9 external personnel) to
cover the tasks required of the Commission (Eurostat).
In addition, the Commission will need
assistance from Member States’ experts in the context of the MIP missions
mentioned in this proposal, and would share with Member States the related
costs. This assistance includes national experts’ specific expertise and
experience during missions to other Member States, including for the purpose of
complete transparency of the system. At this stage, it is difficult to indicate
exactly how the costs to the Commission would be financed and to give a precise
estimate of these, in particular because all possible synergies will be sought
with Eurostat missions in related areas.
5.           ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The proposed act does not concern an EEA
matter.
2013/0181 (COD)
Proposal for a
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
AND OF THE COUNCIL
on the provision and quality of statistics
for the macroeconomic imbalances procedure
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
Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative
act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the
European Central Bank,
Acting in accordance with the ordinary
legislative procedure,
Whereas:
(1)       Regulation (EU) No
1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on
the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances[1]
sets up an alert mechanism to facilitate the early identification and the
monitoring of imbalances. Under this mechanism, the Commission is required to
prepare an annual Alert Mechanism Report (AMR) containing a qualitative
economic and financial assessment and identifying Member States that the
Commission considers may be affected by, or may be at risk of being affected
by, imbalances.
(2)       Regulation (EU) No
1174/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on
enforcement measures to correct excessive macroeconomic imbalances in the euro
area[2]
lays down a system of financial sanctions against euro area Member States for
the effective correction of excessive macroeconomic imbalances.
(3)       Reliable statistical data
are the basis for effective surveillance of macroeconomic imbalances. To
guarantee sound and independent statistics, Member States should ensure the
professional independence of national statistical authorities, consistent with
the European statistics code of practice laid down in Regulation (EC) No
223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on
European statistics[3].
(4)       The AMR, which is based on
a scoreboard with a set of indicators the values of which are compared to their
indicative thresholds, is an initial screening device whereby the Commission identifies Member States where it considers that
developments warrant further in-depth analysis to determine whether imbalances exist or risk
emerging. The AMR should include MIP relevant data. It is however in the following in-depth reviews that the driving
forces behind the observed developments are analysed in detail with a view to
determining the nature of the imbalances. The scoreboard and the thresholds are
not interpreted mechanically, but are subject to economic reading. When carrying
out in-depth reviews, the Commission will examine a broad range of economic
variables and additional information taking due account of country specific
circumstances. For these reasons, all the data that may
be used for the purpose of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure cannot be
listed in advance in an exhaustive manner, but should be defined by reference
to the procedures set out in Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 for the detection of
macroeconomic imbalances as well as the prevention and correction of excessive
macroeconomic imbalances within the Union. In
implementing the macroeconomic imbalances procedure, the Commission and the
Council should give preference to statistics which are compiled and
transmitted, by Member States, to the Commission (Eurostat). Other statistics,
which are not compiled and transmitted this way, should only be used when the
former statistics do not provide the required information, and taking due
account of the quality of these other statistics.
(5)       A reliable procedure should
be set up for the compilation, monitoring and release of the data relevant for
the macroeconomic imbalances procedure (hereinafter referred to as “MIP
relevant data”) as well as a continuous improvement of the underlying
statistical information in line with the Commission’s quality management
frameworks for European statistics[4]. The Group
of Directors of Macroeconomic Statistics (DMES), established by the Commission,
is an appropriate expert group to provide the Commission (Eurostat) with the
required assistance for the application of a robust quality monitoring
procedure for the MIP relevant data.
(6)       It is essential that the
statistical production necessary for the performance of the activities of the Union should only be based on reliable data. In the production of MIP relevant data, which
is an essential input for the detection of macroeconomic imbalances as well as
the prevention and correction of excessive macroeconomic imbalances within the
Union, unreliable data can have a significant impact on the interest of the Union. Additional measures to make the enforcement of the production, provision and quality
monitoring of MIP relevant data more effective are necessary for the
performance of the macroeconomic imbalances procedure. Those measures should enhance
the credibility of the underlying statistical information as well as of the
provision and quality monitoring of the MIP relevant data. In order to deter
against misrepresentation, whether intentional or due to serious negligence, of
MIP relevant data, a mechanism of financial sanctions should be established,
which will also serve the purpose of ensuring due diligence in the production
of MIP relevant data.
(7)       To
supplement the rules on calculating the fines for manipulation of statistics as
well as the rules on the procedure to be followed by the Commission for the
investigation of such actions, the power to adopt acts in accordance with
Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union (“the Treaty”)
should be delegated to the Commission in respect of detailed criteria for
establishing the amount of the fine and for conducting the Commission’s
investigations. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out
appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert
level. When preparing and drawing up delegated acts, the Commission should
ensure the simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant
documents to the European Parliament and the Council.
(8)       Close cooperation and on-going
dialogue should be established between the Commission and Member States’ statistical authorities in order to ensure the quality of the MIP relevant data
reported by Member States and the underlying statistical information. 
(9)       Close cooperation between
the European Statistical System and the European System of Central Banks should
be ensured in relation to MIP relevant data, in line with Article 9 of
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009, in order to minimise the reporting burden,
guarantee coherence, improve the underlying statistics and ensure
comparability.
(10)     In order to ensure uniform
conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers
should be conferred on the Commission and exercised in accordance with
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16
February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning
mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of
implementing powers[5].
(11)     Since the objective of this
Regulation, namely to set up a reliable common procedure for the provision and
quality monitoring of MIP relevant data as well as a continuous improvement of
the underlying statistical information, cannot be achieved sufficiently 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 the 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.
(12)     Eurostat, as the
statistical authority of the Union, should carry out the statistical tasks
devolved to the Commission under this Regulation. These tasks should be
performed by Eurostat in conformity with the statistical principles laid down
in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 and in accordance with Commission Decision
2012/504/EU of 17 September 2012 on Eurostat[6],
HAVE ADOPTED
THIS REGULATION:
CHAPTER I
SUBJECT MATTER
Article 1
1.         This Regulation lays down the
rules on the provision and quality monitoring of statistical data which are
compiled or transmitted for the purpose of the procedures for the detection of macroeconomic
imbalances as well as the prevention and correction of excessive macroeconomic
imbalances within the Union established under Articles 3 to 11 of Regulation
(EU) No 1176/2011 (hereinafter referred to as the MIP relevant data).
2.         This Regulation shall apply to
the MIP relevant data compiled and transmitted by Member States, irrespective
of whether the Council or the Commission consider that an imbalance exists and
whether an excessive imbalance has been established by the Council pursuant to Article
7 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011. This Regulation shall apply also to the
Member States for which the macroeconomic imbalances procedure has been
suspended in accordance with Article xxxx of Regulation xxxx (reference will be
made to the 2-Pack Regulation when it is adopted).
CHAPTER II
TRANSMISSION OF DATA TO THE COMMISSION
Article 2
1.         The MIP relevant data to be
transmitted by the Member States shall cover the preceding year (n-1) and the
previous nine years (n-2 to n-10).
2.         The deadlines for the
transmission of the MIP relevant data shall be those laid down pursuant to the
relevant basic acts or shall be communicated by the Commission in specific
calendars taking into account the needs of the Union. 
3.         The Commission shall indicate to
the Member States, each year, the timetable of the annual Alert Mechanism
Report established by Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011. Based on this
timetable and on the deadlines and calendars referred to in paragraph 2, the
Commission shall also decide on and communicate, to the Member States, a
cut-off date for their transmission of all the most up-to-date MIP relevant
data.
CHAPTER III
QUALITY REPORTS
Article 3
1.         When transmitting the MIP
relevant data referred to in Article 1, Member States shall send, to the
Commission (Eurostat), information showing how these data are calculated, including
any changes in the sources and methods, in the form of a quality report.
2.         The quality criteria referred to
in Article 12(1) of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 shall apply to the data to be
transmitted.
3.         The Commission shall adopt
implementing acts with a view to defining the modalities, structure and
periodicity of the quality reports. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in
accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 14(2).
Article
4
In the event of doubt regarding the correct
implementation of the rules governing the compilation and transmission of the
MIP relevant data, the Member State concerned shall request clarification from
the Commission (Eurostat). The Commission shall promptly examine the issue and
communicate its clarification to the Member State concerned, to the relevant
expert group on macroeconomic statistics established by the Commission, to all
other Member States and to the public. 
CHAPTER IV
QUALITY ASSESSMENT
Article 5
1.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall
regularly assess the quality of the MIP relevant data. The assessments shall
focus mainly on areas specified in the inventories referred to in Article 6,
where applicable, and the quality reports of Member States. The quality
assessments shall be carried out in conformity with the statistical principles
laid down in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009. The quality assessments shall, as
appropriate, make full use of the work carried out, and the results obtained,
in the context of existing quality frameworks for MIP relevant data.
2.         Member States shall provide the
Commission (Eurostat), as promptly as possible, with the data and information
requested for the purposes of the data quality assessment, without prejudice to
the provisions relating to statistical confidentiality of Regulation (EC) No
223/2009.
3.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall assess
Member States’ MIP relevant data each year with the assistance of the relevant
expert group on macroeconomic statistics.
4.         This assessment shall be carried
out in accordance with the quality criteria referred to in Article 3(2). The
following elements in particular shall be considered in the assessment:
(a)        the MIP relevant data
transmitted by Member States;
(b)        the
quality reports and the inventories referred to in Article 6;
(c)        reports arising from
missions to and discussions with Member States in relation to the MIP relevant
data.
CHAPTER V
INVENTORIES OF SOURCES AND METHODS USED TO COMPILE MIP
RELEVANT DATA 
Article 6
1.         Member States shall transmit to
the Commission (Eurostat) a complete and up-to-date description of the sources
and methods (hereinafter referred to as ‘the inventories’) used to compile their
MIP relevant data.
2.         Member States shall establish the
inventories and send them to the Commission (Eurostat) at the latest on […][nine
months after the adoption of this Regulation– exact date to be inserted by OP
upon publication]. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts with a view
to defining the structure and the modalities for the updating of these inventories
by […][within six months after the adoption of this Regulation– exact date
to be inserted by OP upon publication]. Those implementing acts shall be
adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article
14(2).
3.         Member States shall make their
inventories public.
CHAPTER VI
MISSIONS TO MEMBER STATES
Article 7
1.         Where the Commission (Eurostat) identifies
problems, in particular in the context of the quality assessment under Article
5, it may decide to carry out missions to the Member State concerned.
2.         The aim of such missions shall
be to investigate in depth the quality of the MIP relevant data concerned. The
missions shall concentrate on methodological issues, the sources and methods
described in the inventories, the data and supporting statistical processes with
a view to assessing their compliance with the relevant accounting and
statistical rules.
3.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall
report to the Economic Policy Committee set up by Council Decision 74/122/EEC[7] on the findings of these
missions, including any comments on these findings made by the Member State concerned. After having been transmitted to the Economic Policy Committee, these
reports, along with any comments made by the Member State concerned, shall be
made public, without prejudice to the provisions concerning statistical
confidentiality in Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.
4.         Member States shall, at the
request of the Commission (Eurostat), provide the assistance from experts on statistical
issues related to the macroeconomic imbalances procedure, including for the
preparation and carrying-out of the missions. In the exercise of their duties,
these experts shall provide independent expertise. A list of those experts
shall be constituted by (date to be fixed) on the basis of proposals
sent to the Commission (Eurostat) by the national authorities responsible for
the MIP relevant data.
5.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall
lay down the rules and procedures related to the selection of the experts,
taking into account an appropriate distribution of experts across Member States
and an appropriate rotation of experts between Member States, their working
arrangements and the financial details. The Commission (Eurostat) shall share
with the Member States the full cost incurred by the Member States for the
assistance from their national experts.
6.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall
ensure that officials and experts participating in these missions meet every
guarantee as regards technical competence, professional independence and
observance of confidentiality.
CHAPTER VII
PROVISION OF DATA BY THE COMMISSION (EUROSTAT)
Article 8
1.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall provide
the MIP relevant data used for the purposes of the macroeconomic imbalances
procedure including by means of news releases and/or other channels as it
considers appropriate. 
2.         The Commission (Eurostat) shall
not delay the provision of the MIP relevant data of Member States where a Member State has not transmitted its own data.
3.         The Commission (Eurostat) may
express a reservation on the quality of a Member State's MIP relevant data. No
later than three working days before the planned publication date, the
Commission (Eurostat) shall communicate to the Member State concerned and to
the President of the Economic Policy Committee the reservation it intends to
express and make public. Where the issue is resolved after publication of the
data and the reservation, withdrawal of the reservation shall be made public
immediately thereafter.
4.         The Commission (Eurostat) may
amend data transmitted by Member States and provide the amended data and a
justification of the amendment where there is evidence that the data reported
by Member States do not comply with the requirements of Article 3(2). No later
than three working days before the planned publication date, the Commission
(Eurostat) shall communicate to the Member State concerned and to the President
of the Economic Policy Committee the amended data and the justification for the
amendment.
CHAPTER VIII
SANCTIONS CONCERNING THE MANIPULATION OF STATISTICS
Article 9
1.         The Council, acting on a proposal
by the Commission, may decide to impose a fine on a Member State that intentionally or by serious negligence misrepresents the MIP relevant data. 
2.         The fine referred to in paragraph 1
shall be effective, dissuasive and proportionate to the nature, seriousness and
duration of the misrepresentation. The amount of the fine shall not exceed 0.05%
of the GDP of the Member State concerned.
3.         The Commission may conduct all
investigations necessary to establish the existence of the misrepresentations
referred to in paragraph 1. It may decide to initiate an investigation when it
finds that there are serious indications of the existence of facts liable to
constitute such a misrepresentation. In investigating the putative
misrepresentations, the Commission shall take into account any comments
submitted by the Member State concerned. In order to carry out its tasks, the
Commission may request the Member State to provide information, and may conduct
on-site inspections and access the underlying statistical information and
documents related to the MIP relevant data. If the law of the Member State concerned requires prior judicial authorisation for on-site inspections, the
Commission shall make the necessary applications.
Upon completion of its investigation, and
before submitting any proposal to the Council, the Commission shall give the Member State concerned the opportunity of being heard in relation to the matters under
investigation. The Commission shall base any proposal to the Council only on
facts on which the Member State concerned has had the opportunity to comment.
The Commission shall fully respect the rights
of defence of the Member State concerned during the investigations.
4.         The Commission shall be empowered
to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 12 concerning:
(a)        detailed criteria establishing the
amount of the fine referred to in paragraph 1;
(b)        detailed rules concerning the
procedures for the investigations referred to in paragraph 3, the associated
measures and the reporting on the investigations;
(c)        detailed rules of procedure aimed
at guaranteeing the rights of the defence, access to the file, legal
representation, confidentiality and provisions as to timing and the collection
of the fines referred to in paragraph 1.
5.         The Court of Justice of the
European Union shall have unlimited jurisdiction to review the decisions of the
Council imposing fines under paragraph 1. It may annul, reduce or increase the
fine so imposed. 
CHAPTER IX
NATURE AND BUDGET DISTRIBUTION OF THE SANCTIONS 
Article 10
The sanctions imposed pursuant to Article 11
shall be of an administrative nature.
Article
11
The fines collected in accordance with Article
9shall constitute other revenue, as referred to in Article 311 of the Treaty,
and shall be assigned to the Union budget. 
CHAPTER X
EXERCISE OF THE DELEGATION
Article 12
1.         The power to adopt delegated acts
is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this
Article.
2.         The power to adopt delegated acts
referred to in Article 9(4) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period
of three years starting after one month following the adoption 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 that 3-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.
3.         The delegation of power referred to
in Article 9(4) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the
Council. A decision to revoke 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.
4.         As soon as it adopts a delegated
act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament
and to the Council.
5.         A delegated act adopted pursuant to
Article 9(4) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed
either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two 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 of the
Council.
CHAPTER XI
VOTE ON THE SANCTIONS
Article 13
For the measures referred to in Article 9 the
Council shall act without taking into account the vote of the member of the
Council representing the Member State concerned.
CHAPTER XII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 14
1.         The Commission shall be assisted
by the European Statistical System Committee established by Regulation (EC) No
223/2009. The Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of the
Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
2.         Where reference is made to this
paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Article
15
In line with Article 5 of Regulation (EC)
No 223/2009, the national statistical institutes of the Member States (the NSI)
shall ensure the required coordination on the MIP relevant data at national
level. All other national authorities shall report to the NSI for this purpose.
The Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure the application
of this provision. 
Article
16
1.         Member States shall ensure that
the MIP relevant data compiled and transmitted to the Commission (Eurostat) are
provided in accordance with the principles established by Article 2 of
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.
2.         Member States shall take
appropriate measures to ensure that institutions and officials responsible for
the compilation and transmission of the MIP relevant data to the Commission
(Eurostat) are accountable and act in accordance with the principles
established by Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.
Article
17
The Commission (Eurostat) shall report
regularly to the European Parliament and to the Council on the activities
carried out by the Commission (Eurostat) for the purpose of implementing this
Regulation.
Article
18
1.         By 14 December 2014 and every
five years thereafter, the Commission shall review the application of this
Regulation and report its findings to the European Parliament and the Council.
2.         The review shall, among other things,
evaluate:
(a)        the progress in ensuring the
quality of MIP relevant data;
(b)        the effectiveness of this
Regulation and the applied monitoring process.
Where appropriate, the review shall be
accompanied by a proposal for amendments to this Regulation.
Article
19
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, 
For the
European Parliament                       For the Council
The President                                                 The
President
LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1.           FRAMEWORK OF THE
PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE 
1.1.        Title of the proposal/initiative
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the
Council on the provision and quality of statistics for the macroeconomic
imbalances procedure
1.2.        Policy area(s) concerned
in the ABM/ABB structure[8] 
Statistics (3403 - Production of statistical information, 3480 - Administrative
support for Eurostat, 3481 Policy strategy and coordination for Eurostat)
1.3.        Nature of the
proposal/initiative 
þ The proposal/initiative relates to a new action 
1.4.        Objectives
1.4.1.     The Commission’s
multiannual strategic objective(s) targeted by the proposal/initiative 
Strengthened and integrated economic governance in the EU based on
the 2011 Six Pack
1.4.2.     Specific objective(s) and
ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned 
Specific objective No.1: Provide
statistical information to support the development, monitoring and evaluation
of Union policies with specific regard to the Macroeconomic Imbalances
Procedure (MIP) and its scoreboard of indicators based on Regulation 1176/2011,
which sets out rules for the early detection, prevention and correction of
macroeconomic imbalances which emerge or persist in the euro area and the EU.
ABM/ABB activity(ies) concerned
3403 - Production of statistical information
1.4.3  Expected result(s) and impact
Specify the effects
which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted.
The Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure (MIP) and its scoreboard
statistics are based on Regulation 1176/2011, which sets out rules for early
detection, prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances which emerge
or persist in the euro area and the EU.
For the MIP to be effective, it is necessary to ensure efficient
statistical monitoring of the MIP relevant data. The Council has underlined the
importance for the credibility of the MIP of having timely statistics of the
highest quality for inclusion in the scoreboard and invited the Commission
(Eurostat) to take all necessary initiatives to assure a reliable procedure for
the compilation of these statistics as well as a continuous improvement of the
underlying statistical information.
Eurostat will therefore develop a robust statistical monitoring
system for the MIP based on a Regulation. The results should ensure a solid
statistical basis for the MIP related decisions, in the form of high quality
indicators meeting the quality standards set by the Commission. 
1.4.4  Indicators of results and impact
Specify the
indicators for monitoring implementation of the proposal/initiative.
Eurostat will assess Member States’ data, in cooperation with a
group of high level national experts in macroeconomic statistics, to ensure
that, for each Member State, the weaknesses detected are properly addressed and
the improvement actions identified are implemented. Each year, the results of this
work will be discussed in the Economic Policy Committee, and will be presented
in the Commission’s Alert Mechanism Report in the context of the European
Semester. Also, there will be regular reporting to the European Parliament and
the Council.
1.5.        Grounds for the
proposal/initiative 
1.5.1.     Requirement(s) to be met in
the short or long term 
The need to have statistics of the highest quality for inclusion in
the MIP scoreboard and to develop a reliable quality monitoring procedure for
this purpose has been emphasised by the Council.
Extensive discussions with Member States on quality and
comparability issues relating to the MIP relevant data have taken place in the
context of the Economic Policy Committee. In particular some areas for
improvements were identified in the 2012 EPC Report on requirements for
structural statistics. A robust quality framework needs to be set up in order
to provide quality assurance for these data.
1.5.2.     Added value of EU involvement
EU involvement is necessary to develop and implement a harmonised
quality monitoring procedure for the MIP relevant data at European level. This
will draw on experience and best practices from all Member States and will
facilitate the sharing of such experience and practices.
1.5.3.     Lessons learned from
similar experiences in the past
The quality monitoring framework envisaged in this Proposal draws
extensively on similar procedures that have been developed and applied for many
years by Eurostat in the areas of statistics for EU own resource and for the
excessive deficit procedure respectively. In this regard, very significant
improvements have been achieved in these two areas. 
1.5.4.     Coherence and possible
synergy with other relevant instruments
The specific quality monitoring framework envisaged in this Proposal
will be introduced in the relevant areas where no such procedure exists. Extra
resources are needed for implementing and maintaining this enhanced quality
monitoring system. Without these extra resources, it will not be possible to
achieve the required quality level. Naturally, in evaluating the extra resources
needed utmost care has been taken to avoid any duplications, and all synergies
will be sought systematically with similar existing quality frameworks, e.g. in
the areas of gross national income and excessive deficit procedure statistics.
1.6.        Duration and financial
impact 
þ Proposal/initiative of unlimited
duration
1.7.        Management mode(s) envisaged[9] 
þ Centralised direct management by the Commission
2.           MANAGEMENT MEASURES 
2.1.        Monitoring and reporting
rules 
Specify frequency
and conditions.
Each year, the results of this work will be discussed in the
Economic Policy Committee, and will be presented in the Commission’s Alert
Mechanism Report in the context of the European Semester. Also, by 14 December 2014
and every five years thereafter, the Commission will publish a report to the
European Parliament and the Council on how the Regulation is being applied.
2.2.        Management and control
system 
2.2.1.     Risk(s) identified 
2.2.2.     Control method(s) envisaged

2.3.        Measures to prevent fraud
and irregularities 
Specify existing or
envisaged prevention and protection measures.
3.           ESTIMATED FINANCIAL
IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE 
3.1.        Heading(s) of the
multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) affected 
·      Existing expenditure budget lines 
In order of
multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines.
 Heading of multiannual financial framework || Budget line || Type of expenditure || Contribution 
 Number [Description………………………...……….] || Diff./non-diff. ([10]) || from EFTA[11] countries || from candidate countries[12] || from third countries || within the meaning of Article 18(1)(aa) of the Financial Regulation 
 1 || 29.010405 (Union Statistical Programme 2008 to 2012 — Expenditure on administrative management) || Diff. || YES || NO || NO || YES/NO 
 1 || 29.010401 (Support expenditure for the European statistical programme) || Diff. || YES || NO || NO || YES/NO 
·      New budget lines requested 
In order of multiannual financial framework
headings and budget lines.
 Heading of multiannual financial framework || Budget line || Type of expenditure || Contribution 
 Number [Heading……………………………………..] || Diff./non-diff. || from EFTA countries || from candidate countries || from third countries || within the meaning of Article 18(1)(aa) of the Financial Regulation 
   || [XX.YY.YY.YY]   || Diff || YES || NO || NO || YES/NO 
3.2.        Estimated impact on expenditure

3.2.1.     Summary of estimated impact
on expenditure 
EUR million (to 3 decimal places)
 Heading of multiannual financial framework: || Number || 2013 inclusive: Heading 1A - Competitiveness for growth and employment From 2014: Heading 1 - Smart and inclusive Growth (other...) 
 DG: ESTAT ||   ||   || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 and later || … enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) || TOTAL 
  Operational appropriations ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Number of budget line || Commitments || (1) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Payments || (2) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Number of budget line || Commitments || (1a) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Payments || (2a) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Appropriations of an administrative nature financed  from the envelope for specific programmes[13] ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Number of budget line || 29.010405   || (3) || 0.210 ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   || 0.840 
 29.010401 ||   || 0.210 || 0.210 || 0.210 ||   ||   ||   
 TOTAL appropriations for DG ESTAT || Commitments || =1+1a +3 || 0.210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 ||   ||   ||   || 0.840 
 Payments || =2+2a +3 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 ||   ||   ||   || 0. 840 
  TOTAL operational appropriations || Commitments || (4) || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||   ||   ||   || 0 
 Payments || (5) || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||   ||   ||   || 0 
  TOTAL appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope for specific programmes || (6) || 0.210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 ||   ||   ||   || 0. 840 
 TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 1A and 1 of the multiannual financial framework || Commitments || =4+ 6 || 0.210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 ||   ||   ||   || 0. 840 
 Payments || =5+ 6 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 || 0. 210 ||   ||   ||   || 0. 840 
If more than one heading is affected by
the proposal / initiative:
  TOTAL operational appropriations || Commitments || (4) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Payments || (5) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
  TOTAL appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope for specific programmes || (6) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 TOTAL appropriations under HEADINGS 1 to 4 of the multiannual financial framework (Reference amount) || Commitments || =4+ 6 ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Payments || =5+ 6 ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Heading of multiannual financial framework: || 5 || “ Administrative expenditure “ 
EUR million (to 3 decimal places)
   ||   ||   || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 and later || … enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) || TOTAL 
 DG: ESTAT || 
  Human resources || 2.016 || 2.016 || 2.016 || 2.016 ||   ||   ||   || 8.064 
  Other administrative expenditure || 0.221 || 0.221 || 0.221 || 0.221 ||   ||   ||   || 0.884 
 TOTAL DG ESTAT || Appropriations || 2.237 || 2.237 || 2.237 || 2.237 ||   ||   ||   || 8.948 
 TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 5 of the multiannual financial framework || (Total commitments = Total payments) || 2.237 || 2.237 || 2.237 || 2.237 ||   ||   ||   || 8.948 
EUR million (to 3 decimal places)
   ||   ||   || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 and later || … enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) || TOTAL 
 TOTAL appropriations under HEADINGS 1 to 5 of the multiannual financial framework || Commitments || 2.447 || 2.447 || 2.447 || 2.447 ||   ||   ||   || 9.788 
 Payments || 2.447 || 2.447 || 2.447 || 2.447 ||   ||   ||   || 9.788 
3.2.2.     Estimated impact on
operational appropriations 
–     
þ  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of operational
appropriations 
–     
¨  The proposal/initiative requires the use of operational
appropriations, as explained below:
Commitment appropriations in EUR million
(to 3 decimal places)
 Indicate objectives and outputs   ò ||   ||   || Year N || Year N+1 || Year N+2 || Year N+3 || … enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) || TOTAL 
 OUTPUTS 
 Type of output[14] || Average cost of the output || Number of outputs || Cost || Number of outputs || Cost || Number of outputs || Cost || Number of outputs || Cost || Number of outputs || Cost || Number of outputs || Cost || Number of outputs || Cost || Total number of outputs || Total cost 
 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 1[15]… ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 - Output ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 - Output ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 - Output ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Sub-total for specific objective N°1 ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 2… ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 - Output ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Sub-total for specific objective N°2 ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 TOTAL COST ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
3.2.3.     Estimated impact on
appropriations of an administrative nature
3.2.3.1.  Summary 
–     
¨  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of administrative
appropriations 
–     
þ  The proposal/initiative requires the use of administrative
appropriations, as explained below:
EUR million (to 3 decimal places)
   || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 and later || … enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) || TOTAL 
 HEADING 5 of the multiannual financial framework ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Human resources || 2.016 || 2.016 || 2.016 || 2.016 ||   ||   ||   || 8.064 
 Other administrative expenditure – Missions (29 01 02 11 01) ||   0.081 ||   0.081 ||   0.081 ||   0.081 ||   ||   ||   ||   0.324 
 Other administrative expenditure – Meetings & Conferences (29 01 02 11 02) || 0.140 || 0.140 || 0.140 || 0.140 ||   ||   ||   || 0.560 
 Other administrative expenditure - Total || 0.221 || 0.221 || 0.221 || 0.221 ||   ||   ||   || 0.884 
 Subtotal HEADING 5 of the multiannual financial framework || 2.237 || 2.237 || 2.237 || 2.237 ||   ||   ||   || 8.948 
 Outside HEADING 5[16] of the multiannual financial framework ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Human resources || 0.210 || 0.210 || 0.210 || 0.210 ||   ||   ||   || 0.840 
 Other expenditure of an administrative nature ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Subtotal outside HEADING 5 of the multiannual financial framework || 0.210 || 0.210 || 0.210 || 0.210 ||   ||   ||   || 0.840 
 TOTAL || 2.447 || 2.447 || 2.447 || 2.447 ||   ||   ||   || 9.788 
3.2.3.2.   Estimated requirements of
human resources 
–     
¨  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human
resources 
–     
þ  The proposal/initiative requires the use of human resources, as
explained below:
Estimate to be expressed in full time
equivalent units
   || 2013 || 2014 || 2015 || 2016 and later 
  Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary agents) 
 29 01 01 01 (Headquarters and Commission’s Representation Offices) || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12 
 XX 01 01 02 (Delegations) ||   ||   ||   ||   
 XX 01 05 01 (Indirect research) ||   ||   ||   ||   
 10 01 05 01 (Direct research) ||   ||   ||   ||   
  External personnel (in Full Time Equivalent unit: FTE)[17] 
 29 01 02 01 (CA, INT, SNE from the “global envelope”) || 6 || 6 || 6 || 6 
 XX 01 02 02 (CA, INT, JED, LA and SNE in the delegations) ||   ||   ||   ||   
 29 01 04 05 [18] || - at Headquarters[19] || 3 ||   ||   ||   
 - in delegations ||   ||   ||   ||   
 29 01 04 01 [20] || - at Headquarters[21] ||   || 3 || 3 || 3 
 - in delegations ||   ||   ||   ||   
 XX 01 05 02 (CA, INT, SNE - Indirect research) ||   ||   ||   ||   
 10 01 05 02 (CA, INT, SNE - Direct research) ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Other budget lines (specify) ||   ||   ||   ||   
 TOTAL || 21 || 21 || 21 || 21 
XX is the
policy area or budget title concerned.
The human resources required
will be met by staff from the DG who are already assigned to management of the action
and/or have been redeployed within the DG, together if necessary with any
additional allocation which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual
allocation procedure and in the light of budgetary constraints.
Description of tasks to be carried out:
 Officials and temporary agents || The Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure (MIP) and its scoreboard of indicators are based on Regulation 1176/2011, which sets out rules for the early detection, prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances which emerge or persist in the euro area and the EU. For the MIP to be effective, it is necessary to ensure efficient statistical monitoring of the MIP relevant data. The Council of 8 November 2011 and of 13 November 2012 underlined the importance for the credibility of the MIP of having timely statistics of the highest quality for inclusion in the scoreboard and invited the Commission (Eurostat) to take all necessary initiatives to assure a reliable procedure for the compilation of these statistics as well as a continuous improvement of the underlying statistical information. Eurostat will therefore develop a robust statistical monitoring system for the MIP based on a Regulation. This will cover mainly the compilation and transmission of data and metadata by Member States; monitoring of data quality by Eurostat; and reporting/communication to the different stakeholders and to the European Parliament and the Council. The Regulation will introduce new tasks for the Commission on the following main aspects: validating the quality of the MIP relevant data in relation to quality criteria that already exist or are to be defined/specified in certain areas (e.g. data of balance of payments statistics and net international investment position, nominal unit labour cost, deflated house prices, private sector credit flow and private sector debt, unemployment, total financial sector liabilities) including regular and more in-depth visits to countries; structuring, collecting and analysing Member States’ compilation sources and methods; developing and implementing an improvement action plan; regular reporting to the Economic Policy Committee on the results of this exercise. 
 External personnel || Support the officials and temporary agents in performing the above-mentioned tasks. 
3.2.4.     Compatibility with the
current multiannual financial framework 
–     
þ  Proposal/initiative is compatible the current multiannual
financial framework.
–     
¨  Proposal/initiative will entail reprogramming of the relevant
heading in the multiannual financial framework.
Explain what reprogramming is required,
specifying the budget lines concerned and the corresponding amounts.
–     
¨  Proposal/initiative requires application of the flexibility
instrument or revision of the multiannual financial framework[22].
Explain what is required, specifying the
headings and budget lines concerned and the corresponding amounts.
3.2.5.     Third-party contributions 
–     
þ The proposal/initiative does not provide for co-financing by third
parties 
–     
The proposal/initiative provides for the
co-financing estimated below:
Appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal
places)
   || Year N || Year N+1 || Year N+2 || Year N+3 || … enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) || Total 
 Specify the co-financing body ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 TOTAL appropriations cofinanced ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
3.3.        Estimated impact on
revenue 
–     
þ  Proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue.
–     
¨  Proposal/initiative has the following financial impact:
¨         on own resources 
¨         on miscellaneous revenue 
EUR million (to 3 decimal places)
 Budget revenue line: || Appropriations available for the ongoing budget year || Impact of the proposal/initiative[23] 
 Year N || Year N+1 || Year N+2 || Year N+3 || … insert as many columns as necessary in order to reflect the duration of the impact (see point 1.6) 
 Article …………. ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
For miscellaneous
assigned revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected.
Specify the method for
calculating the impact on revenue. 
[1]               OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25
[2]               OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 8
[3]               OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164
[4]               COM(2005)217
final and COM(2011)211 final.
[5]               OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13
[6]           OJ L 251, 18.9.2012, p. 49–52.
[7]               OJ L 63, 5.3.1974, p.21
[8]               ABM: Activity-Based Management – ABB: Activity-Based
Budgeting.
[9]               Details of management modes and references to the
Financial Regulation may be found on the BudgWeb site: http://www.cc.cec/budg/man/budgmanag/budgmanag_en.html
[10]             Diff. = Differentiated appropriations / Non-diff. =
Non-Differentiated Appropriations
[11]             EFTA: European Free Trade Association. 
[12]             Candidate countries and, where applicable, potential
candidate countries from the Western Balkans.
[13]             Technical and/or administrative assistance and
expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions
(former "BA" lines), indirect research, direct research.
[14]             Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g.:
number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.).
[15]             As described in Section 1.4.2. "Specific
objective(s)…"
[16]             Technical and/or administrative assistance and
expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions
(former "BA" lines), indirect research, direct research.
[17]             CA= Contract Agent; INT= agency staff ("Intérimaire");
JED= "Jeune Expert en Délégation" (Young Experts in
Delegations); LA= Local Agent; SNE= Seconded National Expert; 
[18]             Under
the ceiling for external personnel from operational
appropriations (former "BA" lines).
[19]             Essentially for Structural Funds, European Agricultural
Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Fisheries Fund (EFF).
[20]             Under
the ceiling for external personnel from operational
appropriations (former "BA" lines).
[21]             Essentially for Structural Funds, European Agricultural
Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Fisheries Fund (EFF).
[22]             See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional
Agreement.
[23]             As regards traditional own resources (customs duties,
sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net amounts, i.e. gross amounts
after deduction of 25% for collection costs.