1 Experience in measuring the burden on businesses Peter Bekx Director, Business Statistics IAOS Conference Shanghai, October 2008
2 Burden reduction is top priority Lisbon Strategy For many years in statistics Burden assessment before new statistics are introduced Burden measurement of complete statistical production before 2012 Need for a common methodology
3 Methodology Re the measurement of response burden: TF examined the EU Standard Cost Model and considered it as fit for use; a number of MS are using it already Re the measurement of cost: NSIs have developed their own accounting systems which are suitable to deliver information on costs for the production of statistics serving their national needs. These accounting systems differ considerably Re the measurement of benefits: 3 pilot tests were carried out on the basis of a harmonised approach with varying results
4 Burden reduction Review of priorities Use of administrative data Use of accounting data Data warehouse EU role
5 Prioritisation Collect less information Reduce number of variables Reduce frequency Identify areas of lesser importance
6 Use of administrative data Use existing data collected for other purposes Need to ensure quality Concessions on format, detail, timeliness Conditions: high-level political support based on appropriate legal framework
7 Use of accounting data Harmonisation of accounting standards Development of XBRL Projects in different Member States
8 Data warehouse approach Integration of data from different sources Eliminate methodological differences Harmonise classifications Link databases Long-term goal: single database
9 EU role Eurogroups register Data at EU aggregate level CETO flags EU sampling
10 Conclusions Measurement exercises provide valuable input and examples of best practices Real burden versus perceived burden needs to be addressed Efforts to reduce burden will be continued: without compromising quality via improved efficiency ESTAT will continue aiming at improved priority setting