Euro-indicators Working Group Luxembourg, 4th & 5th December 2008 Eurostat – Unit D1 Key indicators for the European policies

Implementation of ESS guidelines on seasonal adjustment Item 6.1 of the Agenda Implementation of ESS guidelines on seasonal adjustment By Gian Luigi Mazzi Doc 238/08 Eurostat – Unit D1 Key indicators for the European policies

Introduction ESS guidelines endorsed in 2008 by CMFB and SPC Eurostat leads the implementation strategy No legal status for guidelines defined, but … only a practical implementation recommended A soft approach and a promotion activity undertaken CMFB and SPC required a regular monitoring First report in January 2009 Eurostat – Unit D1 Key indicators for the European policies

Actions undertaken in 2008 Archive of existing SA practices completed earlier 2008 Guidelines presented at - the STS working group - workshop on LCI Proposal for amendment of the Eurostat recommendations on TD and SA for short term statistics QNA implementation report in January 2009 Unemployment and external trade under responsibility of Eurostat. No need to correspond to the WG Heterogeneous composition of WG audience affects level of discussion and feedback to guidelines’ presentation Promotion of guidelines through training courses as well Presentations at International Conferences and Seminars Eurostat – Unit D1 Key indicators for the European policies

Actions foreseen for 2009 To reinforce the coordination role of the steering group To reconvene the informal WG on seasonal adjustment To define implementation plans inside WGs of each Eurostat production unit To create domain-specific task forces on particular issues To promote the metadata template annexed to the guidelines Very useful to: - exchange information on SA practices - monitor the implementation - identify problematic sectors/Countries To define specific actions addressing relevant deviations from guidelines Eurostat – Unit D1 Key indicators for the European policies

Conclusions Implementation of SA guidelines is very challenging Very complex exercise It requires time and a clear definition of roles and objectives The WG is invited to: Express its view on actions: - undertaken in 2008 - foreseen for 2009 Suggest improvements to the proposed actions Communicate Country specific needs Inform Eurostat on all national promotional initiatives Eurostat – Unit D1 Key indicators for the European policies