1. INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL INSTITUTE
Workshop
Leadership in modern Statistical Systems
Fundamental Principles and Codes of Practice by
Ada van Krimpen

2. Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics
Adopted by UN Statistical Commission in April 1994
Two years earlier endorsed by UNECE
2004: Implementation was assessed by UNSC
2011: Discussion in UNSC: need for revision of principles or not
2011 High Level Forum in New York

3. The value of the FP
Provide statistical offices and its heads a tool for achieving/maintaining integrity and independence
Most prominent in:
Independence
Autonomy in defining statistical methods
Autonomy in dissemination of results
Safeguarding statistical confidentiality

4. Weaknesses Apart from strong points: are there weaknesses as well?
Support at the governmental/political level
Enforcement of the FP
Implementation through legislation
Public awareness
Role of the NSO in the national statistical system
What to do with apparent breaches of the FP?

5. Do the FP need to be changed?
Debated in UNSC 2011 and in High Level Seminar
Conclusions:
Do not change the FP:
‘Enshrined in stone’
Political endorsement is most critical (ECOSOC)
Work on ‘good practices’ and preamble.
Questions
In how many countries reflected in statistical law?

6. Codes of Practice
Example of European Statistics Code of Practice (ESCoP)
Reasons for adopting the ESCoP
Implementation
Why it is successful:
Principles + Indicators
Self assessment + peer reviews
Transparency: all published on internet
Positive effects: roles NSOs in public administration; statistical legislation; strengthen role of NSO in national systems

7. Code of Practice (2) Why it may fail:
Information provided by the NSO is essential
Things may work in theory not in practice
Self regulatory tool
If a country has reasons for misleading little will help
How to strengthen the impact of CoP:
Legislation?
Respect

8. What action to undertake in case of a breach with the FP?
Statistical Council
Compare with other countries
Statistical Workprogramme
Interventions by others (ISI?)
More suggestions?

9. ESCOP Principle 1: Professional independence – The professional independence of statistical authorities from other policy, regulatory or administrative departments and bodies, as well as from private sector operators, ensures the credibility of European Statistics
. Indicators – The independence of the statistical authority from political and other external interference in producing and disseminating official statistics is specified in law. – The head of the statistical authority has sufficiently high hierarchical standing to ensure senior level access to policy authorities and administrative public bodies. He/She should be of the highest professional calibre. – The head of the statistical authority and, where appropriate, the heads of its statistical bodies have responsibility for ensuring that European Statistics are produced and disseminated in an independent manner. – The head of the statistical authority and, where appropriate, the heads of its statistical bodies have the sole responsibility for deciding on statistical methods, standards and procedures, and on the content and timing of statistical releases. – The statistical work programmes are published and periodic reports describe progress made. – Statistical releases are clearly distinguished and issued separately from political/policy statements. – The statistical authority, when appropriate, comments publicly on statistical issues, including criticisms and misuses of official statistics

10. Links Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics:
High Level Forum in NY on the Fundamental Principles:
Handbook of Statistical Organization:
European Statistics Code of Practice: