1. E-mail: karl@schoer.net
Issue list for the compilation of the SEEA-MFA manual Points for discussion Eurostat MFA taskforce meeting Luxemburg 6-7 March 2008
Karl Schoer

2. Overview Background - General structure of the manual
- The system of PSUT and IOT tables
- General standard classifications
- General supply and use tables
Main issues for discussion regarding EW-MFA
- Supply and use of material by material categories
- Supply and use of products (exports and imports) by type
of product
- Use of natural resources and ecosystem inputs by type
- Supply and use of residuals by type

5. Standard SEEA-MFA classifications for products and industries
- Basis: The CPC will be used for products and the ISIC for industries.
- A specific environment related standard breakdown should be defined
for both classifications. For that purpose the 1-digit, 2-digit or 3-digit level
should be used selectively in order to show the most environmentally relevant
products or industries separately.
The general standard breakdown will serve as a frame for integrating all
sub-modules of the material flow accounts and the monetary reference figures.
- Additionally it is proposed to develop more specific disaggregations for
the individual sub-modules.
- Standard breakdown will necessarily be a compromise between the
requirements of different environmental themes as well as data availability
- Harmonization with the specific physical flow accounts
modules on energy and water.

10. EW-MFA: classification for imported and exported products
In principal the general standard SEEA-MFA classification for products
applies also for imports and exports. But for the purpose of the EW-MFA a
specific aggregation was developed in order to compare the import and export
flows with the domestic extraction of natural resources.
As the EW-MFA – after being harmonised with the general material flow
accounts – will play a rather central role for the system as it comprises
all flows related to the exchange between the economy and the environment
whereas the other sub-modules are rather confined to specific materials or
activities, a harmonization of the specific EW-MFA product classification
with the proposed standard classification of products appears to be
necessary and should be considered. That may call for more disaggregation
of the EW-MF classification in order to allow for segueing from the EW-MFA
breakdown to the SEEA-MFA standard breakdown.

12. General standard classification for natural resource flows
London Group Rome 2007:
The LG recommended to use to use the already existing classification of the
SEEA 2003 and the classification developed for the EW-MFA of Eurostat as
a starting point. The higher degree of detail of the EW-MFA classification
should be used. However in the LG meeting the question was raised
whether the item the cultivated aquatic resources which
appears not in the EW-MFA classification should be addressed.
To be elaborated by UN consultant in cooperation with the specific
LG sub-group. Discussion in the March Eurostat MFA TF