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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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