1. 4th RDG meeting Luxembourg 15-16.12.2015
Second round of ESS Peer reviews
4th RDG meeting Luxembourg

2. All country reports and improvement action plans available at:
State of play
All country reports and improvement action plans available at:
Last meeting of the ESS Task Force Peer Reviews 11 November 2015
Reports to:
the European Parliament and the Council
the ESSC
The aim of this second round of peer reviews differed from the first in that it was presumed much progress had been made since the first peer reviews in , and that therefore the peer reviewers would focus on areas where compliance had not yet been achieved or where it was incomplete. Following this approach the exercise resulted in 707 recommendations. 65 of these concern achieving compliance with the Code, and 642 call for improving or enhancing compliance. All in all 39 divergent views were presented by the NSIs/Eurostat.
It emerged from the peer review reports that the on the whole the level of compliance is high, but that some challenges remain in achieving compliance and that concrete, practical implementation could be enhanced in many instances.
The three main areas where compliance is lacking or needs to enhanced are governance and legal aspects; impartiality and dissemination; and quality. With regard to governance lack of statutory provisions concerning the appointment and dismissal of the heads of statistical authorities was highlighted in particular. For the other two areas the picture was more varied.
This being said, the reports also highlights the achievements of the ESS, and concludes that on the whole the ESS is underscored by a strong legal structure, and enjoys a high level of trust. Other strengths that are highlighted are the highly trained, motivated and dedicated staff, and progress made in quality and methodology, burden reduction and impartiality.

3. 707 recommendations - 65 on achieving and 642 on improving compliance
Commission report on the implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice and coordination within the European Statistical System
707 recommendations - 65 on achieving and 642 on improving compliance
39 divergent views
compliance high - but some challenges in achieving compliance and implementation should be improved
Three main areas for further work:
governance and legal aspects
impartiality and dissemination
quality

4. Strengths of the ESS
On the whole underpinned by a strong legal structure, and inspires a high level of trust
Highly trained, motivated and dedicated staff
Advances made in:
quality and methodology
burden reduction
impartiality.

5. Resources Adequacy of human and financial resources a major issues
Lack of resources poses a serious risk for the future of the ESS
Message:
Securing adequate resources and having flexibility in their use is of the utmost importance for safeguarding the quality of European statistics.

6. Report on cooperation and integration within the ESS
An overview of self-assessment questionnaires and peer reviewers' findings
Structured around:
Strategy
Design
Process chain management
Process chain implementation
Conclusion:
Further integration in the production of European statistics would be necessary to better respond to the many challenges facing the ESS and its members

7. Exercise smooth overall An opportunity for self-reflection
Lessons learnt
Exercise smooth overall
An opportunity for self-reflection
Driver for change and improvements
BUT
Demanding – resources and time
SAQ too long, too many documents ….
 Cost-efficiency: Does the outcome justify the investment – in resources, effort and time?

8. Lessons learnt workshop 16/03/2015 in Brussels
Next steps
Lessons learnt workshop 16/03/2015 in Brussels
National coordinators
ESS Task Force Peer Reviews
Peer review team chairs
Contractor
Eurostat
conclusions on the exercise and recommendations for potential CoP monitoring exercises
Session on peer reviews at the 2016 Quality Conference in Madrid

9. Monitoring improvement actions
Similar to the previous round
Annual monitoring, 1st round for NSIs launched in March 2016 covering progress since the publication of an IA plan
From 2017 launch in January for reporting period until end of the preceding year
Template similar to the previous one, with some minor adaptations

10. Thank you for your attention For any questions please contact us at: