1. Updated Inventory of national practices
on the basis of the results of the survey of the WG Quality in Statistics concerning:
Implementation of amended provisions to Regulation (EC) 223/2009 on National guidelines for quality - Art. 5a 2 let g) and 3 and
Regionalised and decentralised statistical systems – ESGAB Annual Report Recommendation no. 17
ESGAB = European Statistical Governance Advisory Board
WG Quality in Statistics 6 December 2016
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

2. Amended Art. 5a paragraphs 2 let. g) and 3 – National guidelines
“1. Within their national statistical system, Member States shall ensure the professional independence of officials responsible for the tasks set out in this Regulation.
2. To that end, the heads of NSIs shall: …
g) produce national guidelines, where this is necessary to ensure quality in the development, production and dissemination of all European statistics within their national statistical system and monitor and review their implementation; while being responsible for ensuring compliance with those guidelines solely within the NSI;”
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

3. Amended Art. 5a paragraphs 2 let. g) and 3 – National guidelines
"3. Each Member State shall ensure that other national authorities responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics carry out such tasks in accordance with the national guidelines produced by the head of the NSI."
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4. Approach - Survey of WG Quality
Eurostat ran a survey with the WG Quality in Q on the national guidelines for ensuring quality (amended Regulation 223/2009 Art.5a, paragraphs 2.g) and 3) and regionalised and decentralised statistical systems (ESGAB Annul Report 2015 – Recommendation 17)
The results and inventory of national practices were presented in the WG Quality in Statistics in June 2016
The survey was re-opened in July for countries that had not participated and for updates; expected timelines for developing and implementing national guidelines for quality and corresponding monitoring and governance mechanisms were requested
The results and updated/final inventory of national practices are presented in the current WG Quality in Statistics (Dec 16) – inventory circulated by
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5. Updated / Final Inventory
8 countries added in the Inventory – coverage of all MS and 10 non-MS
3 countries changed from NO to YES the reply to the question on existence of National guidelines for ensuring quality (Survey question 2.1)
In some cases, positive replies to the existence of National guidelines for ensuring quality (Survey question 2.1) are apparently contradicted by the explanations provided (Survey question 2.2) with regard, in particular, to the scope of applicability of the National guidelines for ensuring quality, either national (covering the entire National Statistical System) or solely to the National Statistical Institute. This may be caused by different interpretations of the legal text (i.e. Reg. 223 – Art 5a) 2. let. g) by member states
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6. National guidelines for quality – results (1)
21 out of 38 respondents declare having national guidelines for ensuring quality in the NSSs (19 out of 28 EU member states <<MS>> and 2 out of 10 non-MS)
18 out of 19 respondents (out of which 2 MS having declared they have national guidelines for ensuring quality) declare they wish to develop or implement such guidelines in the future (11 MS and 7 out of 8 non-MS)
Concerning timelines for development and implementation : the majority of countries (even some declaring they have NSS quality guidelines) expect development and implementation between ; some make a distinction between either development and implementation or between existence and adoption for NSS of the guidelines or a distinction of current applicability: only NSI, NSI and some ONAs and intention to adopt and implement by all ONAs
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

7. National guidelines for quality – results (2)
WHAT'S NEW? National practices for countries that replied "YES" to national guidelines for quality question – changes or new countries:
Generally, countries refer to collections of documents rather than to a standalone document; these refer to quality frameworks covering quality assessment, reporting and indicators, among others, in some cases on the backbone of GSBPM, at process and/or output level
One country uses agreements between the NSIs and ONAs to strengthen the coordination role of the NSI and CoP compliance
Another country cites a text included in the explanatory memorandum to the statistical law which reference the quality guidelines for the NSS
Three countries refer to standalone quality guidelines as well as to other quality manuals/requirements, two of which refer also to national codes of practice
Replies to question 2.2 Please add a brief explanation on their objective, scope and approach.
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

8. National guidelines for quality – results (3)
WHAT'S NEW? Modalities for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of National guidelines for ensuring quality within the national statistical system – changes or new countries:
Some use quality reviews/self-assessments/audits to monitor partially ONAs; some on voluntary basis
Some use or intend to introduce or strengthen the monitoring of national guidelines within the NSS through self-assessments and peer reviews to be overseen by a NSS coordination council (also recommended by ESS Peer Review)
In one case, producer oriented quality reports are used for partial monitoring
In one country where the NSI is the main producer, European statistics produced by ONAs is validated by the NSI
In another case, an external authority certifies official statistics
Replies to question 2.8 ( Please explain the modalities for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of National guidelines for ensuring quality within the national statistical system (see Art.5a, 2 let.g) Amended Reg. 223/2009 provision)
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

9. National guidelines for quality – results (4)
WHAT'S NEW? Modalities of ensuring compliance with the National guidelines within the National Statistical Institute – changes or new countries:
At NSI level, several countries monitor through specific quality departments
Some use/intend to introduce quality reviews/audits by a central quality department or self-assessments to monitor within the NSI at product and/or process level
Some use as main standard the Code of Practice
One country intends to ensure compliance with in the NSI through peer reviews recommendations, implementation of the quality assurance framework at process level or by training of staff
In one case, an external authority certifies official statistics produced by the NSI
Replies to question 2.9 Please explain the modalities of ensuring compliance with the quality guidelines within the National Statistical Institute (see Art.5a, 2 let.g) Amended Reg. 223/2009 provision)
WG Quality in Statistics 6 December 2016
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

10. National guidelines for quality – results (5)
WHAT'S NEW? How is the Member State ensuring that other national authorities responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics carry out such tasks in accordance with the national guidelines produced by the head of the NSI – changes or new countries:
Use of Quality Declaration and agreements/contracts signed by ONAs and National Council for coordination/oversight
One country wishes to develop a legal act for coordination by NSI of the European statistics production of the NSS
Some use/intend to introduce mainly self-assessments but also peer reviews/audits to monitor ONAs
In one case, an external authority certifies official statistics produced by the NSI
Replies to question 2.10 How is your Member State ensuring that other national authorities responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics carry out such tasks in accordance with the national guidelines produced by the head of the NSI (see Art. 5a) paragraph 3)?
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

11. Conclusion – National guidelines for quality
The updated inventory of national practices on national guidelines for quality was circulated with members if the WG Quality in Statistics by and is considered final by Eurostat
The national guidelines are an essential building block for strengthening coordination within NSSs and ensuring quality in the development, production and dissemination of all European statistics
On the basis of the replies received we note that the MS are aware on the importance of the national guidelines for quality for achieving desired results
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12. Regionalised and decentralised statistical systems ESGAB Annual Report 2015
2015 RECOMMENDATIONS:
2015/15 The NSIs in countries with statistical production in regions with a high degree of autonomy should be alert to the challenges posed by the regionalisation process and adopt a strong leadership role and effective coordination procedures. To this end, a clear and definite mandate and wide coordination powers should be enshrined in legislation.
2015/16 Governments and NSIs in the transition phase of regionalisation should provide sufficient resources for training and awareness‑raising on the Code of Practice.
2015/17 Eurostat should reinforce its capacity to monitor and evaluate Code compliance in regionalised and decentralised statistical systems
ESGAB = European Statistical Governance Advisory Board
WG Quality in Statistics 6 December 2016
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

13. Regionalised and decentralised statistical systems
8 out of 38 respondents declare having regionalised and decentralised national statistical systems (5 out of 28 EU member states and 3 out of 10 non-MS)
WHAT'S NEW? Replies to question on existing/planned mechanism for monitoring and evaluating compliance with the Code of Practice in national statistical systems – changes or new countries:
New statistical law and new monitoring mechanism in the future (self-assessment and monitoring) reports
In several cases through the use of peer reviews on the basis of European or national codes of practice
In two cases through agreements/contracts with ONAs setting up quality assurance mechanisms
In one case, the coordinating and monitoring role of ONA is strengthened
In one case, an external authority certifies official statistics
WG Quality in Statistics 6 December 2016
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WG Quality 6 December 2016

14. Conclusion – regionalised and decentralised NSSs
The updated inventory of national practices was circulated with members if the WG Quality in Statistics by and is considered as final by Eurostat
Eurostat invites:
all MS and in particular countries subject to regionalised and decentralised systems to continuously update the lists of ONAs / in particular Regionalised and decentralised bodies
all MS to inform Eurostat when a national system becomes regionalised and decentralised and vice-versa
the MS concerned to follow-up and implement ESGAB Annual Report 2015 recommendations 15 and 16 (see slide 12)
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15. Please liaise with ESS TF Amended 223 counterparts at NSI level.
In accordance with Regulation no. 223/2009 as amended by Regulation 759/2015, please ensure that, once developed, the national guidelines for ensuring quality in the development, production and dissemination of all European statistics are implemented within the national statistical systems
Thank you!
WG Quality in Statistics 6 December 2016
Eurostat - Unit D4