1. LAMAS Working Group 19-21 June 2017
Agenda Item 4.1 Future validation in the Labour Force Survey
Eurostat

2. LFS: rules with legal status
Commission Regulation (EC) 377/2008
Position of variables in records
Range of values that a variable can take
Filter conditions determining possible values of a variable depending on other ones
Eurostat

3. Future validation in the LFS
NSIs to correct RANGE and FILTER errors before transmission; no editing at Eurostat
Use of corporate validation system to check files
2 options:
Validation only
Transmission after successful validation
Eurostat

4. Future data transmission
Single record format for all transmission (as now)
Quarterly datasets with Q variables
Y, M variables can be included for validation
One annual dataset
Y variables, M variables, household subsamples where applicable
Replication of Q variables to avoid linking datasets and simplify validation and data processing
Weights: household weights needed only in case of household subsampling
Revisions: complete retransmission of files

5. Timing Eurostat to develop new LFS validation system in 2018-19
Target date for implementation: end of 2019
Ideally with IESS implementation, but
Testing with NSIs needed
Transition period required during which old and new system run in parallel and NSIs can adapt

6. Future of SAS validation programs
Available at least until the new system is fully implemented
The new validation system will provide the same functionality
Sending files to Eurostat for validation, without official transfer
Detailed validation reports indicating errors and warnings
Official transfer when errors are corrected

7. Error vs. warning Error Warning Range, filter checks with legal status
Possible further ones to be agreed upon
Errors lead to file rejection
Warning
Plausibility checks deserving review / improvement
E.g. household composition, hours worked…
File passes validation

8. Resource impact on NSIs?
Adaptation of IT to new file structure: low
no SDMX
Correction of errors: ?
Correction programs
Reducing errors at data collection
Eurostat now does it for >30 countries

9. Way forward Expert meeting on 6-7 February 2018 Validation rules
Error reporting
Data transmission …

10. LAMAS is invited to comment on :
proposals on data validation
proposals on data transmission
Eurostat