1. Access to micro data in Europe
Presented by
Michel Isnard – Insee
DwB Training Course, Ljubljana, 17/09/2014

2. Introduction Access to European micro data Access to French micro data
Access to UK micro data

3. European micro data
Eurostat, the statistical agency of the Commission, receives harmonised micro data from National Statistical Institutes
Mainly “household” data (SILC, LFS, ESS, …)
Some “business data” (CIS, …)
Harmonised data, but poorer than the national counter part
Regulation 223/2009 – Article 23
Access can be given to researchers for scientific purposes
Agreement of the NSI
Modalities fixed in new Commission Regulation n°557/2013

4. Access to European microdata
Entities recognized
Accreditation of research project and researchers
Types of files accessed
Agreement of Member States

5. Entities recognized
Every entity employing researchers to be accredited must be recognized
Purpose of the entity : statute, mission, .., must include reference to research
Established record or reputation as a body producing quality research and making it publicly available
The research entity must be independent and separated from policy areas
Technical and infrastructure requirements assuring security of data should be in place
Every entity shall undertake a confidentiality agreement covering all researchers of the entity accessing to confidential data and sanctions must be announced.
List published by Eurostat

6. Assessment of a research project
Criteria to be used
Legitimate purpose of the research
Explanation why this purpose cannot be fulfilled using non-confidential data;
Entity requesting access;
List of individual researchers who will have access to the data;
Access facilities to be used;
Data sets to be accessed, the methods of analysing them; and
intended results of the research to be published or otherwise disseminated
Individual confidentiality declarations

7. Files accessed Scientific Use Files Sent to the entity on a CD-ROM
Almost anonymized, lower risk
Secure Use Files
Access through an access facility accredited by Eurostat
Presently Eurostat in Luxembourg
In a short term : National Statistical Institutes
Then National Statistical Authorities
And ….

8. Access to French microdata

9. Access to French microdata
French microdata are available on different forms :
Public Use Files
Scientific Use Files
Confidential Files
Almost every data collected for official statistics are available :
Except data covered by another secret : fiscal, national security, …

10. Public Use Files
Available at
Description in French
Mainly census, civil status data and Labour Force Survey
Downloadable from foreign countries

11. Scientific Use Files
Data from household surveys available through French Data Archive : Reseau Quetelet
Website in English, but data description in French (to be translated ..)
Possible from foreign counties
No SUF from business surveys

12. Confidential Files (1)
Available from Business and Household Surveys and employer-employee data
Except data covered by another secret : fiscal, national security, …
Researchers submitted to the same penal sanctions as the statisticians
European countries
Access through French national secure center : CASD in Genes

13. Confidential Files (2) : The SD-Box

14. Confidential Files (3) Procedures in 4 steps :
Opinion of then French Statistical Confidentiality Committee, chaired by a judge and composed by researchers, statisticians and representants of surveyed persons
Evaluation of the scientific project
Need of the confidential data
Agreement by the statistical services
Decision by the French national Archives
Formation to the use of CASD, taking place in Paris

15. Confidential Files (4) Duration of the process : 2-3 months
Use of SD Box not free
Except for DwB sponsored projects
More information available on :
Page in French, but request form in English
Page in English