European Statistics legal framework adapted to future needs
THE EVOLUTION OF STATISTICAL LEGISLATION
On 6 December 2024, Regulation 2024/3018 amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European Statistics was published in the Official Journal of the EU. The newly adopted changes allow Eurostat, in partnership with national statistical authorities, to meet growing demands for detailed and timely statistics, particularly during crises.
The revision of the EU legal framework on the development, production and dissemination of European statistics marks a significant milestone in the modernisation of the European Statistical System (ESS).
The revised regulation enhances access to and use of administrative data and mandates the availability of privately held data for European statistics compilation. Just as before, national statistical authorities and Eurostat will protect statistical confidentiality and take necessary measures that safeguard the rights and freedoms of respondents.
Other key elements of the revised text include:
fostering data sharing among EU Member States’ statistical authorities;
sustaining interdisciplinary cooperation with academic and research institutions, especially when developing new statistics;
making innovation an indispensable part of the core business of the ESS;
providing possibilities for National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) to assume new roles and tasks in national data governance frameworks.
The revised regulation lays the foundations to make the ESS fit for the future by ensuring sustained access to data held by businesses and public administrations for statistical purposes.
It allows the system to tap into the potential of digital data sources and technologies to satisfy increasing demands for new, more granular and timelier statistics, while also being more responsive and reducing the reporting burden.
THE MOTIVATION
While digitalisation promotes the emergence of other players in the information market, official statistics need to stand out as a trustworthy source of information.
Digital transformation has brought about significant changes, creating new demands for European statistics. The COVID-19 pandemic, the energy crisis and wars have conveyed a message of urgency and have amplified the need for more timely, frequent and detailed statistics. Therefore, European statistics are crucial for informing EU decision-making and ensuring the best possible response to crises.
To achieve these objectives, Regulation (EC) 223/2009 on European statistics had to be amended. The revised regulation is an opportunity to innovate statistical products and services by integrating new data sources, while maintaining and adapting statistical quality standards in line with the European Statistics Code of Practice, within a strong privacy preservation framework. It is anticipated that harnessing new technologies is necessary to improve efficiency in delivering new services and create value for users.
PREPARATORY WORK
Prior to the legislative work, the ESS carried out a number of preliminary actions, such as ESSnet Big Data, to determine what is possible and desirable in terms of revisions. In 2017, these actions resulted in the adoption of a position paper on access to privately held data. A High-Level Expert Group also provided guidance in the form of a report on access to new data sources in 2022.
The revision was then launched by the publication of a call for evidence in February 2022. Eurostat carried out several consultations and an impact assessment in accordance with the Better Regulation Guidelines. This impact assessment was validated by the Regulatory Scrutiny Board and published alongside the legislative proposal in July 2023 – European Statistical System – making it fit for the future.
THE TIMELINE
The Commission adopted the legislative proposal on 10 July 2023 and co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on the amending regulation on 1 February 2024. The outgoing European Parliament voted the text of the amending regulation on 13 March 2024 followed by an adoption by the European Parliament of its first reading position on 8 October 2024.
The Council adopted the amending Regulation on 5 November 2024 and co-legislators signed it on 27 November 2024. The regulation was published in the Official Journal on 6 December 2024 and entered into force 20 days after publication on 26 December 2024.
MORE INFORMATION
Regulation (EU) 2024/3018 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics.
THE TEAM
- Eurostat, which is the statistical authority of the European Union and a service of the Commission
- NSIs and other national authorities responsible in each Member State for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics
- EU co-legislators: the European Parliament and the Council
- Other stakeholders, including the European Statistical Governance Advisory Board, the European Statistical Advisory Committee, statistical respondents and users, and international partners such as the statistical services of the European Central Bank and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
LAST UPDATE: January 2025
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