The formalisation of validation within the ESS needs to be considered against the backdrop of the quality standards for official statistics. The key supporting document is the European Statistics Code of Practice.
The European Statistics Code of Practice is based on ‘15 Principles covering the institutional environment, the statistical production processes and the output of statistics. A set of indicators of good practice for each of the Principles provides a reference for reviewing the implementation of the Code. The quality criteria for European Statistics are defined in European Statistical Law.
Statistical authorities, comprising the Commission (Eurostat), National Statistical Institutes and other national authorities responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European Statistics, together with governments, ministries and the European Council, commit themselves to adhere to the Code.
The Principles of the Code of Practice together with the general quality management principles represent a common quality framework in the European Statistical System.’
Clarification of the validation checks to be performed on data produced by the ESS plays a key role in compliance with the 15 Principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice. In particular, Principles 11 to 15 below, which refer to ‘statistical output’, benefit greatly from clarification of the validation checks:
- Principle 11: Relevance (European Statistics meet the needs of users);
- Principle 12: Accuracy and Reliability (European Statistics accurately and reliably portray reality);
- Principle 13: Timeliness and Punctuality (European Statistics are released in a timely and punctual manner);
- Principle 14: Coherence and Comparability (European Statistics are consistent internally, over time and comparable between regions and countries; it is possible to combine and make joint use of related data from different sources); and
- Principle 15: Accessibility and Clarity (European Statistics are presented in a clear and understandable form, released in a suitable and convenient manner, available and accessible on an impartial basis with supporting metadata and guidance).