The production of high-quality statistics requires more transparent and harmonised reporting on data quality. To further this, the European Commission recently adopted Recommendation 2023/397 on reference metadata and quality reports for the European Statistical System (ESS). The recommendation promotes the use of statistical concepts listed in the latest version of the Single Integrated Metadata Structure (SIMS), a standard created and maintained by Eurostat.
Eurostat’s proposal for Recommendation 2023/397 was adopted following consultations with other Commission services and national statistical authorities. The new recommendation replaces an older one (2009/498/EC) that did not cover all quality reporting concepts, which motivated the need for updating. By promoting the use of SIMS, the recommendation will harmonise metadata and quality reporting practices, providing more clarity and transparency for users of European statistics. It will also reduce the burden and increase efficiency for national statistical authorities, in line with the European Statistics Code of Practice in which the new recommendation is grounded.
EU countries are encouraged to apply the statistical concepts listed in SIMS when compiling reference metadata and quality reports and exchanging them in the ESS. While there is flexibility in how EU members can implement the recommendation, the Commission urges them to take full advantage of available support in the ESS and keep Eurostat informed about their progress.
For more information
For enquiries about SIMS and the new recommendation, please contact the Task Force on Peer Reviews and Quality (ESTAT-QUALITY@ec.europa.eu). For enquiries about SIMS and the new recommendation, please contact the Task Force on Peer Reviews and Quality (ESTAT-QUALITY@ec.europa.eu).