13-Jul-07 Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2) 1 Reduction of response burden and priority setting in the field of Community Statistics – initiatives at the European level European Conference on Quality in Official Statistics Rome, 8-11 July 2008

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)2 Content Political background of the initiatives Recently launched programmes, initiatives, projects Measurements of costs Measurement of burden Measurement of benefits Priority setting

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)3 Political background of the initiatives Lisbon strategy – “better regulation” agenda Strategic review of better Regulation of the Commission of 14 November 2006 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on reduction of response burden, simplification and priority setting in the filed of statistics from 14 November 2006 European Statistics Code of Practice

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)4 Recently launched programmes, initiatives, projects Action plan for the implementation of the Communication (Eurostat) Community Statistical Programme Task force on priority setting Measurement of costs and burden Rolling Reviews Assessment of benefits

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)5 Measurement of costs Definition of costs – for statistical authorities Based on accounting systems Basis – per regulation Problems :  Monetary terms / time spent  Real prices / nominal prices  Overhead costs / pure costs  Infrastructure costs  Exchange rates  Non-harmonised results

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)6 Measurement of burden Definition of burden – for reporting units Based on available information Oriented towards legal basis (regulation) Problems:  Availability of information over years  Details of information  Trends  “Jumps” in years  Comparability  Non-harmonised results

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)7 Measurement of benefits Tested in 2005 / 2006 New approach needed User surveys Rolling Reviews Targeted interviews

13-Jul-07Q 2008 – Claudia Junker (DDG 02) and Vera Herrmann (A2)8 Measures and Tools for Priority Setting Various approaches used in Member States Selection based on costs – benefits – effectiveness? Data collection on costs and burden (pilot in 2008) Review of the programme within Ex-ante evaluation of new projects Political responsibility