Working Group on Statistical Confidentiality Item 3 of the Agenda Revision of Commission Regulation (EC) No 831/2002 22-23 October 2009

Objectives To agree on the establisment of a TF discussing a draft of a Commission Regulation implementing Regulation 223/2009 on European statistics with respect to access to confidential data for scientific purposes To agree on a broad mandate for the TF and the working modalities (report, timetable) To discuss directions to be explored (improvements) To collect manifestation of interest in participating to the TF 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Background Revised legal framework for statistical confidentiality in the Regulation 223/2009 ESS commitment to value investment made for statistical data collection through easing/ improving access to confidential (micro) data for scientific purposes (Recital 26 of Regulation on European Statistics) 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Motivation for revision of Regulation 831/2002 Ensure coherence with the new legal framework Improve procedure for access to cope with the increase demand and the scarcity of resources Implement a new approach of risk monitoring Integrate development of IT with respect to secure and remote access to database The upcoming of new data archive network as brokers for access to Official Statistics micro data The development of new modes of production of official statistics (reuse of data, data linking, …) The implement the new vision for the organisation of ESS (cooperative development, distributed architecture, standardisation) 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Mandate of TF and working modalities Discussing draft of Commission regulation Discussing implementing measures (rules and conditions, procedures, charging, methodological aspects ..... TF up to 10 MSs, representative of current trends in the ESS in statistical confidentiality Close link with the Working Group (minutes, feedback mechanism) Milestones for consulting the WG and the ESSC 2 phases Agreement on the principles Agreement on a draft text proposed by Eurostat 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Timetable – optimistic scenario 1st phase 30 October 2009 – composition of the TF and finalisation of the mandate 16 December 2009 – first meeting Round table discussion identifying main direction for work – distribution of tasks 5-6 March 2010 – second meeting Discussion and tentative agreement on the content of the new regulation April 2010 written consultation First report to the WGSC : discussion End of the 1st phase 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Timetable – optimistic scenario May 2010 Report to the ESS Committee presenting unresolved issues 2nd phase 28 June 2010 – third meeting - Implementing strategic decision of the ESSC and WGSC - First draft of regulation 18 October 2010 - fourth meeting - Second draft of the Regulation End of the 2nd phase 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Timetable – optimistic scenario Finalization 19 October 2010 WGSC – second meeting : discussion November 2010 – written procedure: Opinion of the WGSC February 2011: Draft new implementing Regulation submitted to the ESS Committee for discussion Consultation Inter Service Commission DGs May 2011: Vote on the draft regulation replacing Regulation 831/2002 By September 2011: Adoption of the new Regulation by the Commission 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Directions that can be explored Rules and conditions for Risk monitoring approach Sharing of responsibilities Involving third parties (data archives, NSIs) in the process for EU data Flexibility for adaptation Simplified procedures (consultations, administrative burden) Simplified process for access by researchers 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group

Directions that can be explored New mode of access Remote access / remote execution Sharing of confidential database New admissibility procedure Standardisation Simplified procedure Sharing of information at ESS level New cost model allowing Eurostat not to invoice Coherent framework for sanctions (administrative ...) 21 & 22 October 2009 IT Directors Group