Standards and guidelines for reference metadata Item 2.1.2 of the Agenda Standards and guidelines for reference metadata August Götzfried Unit B 4 15 & 16 October 2007 IT Directors Group

2.1.2 Standards and guidelines for reference metadata The SDMX initiative also aims to create standards with regard to the creation and exchange of metadata SDMX based Content-oriented Guidelines were developed (cross-domain concepts, statistical subject matter domains and the metadata common vocabulary) The SDMX Secretariat is now reviewing these guidelines with the aim of releasing version 1 of these guidelines for public consultation soon Member states are associated to this review process, with discussions at Eurostat meetings in 2007 and participation at the public consultation 15 & 16 October 2007 IT Directors Group

2.1.2 Standards and guidelines for reference metadata Implementation process of the SDMX based metadata standards into the European Statistical System started For structural metadata: Eurostat aims to create standardized code lists, in also recommending their use at Eurostat and - at a second stage - beyond For reference metadata: Eurostat is creating an Euro SDMX metadata structure (ESMS), in also recommending its use at Eurostat and at - a second stage - at the level of Member states With the building-up and use of the underlying technical infra-structure Member states are also involved in this work within the Eurostat Metadata Task Force and Working Group (last meeting in 09/2007) 15 & 16 October 2007 IT Directors Group

2.1.2 Standards and guidelines for reference metadata Member states are asked to take note of this progress report to support the further work on the standardization of structural and reference metadata in contributing actively to the development work outlined in the document. The necessary working structure for the involvement of countries is already in place. 15 & 16 October 2007 IT Directors Group