1. 1 Experience in measuring the burden on businesses Peter Bekx Director, Business Statistics IAOS Conference Shanghai, October 2008

2. 2 Burden reduction is top priority Lisbon Strategy For many years in statistics Burden assessment before new statistics are introduced Burden measurement of complete statistical production before 2012  Need for a common methodology

3. 3 Methodology  Re the measurement of response burden: TF examined the EU Standard Cost Model and considered it as fit for use; a number of MS are using it already  Re the measurement of cost: NSIs have developed their own accounting systems which are suitable to deliver information on costs for the production of statistics serving their national needs. These accounting systems differ considerably  Re the measurement of benefits: 3 pilot tests were carried out on the basis of a harmonised approach with varying results

4. 4 Burden reduction Review of priorities Use of administrative data Use of accounting data Data warehouse EU role

5. 5 Prioritisation Collect less information  Reduce number of variables  Reduce frequency Identify areas of lesser importance

6. 6 Use of administrative data Use existing data collected for other purposes Need to ensure quality Concessions on format, detail, timeliness Conditions:  high-level political support  based on appropriate legal framework

7. 7 Use of accounting data Harmonisation of accounting standards Development of XBRL Projects in different Member States

8. 8 Data warehouse approach Integration of data from different sources  Eliminate methodological differences  Harmonise classifications  Link databases Long-term goal: single database

9. 9 EU role Eurogroups register Data at EU aggregate level  CETO flags  EU sampling

10. 10 Conclusions  Measurement exercises provide valuable input and examples of best practices  Real burden versus perceived burden needs to be addressed  Efforts to reduce burden will be continued:  without compromising quality  via improved efficiency  ESTAT will continue aiming at improved priority setting