1. LAMAS Working Group 19-21 June 2017
Agenda Item 4.2 Ad hoc requests and confidentiality
Eurostat

2. Background
In December 2016 LAMAS decided that, until an agreement is reached, Eurostat should not transmit any value flagged 'c' to any user
Implies problems for users and Eurostat
A simple request replaced by around 20 requests
Note from DGs, CEDEFOP, Eurofound
Scientific use files
Article 23 of Regulation 223/2009: Access to confidential data for scientific purposes
Implementing act: Regulation 557/2013
Strict and precise guidelines for assessment of research entities and research proposals
Eurostat

3. Draft confidentiality undertaking
Under Article 21 of Regulation 223: Transmission of confidential data
But taking advantage of microdata access procedures defining trusted institutions and researchers:
Only for institutions recognised as "research entities"
Only in the scope of approved "research proposals"
Same obligations, safeguards and sanctions as those defined in microdata access procedures
Proposed as a supplement to the confidentiality undertaking signed by research entities to be eligible for access to microdata
Additional "framework" authorisation from NSIs for the transfer of values flagged 'c' to research entities having approved research proposals
Eurostat

4. Alternative
Example : OECD's annual publication "Education at a glance"
NEAC on educational attainment (annual averages)
NEAC_VET on educational attainment (annual averages) by field of education
TRANS on transitions / labour market outcomes (Q1)
-> for a set of different age groups, combination of EDUCSTAT, HATLEVEL, HATFIELD, ILOSTAT, SEX (+others)
OECD favours to collect data directly from countries - burden on NSIs
Consistency with published data not guaranteed
Eurostat

5. Results of LAMAS EoV Comments: Next steps: Yes 12 39% No 2 6%
Don't know
No answer 5
16%
Comments:
Access can be given if direct or indirect identification of the statistical unit is not possible
Next steps:
More time to check with your legal experts/unit
If answer is 'No', under which conditions would you agree?
Discussion with Working Group on Methodology
Eurostat