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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Timetable – optimistic scenario
1st phase
30 October – 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 – second meeting Discussion and tentative agreement on the content of the new regulation
April written consultation First report to the WGSC : discussion
End of the 1st phase
21 & 22 October 2009
IT Directors Group

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

8. Timetable – optimistic scenario
Finalization
19 October WGSC – second meeting : discussion
November – 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

9. 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

10. 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