1. 7. Introduction to the main SDMX objects for metadata exchange
Fernando H MORENTE ORIA
Eurostat, Unit B.5 Data and metadata services; standards
European Statistical Training Programme (ESTP) SDMX Basics course, 5-7 March 2019, Luxembourg

2. What’s metadata?
Information that is given to describe or help you use other information (Cambridge dictionary)

3. Types of metadata Structural metadata
Acting as identifiers and descriptors of the data, such as:
dimensions of statistical cubes
titles of tables
nomenclatures (code lists)
Always associated with the data enabling its identification, retrieval and browsing

4. Types of metadata Reference metadata
Acting only as descriptors of the data, they don’t help to actually identify the data
They can be of different kinds:
conceptual metadata
methodological metadata
quality metadata (process and output)
Can be exchanged independently from the data they are related to, but are however often linked to them
The part concerning Metadata assisting interpretation of statistical information is strongly
content-oriented. The requirements for metadata depend very much on the subject area and target
user groups. A driving force for the minimum metadata set formulated in this group is that as much
information as necessary should be made available to ensure a correct interpretation and to avoid
misuse. As a result, the list of recommended metadata in this case is quite long covering both the
metadata required for the correct interpretation of statistics and the metadata for better assessing the
quality and comparability of statistics.

5. Common artefacts in the implementation of SDMX for data and reference metadata
Concept Scheme
Code list
Dataflow
DSD
Metadata
Metadaflow
MSD

6. Main SDMX metadata objects (similarities)
Concept scheme
Concept Id, Name (compulsory) and Description (optional)*.
Code list
Concept Id, Name (compulsory) and Description (optional).
Metadataflow
- Concept Id, Name (compulsory) and Description (optional). The metadataflow will be linked to a MSD rather than a DSD.
* Eurostat uses a SDMX standard reporting structure (SIMS) which is used across domains

7. Main SDMX metadata objects (similarities)
MSD
Concepts same role: metadata Attribute
The MSD can target any object that can be identified such as a code or concept
DSD
Concepts different roles: Dimensions, Measures or Attributes

8. MSD
Metadata Target: One or more target objects (Dimension, partial/full key, Dataset, etc) identifying where the metadata information will be available.
Report Structure: Comprises a set of metadata attributes. Each metadata attribute identifies a concept that is reported
Report Structure ID
Concept ref
Text format
Data_Desc
String
STAT_UNIT

9. Eurostat SDMX implementation solution

10. Why reference metadata?
Metadata exists in different formats and comprises different pieces of information
ESSMH
The ESS’s solution for SDMX based reference metadata
Single Integrated Metadata Structure
Eurostat’s reporting structure for reference metadata

11. Eurostat’s reporting structures: SIMS or its subset ESMS structure

12. Identify/Define Code Lists
Like in the case of SDMX data implementation, code lists may be required.
Each code list will comprise an unique: ID, Agency ID, Version and Name.
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13. Concept Scheme
Domain specific concepts which are not present on the SIMS structure will be included on a different Concept Scheme.

14. MSD (TOUR) Report Structure
The MSD will include those concepts from SIMS or its subset structure plus domain specific concepts included in the Concept Scheme and Code List and Format

15. MSD (TOUR) Target Objects
Report structure is linked to :
Dataflow (dataset)
Data provider (EU/MSs)
Time period (reference year)

16. Example for European and national reference metadata

17. ESS Metadata Handler

18. What is the ESS Metadata Handler?
Is a web based application for national and European reference metadata
Allows production, exchange and dissemination of metadata across the ESS
Implements the ESS metadata standards (SIMS or ESMS)
Been in production since 31 January 2014

19. The ESS Metadata Handler
The business process
Common user Interface
Output produced for the Eurostat Web
Other output for Eurostat or external users
ESS-MH IT application
ESS – Metadata Handler
Euro SDMX Registry
Input from national metadata
Metadata from the Eurostat Domain manager
Eurostat as main administrator

20. National Statistical Institute EUROSTAT
EDAMIS
National Statistical Institute
EUROSTAT
ESS Metadata Handler (ESS MH)
ESS MH Database
Eurostat Website
PRODUCTION
TREATMENT & ANALYSIS
DISSEMINATION
National Metadata File

21. Result
National and European reference metadata files that include under a standard structure, sources and summary information regarding data quality and the production process in general

22. Summary
Main SDMX objects for metadata exchange: Concept Scheme, Code lists, Metadataflow and MSD
MSD: Concepts same role (metadata attribute) and can target any object that can be identified such as a code or concept
Eurosta’s SDMX reference metadata implementation offers SIMS or ESMS reporting structures
Eurostat uses ESSMH for metadata compilation, exchange and dissemination

23. Questions?