C. Ahsbahs and V. Damia CCSA - Conference on data quality for international organisations

1. The ECB Statistical Quality Framework and Quality Assurance Procedures: An assessment in the light of the attempt to harmonise frameworks of international organisations C. Ahsbahs and V. Damia CCSA - Conference on data quality for international organisations Rome, 7 July 2008

2. ECB Statistics Quality Framework (SQF) Objectives of the SQF • Support the fulfilment of the ESCB objectives. • Support the fulfilment of the ECB and Eurosystem Mission Statement. • Provide a benchmark for quality to ECB staff working in the area of statistics. • As a communication instrument, contribute to maintaining public’s confidence in the ECB statistics upon which policy decisions are made. Addressees • The users of ECB statistics: internal users (e.g. the Executive Board, Governing Council and General Council of the ECB) and external users (e.g. international and national organisations, authorities, etc.). • The data providers: euro area NCBs, in some cases NSIs and commercial data providers, and direct respondents. • The data compilers and the DG-S staff in general.

3. ECB Statistics Quality Framework (SQF) Institutional environment: P1. Independence and accountability P2. Mandate for data collection P3. Impartiality & objectivity P.4 Statistical confidentiality P.5 Coordination and cooperation among the ESCB and with EU and IOs P.6 Resources and efficiency - user needs - confidentiality - reporting burden - statisticians Definition of quality SQF Statistical processes: P7. Sound methodology and appropriate statistical procedures P8. Cost-effectiveness and non-excessive burden on reporting agents Quality principles Statistical output: P9. Relevance P10. Accuracy and reliability (including stability) P11. Consistency (or coherence) and comparability P12. Timeliness (incl. punctuality) P13. Accessibility and clarity Quality assurance procedures

4. Development of the SQF Synergies • a definition of their scope and objectives deemed as appropriate for the ECB statistical function, • interesting features in their implementation and monitoring, and • the existence of clear similarities between the institutional environment of the institution of application and the ECB statistical function.

5. Development of the SQF (2)

6. Development of the SQF (3) - user needs - confidentiality - reporting burden - statisticians Definition of quality Code of Practice SQF Quality principles structure Code of Practice UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics Quality assurance procedures DQAF Scope and objectives

7. Development of the SQF (4) Definition of quality cascading structure DQAF SQF - institutional environment - statistical processes - statistical output Quality principles presentation Quality assurance procedures Code of Practice • Additional principles • - cost-efficiency and non-excessive • burden on respondent • - confidentiality Implementation and monitoring

8. Development of the SQF (5) Institutional environment • affects integrity and credibility • statutory independence - ECB & BoE • supranational organisations - ECB, OECD, Eurostat & IMF • similarities and differences

9. Thank you