Official European statistics is regulated by the principles of
the European Statistics Code of Practice, which tends to achieve the quality and credibility of data. The European Statistics Code of Practice is based on 15 principles, which cover the institutional environment, statistical production processes and statistical results. A set of indicators of good practice provides for each principle a reference for reviewing the implementation of the Code.
The quality criteria for European statistics are defined by the European statistical legislation, that is,
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European statistics (Article 12). Statistical authorities, which, as defined by Regulation, include Eurostat, national statistical institutes and other national authorities responsible for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics, are obliged to adhere to the Code. The principles of the Code of Practice, together with the general quality management principles, represent a common quality framework for the European Statistical System.
