Methodology
Comparability of results
The comparability of national data published by Eurostat is ensured by legislations that determine major aspects, such as:
- scope
- definition
- reference period
- level of detail
- deadlines for transmission
- starts and length of time series
In addition, the methodological manuals outline common methods for the collection and processing of data.
Definitions are consistent with international definitions used by the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Eurostat assesses EU countries' compliance with the regulations twice a year.
National data published by Eurostat are harmonised and comparable. However, national requirements may oblige the statistical institutes to produce and publish indicators which differ from the data they transmit to Eurostat.
Classifications
STS data are published according to the statistical classification of economic activities (NACE) and classification of products (CPA).