Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Lamačská cesta 3/C, 840 05 Bratislava 45, Slovakia
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
17 April 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
17 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
17 April 2025
3.1. Data description
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA cover solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material
Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials.
Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil)
Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy
Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G
Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I
3.2. Classification system
EW-MFA record physical flows of materials broken down by type of flow and by type of material.
The type of flow dimension corresponds to the EW-MFA questionnaire reporting tables and derived indicators, namely:
domestic extraction (Table A)
physical imports (Table B)
physical exports (Table D)
domestic processed output (Table F)
balancing items (Table G)
direct material input (indicator)
domestic material consumption (indicator)
physical trade balance (indicator)
The breakdown by type of material employs a classification of materials. This EW-MFA classification of materials is hierarchical with main material flow categories (1-digit level). Each main category is further broken down, maximal down to 4-digit-level:
1-digit: material category;
2-digit: material class;
3-digit: material group;
4-digit: material sub-group.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The data refer to national economies as defined in the system of national accounts.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').
For more detailed information please see also 3.1.
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.
3.6. Statistical population
EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector').
EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).
Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).
Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.
3.7. Reference area
Slovakia.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Please see the table in 3.8.1.
3.8.1. Coverage – Time: by questionnaire table
Questionnaire table
From (YEAR)
To (YEAR)
Comments
Domestic extraction (Table A)
1998
2023
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
1998
2023
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
1998
2023
Domestic processed output (Table F)
2000
2022
Balancing items (Table G)
2000
2022
Estimates
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
Not available
3.9. Base period
Not applicable because EW-MFA are not reported as indices.
The unit of measure is thousand tonnes.
The data refer to the calendar years.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) are legally covered by Regulation (EU) 691/2011 on European Environmental Economic Accounts.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable in national level, this information is required at European level only.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The Statistical Office of the SR is responsible for the protection of confidential data obtained and guarantees their use exclusively for statistical purposes. In accordance with the Act on State Statistics No. 540/2001 Coll. §2g and §30, the Statistical Office of the SR may not publish confidential statistical data, but only information resulting from the aggregation of confidential statistical data, which does not allow direct or indirect identification of the reporting unit.
The Statistical Office of the SR has introduced principles and procedures for the protection of confidential data in internal directives and instructions. The directive on the protection of confidential statistical data regulates the method of management and implementation of activities related to ensuring the protection of confidential statistical data in the Statistical Office of the SR. The internal methodological instruction of the Statistical Office of the SR regulates specific methods and parameter values used in the protection of confidential statistical data of individual statistical surveys and data sets.
As regards EW-MFA statistics, the statistical data are disseminated at national level to all users at the same time (data are published on the date specified in the Public database update schedule).
Annually.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
No news release at national level.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Statistical Office of the SR publishes regularly (annually in December) the thematic EW-MFA publication with the title "Environmental Accounts - Material Flow Accounts" which is available for public on the website of the Statistical Office of the SR (access: www.statistics.sk - Statistics > Environment > Environment > Publications).
The publication is issued in accordance with the Catalogue of Publications of the Statistical Office of the SR (access: www.statistics.sk - Products > Publications of the Catalogues).
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
EW-MFA data are published regularly (annually in December) in online database of the Statistical Office of the SR - DATAcube:
table "Material Flow Accounts - Import and Export" [zp1004rs],
table "Domestic material consumption by material" [zp1008rs].
Selected indicators calculated on the basis of EW-MFA data are available on the Information portal of the Ministry of the Environment of the SR - Enviroportal (access: www.enviroportal.sk - Indicators) within the set of environmental indicators: Resource productivity, Domestic materail consumption.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
No other dissemination format.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The national documentation on methodology for EW-MFA is not available. The EW-MFA for Slovakia are compiled in accordance with Eurostat methodology.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Metadata/Quality report for users of EW-MFA statistics is published on the website of the Statistical Office of the SR - access: www.statistics.sk > Metadata > Quality Reports > Material Flow Accounts.
11.1. Quality assurance
Statistical Office of the SR has implemented the Quality Management System (QMS) which is based on the International Standardization Organization standard - ISO 9001. The QMS has been certified by the certification body every three years starting with 2006. Respecting the process approach principle and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model, the system covers issues related to management, resources, operation and measurement, analysis and improvement. The system has been enhanced by the inclusion of requirements of the European Statistics Code of Practice and of selected elements of other advanced quality management systems. The QMS is described in the Quality manual (only available in Slovak). The application of the quality manual in practice ensures that all activities that have an impact on the quality of statistical products are planned, managed, examined and assessed.
According to our assessment the quality of EW-MFA data for Slovakia is good.
Good quality of EW-MFA statistics is ensured by using reliable source data, applying proper methodology for data compilation. Compiled EW-MFA data are thoroughly checked and validated at the national level and also by Eurostat.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Domestic material consumption is one of the global indicators of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, under the goal 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Resource productivity is included in the set of Circular economy indicators.
The key user of the EW-MFA data for Slovakia is Eurostat. Important user of this product at national level is the Ministry of the Environment of the SR and mainly its organization Slovak Environmental Agency (SEA). The SEA compiles and publishes national environmental indicators for monitoring and evaluating the progress towards meeting environmental objectives. Environmental indicators are also very important for planning and setting national policy goals in environmental area. EW-MFA related indicators are included in the set of national environmental indicators.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The customer's satisfaction survey specifically regarding EW-MFA statistics is not carried out. In general, feedback of users of EW-MFA data is positive.
12.3. Completeness
Submitted EW-MFA data for Slovakia are complete and meet the requirements of the relevant legislation - Regulation 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts, Annex III.
All mandatory data are reported in the EW-MFA questionnaire 2025 for Slovakia.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Overall, the accuracy of EW-MFA data for Slovakia is considered to be good. Though the EW-MFA are compiled by using a variety of data sources, all of them are official statistics produced by institutions within national statistical system (Statistical Office of the SR or relevant ministries and their organizations). Compiled EW-MFA are thoroughly checked to prevent errors and verified in the Statistical Office of the SR and also in Eurostat.
According to our assessment, data for all mandatory characteristics are of sufficient quality - thus it was not necessary to fill in and enclose the Annex 3 (for providing an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data).
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable for EW-MFA statistics.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable for EW-MFA statistics.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Compiled mandatory EW-MFA tables A (Domestic Extraction), B (Imports) and D (Exports) are available 12 months after the end of the reference year.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable. Preliminary data are not compiled.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final data are available 12 months after the end of the reference year.
14.2. Punctuality
Transmission deadline for EW-MFA data according to amended regulation 691/2011 (t+16 months) was met. Slovakia submitted the compiled EW-MFA questionnaire 2025 (ref. year 2023) to Eurostat on 09. April 2025.
At national level, EW-MFA data are published on time, in accordance with the schedule.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable because physical imports and exports as recorded in EW-MFA are not specified by origin and/or destination.
15.2. Comparability - over time
No significant changes in methodology or data sources applied for compiling the EW-MFA data for Slovakia have occurred in available time series.
Please see the table in sub-concept 15.2.1.1 regarding breaks in time series.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
15.2.1.1. Comparability - over time detailed
Please use below table for explaining b)-flags (breaks in time series):
Year (of the break in series)
Questionnaire table(s)
MF-code(s)
Reason for' break in time series'
2001
Table A
MF.1.1.7
From 2001 only production of vegetables from farms is included (estimation of production from domestic garden-plots is no longer included).
2023
Table A
MF.1.4.1
Data for period 1998 - 2022 are Eurostat estimates. Value for year 2023 comes from the statistical survey on fish production and catches.
2008
Table F
MF.7.3
Data for period 2000 - 2007 are Eurostat estimates. Data from year 2008 onward come from data sources of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute.
2015
Table F
MF.7.1.C
From 2015, there was change in methodology in measurement of heavy metals at national level.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Data are coherent with the system of national accounts and satellite system of environmental-economic accounts.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
EW-MFA are compiled in accordance with the principles of the system of national accounts.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Data are internally coherent. For particular MFA category, the same data source is applied in whole time series (there is no differ in data sources for different year in the time series).
The working time needed for the production of EW-MFA is roughly 1.5 Person-Months (work on collection and production of source data is not included).
Burden on respondents - not applicable. No specific statistical survey for the purpose of obtaining data for EW-MFA is conducted. EW-MFA are compiled by using already existing statistics.
17.1. Data revision - policy
No specific national revision policy for EW-MFA is established. EW-MFA data are submitted to Eurostat as final, preliminary data are not reported thus no regular/planned revisions are performed.
In case that some revisions are necessary (e.g. resulting from data validation), the concerned data are revised/corrected and the revised version of the questionnaire is submitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Revisions in the EW-MFA questionnaire 2025 (in comparison with previous version of the questionnaire - version April 2024):
Table F - Domestic Processed Output, period 2000-2021 - revisions of values for the items under category MF.7.1 - Emissions to air: revisions in line with the actual AEA data - from AEA questionnaire 2024.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
18.1. Source data
Data sources used to produce EW-MFA are described in the sub-concept 18.1.1 (Annex 1).
18.1.1. Source data - Table A, B, D, F and G
Data compiled in EW-MFA are obtained from variety of data sources - from internal data sources of the Statistical Office of the SR (agriculture statistics, foreign trade statistics) and also from external data sources (State Geological Institute, National Forest Centre).
Data sources are listed in detail in the enclosed Annex 1.
Voluntary data (MFA in RME) in table I are not reported.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Statistical surveys and other data sources listed in Annex 1 (annex in the sub-concept 18.1.1) that are used for compiling the EW-MFA for Slovakia have different frequency of data collection:
statistical survey on crop production - annual periodicity,
statistical survey on supplies of wood in forestry - quarterly periodicity,
statistical survey on fish production and catches - annual periodicity,
statistical survey on stock of game and hunting ground, state of game and game hunting - annual periodicity,
INTRASTAT system - declaration on arrival and dispatch of goods - monthly periodicity,
EXTRASTAT system - customs declarations from the Customs Section of the Financial Directorate of SR - monthly periodicity,
balance of the reserves of exclusive deposits SR and non-reserved mineral deposits - conducted on annual basis.
EW-MFA data are compiled annually for given reference year.
18.3. Data collection
EW-MFA are compiled by using data from already existing national data sources (see the sub-concept 18.1.1). Data collections in relevant statistical surveys are conducted according to the Programme of State Statistical Surveys.
No specific statistical survey for the purpose of obtaining data for EW-MFA is carried out.
18.4. Data validation
The source data used for compilation of EW-MFA are checked and verified within the process of collection and processing of respective data.
Compiled EW-MFA data for Slovakia are thoroughly checked and validated by the Statistical Office of the SR and also Eurostat. Data filled in the EW-MFA questionnaire are also checked by applying the built-in checking tool incorporated in the questionnaire.
18.5. Data compilation
The source data collected in the statistical surveys or obtained from other data sources listed in the sub-concept 18.1.1. are compiled into required aggregates for domestic extraction, imports and exports broken down by material categories.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.5.2. Estimation approaches for specific items
Estimation approaches for characteristics in Table A 'Domestic extraction' for which data are not available in existing data sources are described in the enclosed Annex 2.
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
We employ Eurostat’s correspondence table (Annex 4 "Correspondence between Combined Nomenclature and EW-MFA classification for imports and exports" to the EW-MFA questionnaire) to assign traded goods to material categories.
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
We don't apply conversion factors.
Data on import and export are available directly in weight units (kg) in national foreign trade statistics, therefore it is not necessary to convert the data.
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
Data on fuel trade are not available for Slovakia.
We are not able to estimate the data because of lack in necessary auxiliary data/information. However, it is not very significant item within the EW-MFA for Slovakia.
18.5.6. Significant problems
No significant problems.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable; i.e. in EW-MFA no time series adjustment necessary.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No comments.
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA cover solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material
Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials.
Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil)
Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy
Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G
Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I
17 April 2025
Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').
For more detailed information please see also 3.1.
Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.
EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector').
EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).
Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).
Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.
Slovakia.
The data refer to the calendar years.
Overall, the accuracy of EW-MFA data for Slovakia is considered to be good. Though the EW-MFA are compiled by using a variety of data sources, all of them are official statistics produced by institutions within national statistical system (Statistical Office of the SR or relevant ministries and their organizations). Compiled EW-MFA are thoroughly checked to prevent errors and verified in the Statistical Office of the SR and also in Eurostat.
According to our assessment, data for all mandatory characteristics are of sufficient quality - thus it was not necessary to fill in and enclose the Annex 3 (for providing an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data).
The unit of measure is thousand tonnes.
The source data collected in the statistical surveys or obtained from other data sources listed in the sub-concept 18.1.1. are compiled into required aggregates for domestic extraction, imports and exports broken down by material categories.
Data sources used to produce EW-MFA are described in the sub-concept 18.1.1 (Annex 1).
Annually.
Compiled mandatory EW-MFA tables A (Domestic Extraction), B (Imports) and D (Exports) are available 12 months after the end of the reference year.
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
No significant changes in methodology or data sources applied for compiling the EW-MFA data for Slovakia have occurred in available time series.
Please see the table in sub-concept 15.2.1.1 regarding breaks in time series.
