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.
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
The Material flows data submitted are at a United Kingdom (UK) level. They are not presently available at further levels of disaggregation.
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)
1990
2019
2019 data provisional
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
2000
2019
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
2000
2019
Domestic processed output (Table F)
2000
2018
Balancing items (Table G)
1999
2014
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
No data provided
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 United Kingdom Statistics Authority’s code of practice specifies the UK's general approach to ensuring statistical confidentiality.
There are no specific confidentiality considerations or policy relating to this dataset.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
There are some estimates within the dataset which are confidential; these have been flagged appropriately within the dataset.
Please see tab 7.1 for Office of National Statistics confidentiality policy.
It is anticipated that the 2019 estimates will be published in spring 2021, in a similar format.
To increase user accessibility, the estimates were are also published annually alongside the UK Environmental Accounts publicatiion. The latest publication - 2020 UK Environmental Accounts - was on 3rd June 2020 and contained data up to 2018 (see link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/ukenvironmentalaccounts2020)
The Environmental Accounts Branch at ONS release material flow data alongside their Environmental Accounts publication on an annual basis. This is usually in June or July each year.
During the compilation process numerous quality checks are undertaken, including checks against the source data, internal consistency checks, sense checks, comparisons with previous submissions. Any unusual movements identified are assessed investigated and assessed against expected movements from what is known about the source data.
Quality assurance checks are also completed to ensure accuracy when publishing the results.
ONS also utilise the validation checks built into the Eurostat compilation tool to help ensure quality of the data submitted.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
See 11.1
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide a rich empirical database for numerous purposes. At international level the European Commission uses EW-MFA and derived indicators for developing and monitoring policies in domains such as circular economy, sustainable development, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and production, and greening of other policy areas. The derived EW-MFA indicator domestic material consumption (DMC) is a headline indicator for the Europe 2020 resource efficiency initiative.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
In the UK, particularly from the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), there is increasing focus on material flows and derived series. In 2019, ONS published updated raw material consumption estimates for the UK, with estimates also being used in the measurement of the Sustainable Development Goals (8.4 and 12.2)
This article was updated in April 2020, covering material footprint (data up to 2017) using two different methods (the raw material consumption estimates and a UK method developed for the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs by the University of Leeds) and updated material flow accounts for 2018.: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/materialfootprintintheuk/latest
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The ONS Environmental Accounts team consults with key government stakeholders (ONS, BEIS, Defra and devolved governments) on user satisfaction through formal quarterly stakeholder meetings and through continual informal contact and collaboration.
The ONS as a whole formally assess user satisfaction through a variety of mediums, please see the below link for more information:
Data for 2019: Actual estimates for 2019 are only partially available for 2019 (for some of MF1 and MF4), mostly on a provisional basis. Based on the correspondence following the last submission (where Eurostat populated the 2018 data with their own estimates), we have assumed that you would prefer us to provide estimates, however provisional. 2019 has therefore been fully populated, albeit largely based on forecasting or carrying forward estimates from previous years. Appropriate footnotes are included to identify these cases.
Some data are not available and so have been estimated - see 13.1 for details
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Please use Annex 3 for providing an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data.
Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
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
EW-MFA data up to 2018 were published in the UK Environmental Accounts on 2nd April 2020. It is likely the data to 2019 submitted in this return will be published in a similar fashion in 2021.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
The UK transmitted the data to Eurostat on 17 December 2020.
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
Please see the table in 15.2.1.1.
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'
All years
All tables
No break in time series
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Please see section 15
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
The UK Environmental Accounts are a satellite account of the main national accounts. As such, estimates of the material flow published in the UK Environmental Accounts are consistent with those used in the national accounts.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable
The MFA accounts take about 2 months full time equivalent to compile.
When compiling the material flow accounts the latest data is used where available. Revisions tend to be small.
Revisions in the 2020 EW-MFA questionnaire:
- 2015-2017 - Table A - MF.1.1.4 - Food and Agriculture Organization where the pulses data is obtained have revised their outputs.
- 2014-2017 - Table A - MF.1.4.1 and MF.1.4.2 - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs update methodology for fish data, resulted in new figures.
- 2015 - Table A - MF.3.2 - British Geological Survey have used estimates for limestone and dolomite this is based on assumptions from previous years trends and expert knowledge. However they feel the figures can no longer rely on those assumptions so have revised them. But as they aggregate a number of roack materials, a few figures have been updated.
- 2015-2017 - Table A - MF.3.3 - British Geological Survey have used estimates for limestone and dolomite this is based on assumptions from previous years trends and expert knowledge. However they feel the figures can no longer rely on those assumptions so have revised them. But as they aggregate a number of roack materials, a few figures have been updated.
- 2016-2017 - Table A - MF.3.5 - British Geological Survey have used estimates for limestone and dolomite this is based on assumptions from previous years trends and expert knowledge. However they feel the figures can no longer rely on those assumptions so have revised them. But as they aggregate a number of roack materials, a few figures have been updated.
- 2011-2013, 2015 and 2017 - Table A - MF.3.6 - British Geological Survey have used estimates for limestone and dolomite this is based on assumptions from previous years trends and expert knowledge. However they feel the figures can no longer rely on those assumptions so have revised them. But as they aggregate a number of roack materials, a few figures have been updated.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
18.1. Source data
Data sources used to produce economy-wide material flow accounts are described in the sub-concepts 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.
18.1.1. Source data - Table A, B, D, F and G
Please use Annex 1 to report the detailed data sources for questionnaire tables A, B, D, F and G.
Data is collected by contacting the various data holders and obtaining the data. The methods could include data transfers, downloading information from relevent websites or collecting data from publications.
18.4. Data validation
Data validation includes comparing the statistics with that submitted in previous cycles and comparing the data with other available statistics .
18.5. Data compilation
See 18.1 to 18.6 for details
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.5.2. Estimation approaches for specific items
Please use Annex 2 to describe estimation approaches for specific items.
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
Not applicable
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
Not applicable
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
Not applicable
18.5.6. Significant problems
For categories that could not be derived directly from statistical sources, estimation approaches were applied:
Data for non-metallic minerals and metal ores are provided by BGS and are estimated based on historical data from the Annual Minerals Raised Inquiry (AMRI) and industry knowledge.
A.1.2.1.1 Straw and A.1.2.1.2 Other crop residues were estimated using the Crop residues v1 tool in the EW-MFA questionnaire.
A.1.2.2.2 Grazed biomass was estimated using the Grazed biomass v1 tool in the EW-MFA questionnaire.
A.1.3.1 Timber and A.1.3.2 Wood fuel and other extraction were estimated using the ratio between over bark/under bark (1992 to 2006 are based on the 2007 ratio) and applying conversion factors for coniferous and non-coniferous wood from the EW-MFA compilation manual for all years.
All other items were derived directly from statistical sources.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable; i.e. in EW-MFA no time series adjustment necessary.
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
16 December 2020
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.
The Material flows data submitted are at a United Kingdom (UK) level. They are not presently available at further levels of disaggregation.
The data refer to the calendar years.
Please use Annex 3 for providing an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data.
Data sources used to produce economy-wide material flow accounts are described in the sub-concepts 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.
The Environmental Accounts Branch at ONS release material flow data alongside their Environmental Accounts publication on an annual basis. This is usually in June or July each year.
EW-MFA data up to 2018 were published in the UK Environmental Accounts on 2nd April 2020. It is likely the data to 2019 submitted in this return will be published in a similar fashion in 2021.
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.
