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.
Department for Environment, Energy and Regional Statistics
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Zelenih beretki 26, 71 000 - Sarajevo
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
9 April 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
9 April 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
9 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 covers solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitutes a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA is used to derive various material flow indicators.
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 that 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 program 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 the resident unit's activities, regardless of 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').
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.) on which EW-MFA is based.
3.6. Statistical population
EW-MFA refers to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector')).
EW-MFA includes 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
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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)
2015
2023
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
2015
2023
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
2015
2023
Domestic processed output (Table F)
2017
2021
Data for MF.7.1 Air emissions have been partially entered BHAS submitted data to EUROSTAT for air emissions accounts for the period 2017-2021 in 2023. It is planned that BHAS, through IPA MBP 2022 S.P 5.5 Environmental Accounts, will revise the data for the submitted years in 2025 and submit data for 2022 and 2023.
Balancing items (Table G)
-
-
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
-
-
3.9. Base period
Not applicable because EW-MFA are not reported as indices.
The unit of measure is a 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 the national level this information is required at the European level only.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The confidentiality of statistical data is regulated by law and the staff responsible for data production has the obligation, according to the same legal basis, to protect confidentiality. The Law on Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette BiH 26/04 and 42/04 - Chapter XI - Articles 23-29) establishes the principle of confidentiality as one of the main principles.
The Agency for Statistics of BIH produces and disseminates data in accordance with the statistical principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice, and in particular in line with the principle of statistical confidentiality.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The document „Rules on the Protection of Statistical Data in the Agency for Statistics of BiH“ lists procedures for ensuring confidentiality during collection, processing, and dissemination - which includes protocols for the protection of individual data against unauthorized access, rules for defining confidential cells in output tables and procedures for detection and prevention of subsequent disclosures as well as access to microdata for research purposes.
8.1. Release calendar
At the end of December each year, BHAS publishes a Release Calendar with the exact date and time of publication of statistics for the following year.
BiH EW-MFA data are disseminated on the Agency for Statistics of BiH (www.bhas.gov.ba) in an objective, professional, and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The principle that all users have equal access to statistical data on an impartial basis is set out in Article 8, paragraph 2, point h, and Article 19 paragraph 2 of the Law on Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Agency for Statistics of BiH implements it consistently in practice.
Data are disseminated annually.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
First Releases are published on BHAS's website according to the preannounced release calendar.
First Release nationally is planned for May/June 2025.
After data validation by EUROSTAT
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not applicable
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Not applicable
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
It will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not applicable
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
It will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts methodology is based on Eurostat manuals and regulations
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
It will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Quality reports will be publicly available on the BHAS website.
11.1. Quality assurance
The Agency for Statistics of BiH follows the organization and quality management recommendations provided in the „European Statistics Code of Practice“ and implements the guidelines in the „European Statistical System Quality Assurance Framework“. More details in terms of quality assurance and all procedures that describe the quality policy in the Agency for Statistics of BiH can be found in the document „Quality Management Policy and mechanisms in the Agency for Statistics of BiH“
Most information used is based on national statistics (e.g. production statistics, foreign trade statistics, agricultural statistics) or other administrative sources. Thus, MFA mostly has the same quality standards as the underlying (official) statistics.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
National-level Material flow accounts data are used by various institutions/ministries at the level of BiH. The users of this data are also business entities - companies, media, universities, and the general public. The indicators DMC and material productivity/efficiency ratios are used in national indicator sets for sustainable development.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable.
12.3. Completeness
Data are complete for all mandatory EW-MFA questionnaire tables.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
It will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Most information used is based on national statistics (e.g. production statistics, foreign trade statistics, PRODCOM) or other administrative sources. Thus, MFA mostly has the same quality standards as the underlying (official) statistics
It is 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
Mandatory data that need to be published are ready by the end of April for T + 12 months.
On April 1, 2024, the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina forwarded data for 2015-2023 to Eurostat. Mandatory data were submitted through the EW- MFA questionnaire in 2025 through EDAMIS.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
April 01. 2025, forwarded EUROSTAT data for the period 2017-2023.
The data will be published at the national level in July 2025.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final results will be available after the validation process.
14.2. Punctuality
The EW-MFA is published nationally according to the national publishing calendar and reported to Eurostat at the latest April 30 st.
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 harmonized 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
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
Data is coherent with other statistical data such as agricultural statistics (crop production), forestry statistics, foreign trade statistics, and industry statistics (PRODCOM data).
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Reported data are following the EW-MFA handbook and thus coherent with the National Accounts.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The data reported are internally coherent (totals are equal to the sum of the breakdowns).
here are no costs related to the collection of data. MFA data are being processed, disseminated, and reported by 1 statistician, approximately 0.33 FTE.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The Agency for Statistics of BiH does not have an official document on revision policy.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data revisions are carried out in the case of a change in methodology, subsequent data, or calculation error that significantly impacts the calculation. The users of statistical data are informed about revision (revised data) at the web site.
Data have been corrected for MF.1.3.1 and MF.1.3.2 for 2015-2022. A review of the data for MF.1.3.1 and MF.1.3.2 was carried out. It was found that colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Statistics used higher conversion factors for the calculation than those recommended in the EUROSTAT Methodology. The conversion factors now used in the calculation are Conifers 0.52 Non-coniferous 0.68
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
Annex 1 to report the detailed data sources for questionnaire tables A, B, D, F and G.
Data are collected using nationally available data sources. No surveys.
18.4. Data validation
The plausibility and consistency of the data is checked for each transmission. Validation of the data through comparisons with the previous years, checking of time series consistencies.
18.5. Data compilation
Data are based on administrative and statistical sources. Data are compiled according to the Eurostat MFA Compilation Guide.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.5.2. Estimation approaches for specific items
Annex 2: Estimation methods for data of Table A 'Domestic Extraction' for which no statistical data sources exist
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
Eurostat's correspondence table was used to assign traded goods to material categories.
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
Not applicable.
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
Not applicable, no source for this data.
18.5.6. Significant problems
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable; i.e. in EW-MFA no time series adjustment is necessary.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
Table Grazed Biomass v1, Step 2: Estimate supply based on available/used grazing areas and information on area yield.
We requested and received a comment that reads: "Data for 2021, 2022 and 2023 were obtained based on a sample survey (GIF). These data are not comparable with previous data from GIF because the sample structure for this survey has changed in the meantime.
At our request, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Statistics revised the data for the number of horses. The data have been corrected for 2021-2023.
The data have been corrected for Wood (industrial roundwood) (MF.1.3.1) and wood fuel and other extraction (MF.1.3.2). The conversion factors now used in the calculation are conifers 0.52 non-conifers 0.68.
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 covers solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitutes a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA is used to derive various material flow indicators.
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 that 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
9 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 program 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 the resident unit's activities, regardless of 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').
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.) on which EW-MFA is based.
EW-MFA refers to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector')).
EW-MFA includes 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.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The data refer to the calendar years.
Most information used is based on national statistics (e.g. production statistics, foreign trade statistics, PRODCOM) or other administrative sources. Thus, MFA mostly has the same quality standards as the underlying (official) statistics
Data are based on administrative and statistical sources. Data are compiled according to the Eurostat MFA Compilation Guide.
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.
Data are disseminated annually.
Mandatory data that need to be published are ready by the end of April for T + 12 months.
On April 1, 2024, the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina forwarded data for 2015-2023 to Eurostat. Mandatory data were submitted through the EW- MFA questionnaire in 2025 through EDAMIS.
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonized guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
