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
Poland
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)
2000
2023
Final data
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
2000
2023
Final data
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
2000
2023
Final data
Domestic processed output (Table F)
2000
2022
Final data
Balancing items (Table G)
2000
2022
Final data
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
-
-
not reported
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 legal base concerning issues related to statistical confidentiality is Law on Public Statistics from 29 June 1995, with later amendments. Internal Policy no 32 of the President of Statistics Poland from 4 December 2020 covers instructions how to preserve statistical confidentiality whereas the rules of passive confidentiality apply to data on export and import.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
According to Internal Policy no 32 of the President of Statistics Poland it shall not be allowed to publish statistical data which can be related to, and used to identify, a specific natural person,or any statistical information and data characterizing economic and financial results of entities of the national economy conducting business activity, if a given aggregation comprises less than three entities, or the share of a given entity in a certain compilation is higher than three-fourths of the whole. All recommendations are always applied.
8.1. Release calendar
The website and statistical data bases are the most important forms of sharing the statistical results.
Statistics Poland publishes statistical data significant to the national strategies, plans and other documents, which also answer the needs of the ordinary users.
Statistics Poland in years 2016-2018 (December) published, on Statistics Poland’s website, information note (in Polish) titled “Rachunki ekonomiczne środowiska” (“Environmental economic accounts”) containing information about AEA, EW-MFA and TAXES (Rachunki ekonomiczne srodowiska).
More detailed information are available upon request from interested users. The users have access to The Release Schedule prepared for a given year. Statistics Poland handles orders for statistical data, and it forwards applications to the relevant departments. The request is analyzed, the scope of data verified in terms of compliance with statistical confidentiality.
The frequency, a scope and form of data publication is determined by the Statistical Survey Programme of Official Statistics (PBSSP) which is consulted with the users. The PBSSP is approved every year by the Council of Minister.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Since 2019 the data on MFA has been disseminated in the annual publication (pdf and Excel format).
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Since 2019 the data has been disseminated in the annual publication “Economic aspects of environmental protection” and in Yearbook of Foreign Trade Statistics.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Since 2019 the data has been disseminated in the annual publication “Economic aspects of environmental protection” (also Excel format) and in database: database.
10.3.1. Data tables - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
We do not disseminated microdata access.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
We do not distribute the data in a different format.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
In carrying out the EW-MFA questionnaire, methodology and instructions for filling of the Table A questionnaire has been developed only in Polish language. Every year, the table is updated if there are any changes in the methodology of Eurostat or because of changes in national sources.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Generally the statistical products are monitored based on the procedures contained in Internal Policy no 35 of the President of Statistics Poland from 28 December 2011. The quality reports, quality measures, control lists, quality reviews exist there.
11.1. Quality assurance
A detailed general description of the standard quality reviews is quoted from the Vademecum of Quality in Official Statistics. The priorities for the assessment of quality process can be determined at the stage of planning of the quality review for each individual survey, including its specificity and current needs. Generally the statistical products are monitored based on the procedures contained in the Internal Policy no 35 of the President of Statistics Poland from 28 December 2011. The quality reports, quality measures, control lists, quality reviews exist there.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Data collection process is programmed in the way that collected data should be of the appropriate accuracy (which is possible to achieve for reporting units, but at the same time resulting from legal regulations and corresponding to the users’ needs). Statistics Poland makes every effort to ensure that statistical data are not affected by errors, especially resulting from factual issues.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Statistics Poland takes into account the needs of users by initiating new publications as well as by raising and development of employees competences.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
See point 12.1.
12.3. Completeness
The data is complete.
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
1 years (n-1) and for table F and G 2 years (n-2)
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
Every data is transmitted and published on time.
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
100%
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
See annex 1.
15.4. Coherence - internal
100%
Not available
17.1. Data revision - policy
Every year, during new data transmission data is reviewed.
17.2. Data revision - practice
See point 17.1.
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-points 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.
Since 2015 change of source in table F, in accordance with Annex 1.
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
See annex 2.
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
See annex 2.
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
See annex 2.
18.5.6. Significant problems
Statistics Poland has not identified any problems.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable; i.e. in EW-MFA no time series adjustment necessary.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
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.
6 March 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.
Poland
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-points 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.
The frequency, a scope and form of data publication is determined by the Statistical Survey Programme of Official Statistics (PBSSP) which is consulted with the users. The PBSSP is approved every year by the Council of Minister.
1 years (n-1) and for table F and G 2 years (n-2)
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.
