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.
Environmental Economic Accounts Group / Environment and Sustainable Development Statistics Department
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu
Devlet Mahallesi Necatibey Caddesi No:114/ Çankaya
Ankara /Türkiye
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
31 January 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
8 May 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
8 May 2024
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, with the exception of bulk flows of water and air. Similar to the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flow data provide a rich empirical basis for numerous analytical purposes. Furthermore, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) submits the EW-MFA to Eurostat on a yearly basis. The accounts consist of the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': Records material flows from the environment into the economy, broken down in detail 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, grouped by material type.
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 memorandum items necessary to complete the material balance for the national economy.
Table H 'Indicators': Presents EW-MFA-derived indicators, automatically calculated from Tables 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 the data reported in Tables A and I.
3.2. Classification system
EW-MFA record the 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 is based on a hierarchical material classification system. This EW-MFA material classification is hierarchical, starting with broad material flow categories at the 1-digit level. Each category is further broken down, up to the 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 refers to national economies as defined by 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 within Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is governed by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to the concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably, they follow the residence principle; that is, they record material flows related to the activities of resident units, regardless of where these activities occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, under the heading 'Material flows and resource productivity').
For more detailed information, please also refer to section 3.1.
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units vary depending on the different data sources (e.g., agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics, etc.) on which the EW-MFA are 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 disposal 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
Turkey
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
2023
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
1990
2023
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
1990
2023
Domestic processed output (Table F)
1990
2023
Balancing items (Table G)
1990
2023
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
3.9. Base period
Not applicable, as EW-MFA are not reported as indices.
The unit of measure is thousand tonnes, (1000 Metric tonnes).
Data refers to the years 1990–2023.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Statistics on economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) are based on Regulation (EC) No. 691/2011 (Annex II) on European environmental economic accounts, as amended by Regulation 538/2014, as well as legal acts in the area of national accounts. Data transmission became obligatory in September 2013. Prior to that, Eurostat collected the data on a voluntary basis. (Turkey, as a candidate country, reports the data on a voluntary basis.)
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 at the national level. This information is required only at the European level.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation on Procedure and Principles of Data Confidentiality and Confidential Data Security in Official Statistics of TurkStat applies.
Confidential data are not displayed. The most common approach is to present only the aggregated value of the confidential data point combined with the nearest suitable non-confidential data point.
8.1. Release calendar
Although there is no specific release calendar for MFA data, the data are published annually as an aggregate table on the website of the Turkish Statistical Institute.
The Statistical Programme Committee of the European Commission adopted the Code of Practice in February 2005, declaring its commitment to adhere to these principles. The implementation principles are based on current international standards. In this context, 15 principles and 82 indicators were established.
In alignment with these principles, the Turkish Statistics Law No. 5429 includes the necessary legal arrangements. TurkStat disseminates statistics through its official website. The release dates of statistics published as press releases are specified in the national data release calendar, which is publicly available.
Regarding material flow accounts, the responsible institution, release format, and release frequency are defined in the Official Statistics Programme. However, these statistics are not included in the national data release calendar, as they are not published in the form of press releases.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The statistical table and press release are available online.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Material flow accounts are published annually by TurkStat as a statistical table.
Material flow accounts are released annually by TurkStat as a statistical table.
10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate
Not applicable.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
For material flow accounts, a handbook describing the entire process of compiling and disseminating material flows, along with other related documentation, is available for in-house use.
11.1. Quality assurance
We do not have a specific quality report for MFA. However, MFA data are derived from various validated official statistics, each of which has its own quality report. These quality reports can be found on Turkstat website under the relevant statistical theme, in the metadata section of the respective press release. For example, see this website.
The MFA data submitted by TurkStat is considered highly compliant in the SMIS Compliance Monitoring process.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide a rich empirical database for numerous purposes. At the international level, the European Commission uses EW-MFA and derived indicators to develop and monitor policies in areas such as circular economy, sustainable development, resource efficiency, sustainable consumption and production, and greening of other policy domains. The derived EW-MFA indicator, domestic material consumption (DMC), is a headline indicator for the Europe 2020 resource efficiency initiative.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable.
12.3. Completeness
All components of domestic extraction and foreign trade data are compiled.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
It will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
EW-MFA are compiled from a variety of data sources. The majority of EW-MFA characteristics are based on official statistical data sources that have quality reports. In Annex 3, all data sources are listed, and their quality reports are available on Turkstat website under the related theme.
Some characteristics need to be estimated because adequate statistical data sources do not exist. All estimated data comply with the Economy-wide Material Flow Accounts Handbook, 2018 edition, and the 2013 Compilation Guide.
Not applicable, as the data are not based on a sample survey.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable, as the 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
With the help of the Official Statistics Programme for Turkey, which provides the dissemination schedule of data, the availability of MFA can be planned accordingly.
MF1.1 – 2
Crop & Crop residues (used)
t + 0
MF.1.3
Wood
t + 15
MF.1.4
Wild fish catch
t + 6
MF.2-3
Metal ores & N.M. minerals
t + 2
MF.4
Fossil energy materials
t + 12
Table B § D
Exports & Imports
t + 2
MF.7.1
Emissions to air
t +16
MF.7.2
Waste land filled
t + 6
MF.7.3
Emissions to water
t + 6
MF.7.4
Dissipative use of products
t + 7
(“t” is the last day of the year) MFA for the reference year can be submitted after 18 months.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
There are no scheduled publications for material flow accounts.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The data are geographically comparable. EW-MFA data are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and are therefore comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable, as physical imports and exports recorded in EW-MFA are not specified by origin and/or destination.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The data are comparable for the period from 1990 to the reference year. For detailed information, please refer to the table in section 15.2.1.1.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
It 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
The accounts are consistent with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Central Framework (SEEA-CF), which was adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission as a global statistical standard in March 2012.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; EW-MFA data are reported only on an annual basis.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Starting from 2022, MF.4.2.3 (which was the only exception of residince principle in MFA) is available for years 2017-2021. The data source is PEFA and due to reporting timeline of the source, the 2022 data for MF.4.2.3 will be reported next year.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The reported data are internally coherent.
It is around 30 FTE to calculate and report MFA data.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Policies for data revision are outlined in the directive titled "Instruction on Methods and Principles Regarding Revisions of Statistical Data Produced by the Turkish Statistical Institute."
Raw material equivalent was calculated with Eurostat's RME estimation tool for only 2015 data collection.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are compiled annually.
18.3. Data collection
All relevant data are received via official letters in electronic format.
18.4. Data validation
Internal inconsistencies and potential missing data are verified by comparison with previous year's data.
18.5. Data compilation
For Biomass: TurkStat data on crop production in national humidity were used for parts A.1.1 and A.1.2. For part A.1.4, TurkStat’s fishery statistics data were utilized. To fill the forestry statistics for A.1.3, Eurostat’s Roundwood Removals by Type of Wood and Assortment [for_remov] database was used.
For Metal Ores: Data from TurkStat were mainly used. For missing years prior to 2006, data were estimated using information from USGS and the World Mineral Production database. These estimations involved selecting an initial reference year for which both national and international data were available, then adjusting/estimating historical data based on the ratio between national and international data sources.
For Non-Metallic Minerals: Annual industrial products (Prodcom) statistics were primarily used. For missing years before 2006, data were estimated using USGS, UN databases, and the World Mineral Production database. Estimation followed the same procedure as for metal ores, using a reference year to adjust historical data according to the ratio of national to international data.
For Fossil Energy Materials/Carriers: Data from energy balance tables were used.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.5.2. Estimation approaches for specific items
For crop residues, data were estimated according to the Eurostat MFA guide, which recommends factors used in the estimation procedure. Moreover, data for sand and gravel, clays and kaolin, and limestone and gypsum were derived from annual industrial statistics. For grazed biomass, both supply and use estimation methods were applied and compared, in accordance with the MFA guide.
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
TurkStat Foreign Trade Statistics data were used. These data were allocated to MFA categories and manufacturing stages according to the annex.
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
We used conversion factors only for natural gas to convert cubic meters to tonnes. The conversion factors are country-specific and were obtained from the Energy Statistics Department.
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
Residince adjustment of fuel trade has been calculated in PEFA and submitted for 2017-2021 in MFA. The unit of measurement of PEFA is terajoule, so it was converted into tonnes by using standart coefficients.
18.5.6. Significant problems
None.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable; i.e., no time series adjustment is necessary in EW-MFA.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No further 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, with the exception of bulk flows of water and air. Similar to the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flow data provide a rich empirical basis for numerous analytical purposes. Furthermore, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) submits the EW-MFA to Eurostat on a yearly basis. The accounts consist of the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': Records material flows from the environment into the economy, broken down in detail 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, grouped by material type.
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 memorandum items necessary to complete the material balance for the national economy.
Table H 'Indicators': Presents EW-MFA-derived indicators, automatically calculated from Tables 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 the data reported in Tables A and I.
8 May 2024
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 within Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is governed by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to the concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably, they follow the residence principle; that is, they record material flows related to the activities of resident units, regardless of where these activities occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, under the heading 'Material flows and resource productivity').
For more detailed information, please also refer to section 3.1.
Statistical units vary depending on the different data sources (e.g., agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics, etc.) on which the EW-MFA are 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 disposal 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.
Turkey
Data refers to the years 1990–2023.
EW-MFA are compiled from a variety of data sources. The majority of EW-MFA characteristics are based on official statistical data sources that have quality reports. In Annex 3, all data sources are listed, and their quality reports are available on Turkstat website under the related theme.
Some characteristics need to be estimated because adequate statistical data sources do not exist. All estimated data comply with the Economy-wide Material Flow Accounts Handbook, 2018 edition, and the 2013 Compilation Guide.
The unit of measure is thousand tonnes, (1000 Metric tonnes).
For Biomass: TurkStat data on crop production in national humidity were used for parts A.1.1 and A.1.2. For part A.1.4, TurkStat’s fishery statistics data were utilized. To fill the forestry statistics for A.1.3, Eurostat’s Roundwood Removals by Type of Wood and Assortment [for_remov] database was used.
For Metal Ores: Data from TurkStat were mainly used. For missing years prior to 2006, data were estimated using information from USGS and the World Mineral Production database. These estimations involved selecting an initial reference year for which both national and international data were available, then adjusting/estimating historical data based on the ratio between national and international data sources.
For Non-Metallic Minerals: Annual industrial products (Prodcom) statistics were primarily used. For missing years before 2006, data were estimated using USGS, UN databases, and the World Mineral Production database. Estimation followed the same procedure as for metal ores, using a reference year to adjust historical data according to the ratio of national to international data.
For Fossil Energy Materials/Carriers: Data from energy balance tables were used.
Data sources used to compile economy-wide material flow accounts are described in the sub-concepts 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.
Annual
With the help of the Official Statistics Programme for Turkey, which provides the dissemination schedule of data, the availability of MFA can be planned accordingly.
MF1.1 – 2
Crop & Crop residues (used)
t + 0
MF.1.3
Wood
t + 15
MF.1.4
Wild fish catch
t + 6
MF.2-3
Metal ores & N.M. minerals
t + 2
MF.4
Fossil energy materials
t + 12
Table B § D
Exports & Imports
t + 2
MF.7.1
Emissions to air
t +16
MF.7.2
Waste land filled
t + 6
MF.7.3
Emissions to water
t + 6
MF.7.4
Dissipative use of products
t + 7
(“t” is the last day of the year) MFA for the reference year can be submitted after 18 months.
The data are geographically comparable. EW-MFA data are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and are therefore comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
The data are comparable for the period from 1990 to the reference year. For detailed information, please refer to the table in section 15.2.1.1.
