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.
The Sankey diagrams show the flows of materials as they pass through the EU economy and are eventually discharged back into the environment or re-fed into the economic processing.
Three existing statistical data sources are employed to compile the different flows of the diagram (see also section 18.1): waste statistics, international trade in goods statistics and economy-wide material flow accounts.
European statistics on international trade in goods (ITGS) are used to approximate total imports and exports as well as for the net-imports of waste destined for recycling.
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.
3.2. Classification system
EW-MFA record physical flows of materials broken down by type of flow – e.g. domestic extraction (i.e. natural input), domestic processed output (i.e. residual), imports and exports (i.e. product) and by type of material. The breakdown by type of material employs a classification of materials which is addressed in this section. The classification of materials MF.1 to MF.6 is mentioned in the legal base of EW-MFA, namely Regulation (2011) 691, Annex III.
Domestic processed outputs are hierarchically classified. Five categories are distinguished at 2-digit level, from MF7.1 to MF7.5. The final category (MF.8) is for the balancing items on the input and output side.
On the basis of the treatment operations defined in the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC a distinction is made in waste management operations:
Recovery: Recycling (RCV_R); Backfilling (RCV_B); Energy recovery (RCV_E).
Disposal: Incineration (DSP_I); Landfill (DSP_L); Other (DSP_OTH).
3.3. Coverage - sector
The data refer to the national economies of the EU Member States and the aggregated EU economy.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Three existing statistical data sources are employed to create the Sankey diagram: waste statistics, international trade in goods statistics, and economy-wide material flow accounts.
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.
European statistics on international trade in goods (ITGS) are used to approximate the imports and exports of waste destined for recycling. The methodology applied for these corrections is consistent with those for other waste management indicators derived from waste statistics Regulation.
The creation of the data set requires the identification of a list of CN codes to approximate the imports and exports for recycling (see list of CN-codes used).
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units changes according to the different data sources.
3.6. Statistical population
Not applicable.
3.7. Reference area
Data are presented for all EU Member States, plus United Kingdom.
EU aggregate is also available.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Presented time series starts in 2010.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Thousand tonnes
Tonnes per capita
Calendar year.
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.
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Confidential data are flagged 'c' and not published. For aggregates of confidential data Eurostat's rules for confidentiality are respected.
8.1. Release calendar
There is no release calendar; data dissemination is explained in item 9 below.
8.2. Release calendar access
No particular provisions.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat´s website (see item 10 - ´Accessibility and clarity´) respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Data are up-dated and disseminated at least once every second year when data on waste treatment becomes available.
Detailed information on the methodology is planned to be documented in a methodological report.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
The underpinning data sources have their own specific quality assurance procedures.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Quality management is good.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The users include policy makers in environmental ministries, environmental organisations, researchers, students and interested citizens.
The circular economy aims at increasing the amount of material recovered and fed back into the economy, therefore reducing the generation of waste and limiting the extraction of primary raw materials.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Data are complete for mandatory tables of EW-MFA questionnaire. The waste treatment dataset has a high level of completeness, but it is only published in even years. Data for all Member States and EU aggregates are available starting from the year 2010. In case of missing data, Eurostat gap-fills the missing information.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy is considered to be good.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Within two years after the reference period.
14.2. Punctuality
Not available.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Due to the common definitions and classifications the comparability over the countries is good.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The comparability over time is good due to clear statistical concepts and definitions. Revisions in methodology are usually applied backwards to the entire time series.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The internal coherence is very high.
The cost and burden are low due to the level of automation.
Reported errors are assessed for seriousness to determine whether they should trigger a correction of already disseminated data. Reported errors that are deemed to be significant are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated. Minor errors are corrected in the disseminated data in connection with the next regular yearly publication cycle.
Data may be published even if they are missing for certain countries or flagged as provisional/estimated or of low reliability for certain countries. They are completed/replaced with final data in connection with the next regularly yearly production cycle.
Every year Eurostat re-publishes the complete time series, which may lead to revisions of data previously published for any reference period.
18.1. Source data
The flows are calculated using three European statistics:
(1) Treatment of waste by waste category, hazardousness and waste operations (env_wastrt) collected on the basis of the Waste Statistics Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002,
Data are collected annually for the economy-wide material flow accounts and international trade in goods statistics. Biennial for treatment of waste.
18.3. Data collection
The national data is collected or compiled by the Member States and then forwarded to Eurostat.
18.4. Data validation
Data validations procedures are in place for each of the underpinning statistical data sources.
18.5. Data compilation
The European aggregates are calculated by adding up the national waste amounts, except for imports and exports where only extra EU trade is taken into consideration.
For the calculation of tonne per capita, the data in tonnes are divided by the average population of the relevant year (AVG). The average population is taken from the table 'Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates at national level' (demo_gind).
The Sankey diagrams show the flows of materials as they pass through the EU economy and are eventually discharged back into the environment or re-fed into the economic processing.
Three existing statistical data sources are employed to compile the different flows of the diagram (see also section 18.1): waste statistics, international trade in goods statistics and economy-wide material flow accounts.
European statistics on international trade in goods (ITGS) are used to approximate total imports and exports as well as for the net-imports of waste destined for recycling.
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.
25 November 2021
Three existing statistical data sources are employed to create the Sankey diagram: waste statistics, international trade in goods statistics, and economy-wide material flow accounts.
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.
European statistics on international trade in goods (ITGS) are used to approximate the imports and exports of waste destined for recycling. The methodology applied for these corrections is consistent with those for other waste management indicators derived from waste statistics Regulation.
The creation of the data set requires the identification of a list of CN codes to approximate the imports and exports for recycling (see list of CN-codes used).
Statistical units changes according to the different data sources.
Not applicable.
Data are presented for all EU Member States, plus United Kingdom.
EU aggregate is also available.
Calendar year.
The overall accuracy is considered to be good.
Thousand tonnes
Tonnes per capita
The European aggregates are calculated by adding up the national waste amounts, except for imports and exports where only extra EU trade is taken into consideration.
For the calculation of tonne per capita, the data in tonnes are divided by the average population of the relevant year (AVG). The average population is taken from the table 'Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates at national level' (demo_gind).
The flows are calculated using three European statistics:
(1) Treatment of waste by waste category, hazardousness and waste operations (env_wastrt) collected on the basis of the Waste Statistics Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002,
Data are up-dated and disseminated at least once every second year when data on waste treatment becomes available.
Within two years after the reference period.
Due to the common definitions and classifications the comparability over the countries is good.
The comparability over time is good due to clear statistical concepts and definitions. Revisions in methodology are usually applied backwards to the entire time series.
