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.
Services Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) statistics provide information on the types of enterprises engaged in international trade in services and show how enterprises in different industries supply services and how this relates to their primary activity. STEC disclose additional insights into trade statistics, by allowing the profiling of the enterprises according to selected characteristics such as number of employees, type of ownership and economic activity.
A+B - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining and quarrying,
D+E - Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
I+L+O+P+Q+R+S+T+U - Accommodation and food service activities; real estate activities; public administration, defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities; other services.
· NACE Sections:
C - Manufacturing,
F - Construction,
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,
H - Transportation and storage,
J - Information and communication,
K - Financial and insurance activities,
M - Professional, scientific, and technical activities,
N - Administrative and support service activities.
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
3. Transport
4. Travel
5. Construction
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e.
3.5. Statistical unit
Enterprise.
3.6. Statistical population
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
3.7. Reference area
Finland
3.8. Coverage - Time
2023
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
All data sent to Eurostat are in Thousands of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Thousands of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.
Calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics sets the data requirements in the field of services trade by enterprise characteristics for the EU Member States and EFTA countries. The exact technical specifications are listed in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197, table 17 "Country-level business statistics on trade in services by enterprise characteristics (STEC) – annual data".
The variable must be reported annually with first reference year 2022.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The data for the STEC are delivered at aggregate level following the confidentiality principle to the Eurostat
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed in accordance with the requirements of the Statistics Act (280/2004), the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999), the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act (1050/2018). The data materials are protected at all stages of processing with the necessary physical and technical solutions. Statistics Finland has compiled detailed directions and instructions for confidential processing of the data. Employees have access only to the data essential for their duties. The premises where unit-level data are processed are not accessible to outsiders. Members of the personnel have signed a pledge of secrecy upon entering the service. Violation of data protection is punishable.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
The compilation of statistics is also steered by the European Union's Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, the Regulation on the European statistical programme 2013 to 2017 (99/2013) (extended to 2020) and numerous statistics-specific regulations
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Aggregate outputs: Statistics Finland defines a confidential cell as one with a small number of observations or where individual data can be indirectly identified. Confidential cells are detected using systematic review methods, including residual disclosure assessment. Methods such as perturbation, controlled rounding, cell suppression, or cell aggregation are applied to reduce the risk of disclosure.
Micro-level outputs: For micro-level data, confidentiality is protected through methods such as data anonymization, limiting data content, and managing data access rights. All data processing strictly complies with legislation and Statistics Finland's internal practices.
Statistics Finland has in place an advance release calendar that provides information about release dates for the coming year for STEC. The public is informed of the advanced release calendar.
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data are public after they have been updated in the web service.
The data of the statistics on STEC is published yearly.
Annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not applicable.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
The statistical releases and statistical database updates of the statistics on services trade by enterprice characteristics are published on Statistics Finland's website. Data users can subscribe to emails concerning releases on desired topics (so-called news notification service).
Harmonized data is available for the European Union, the euro area, the EU Member States, the United Kingdom, EFTA countries, candidate and potential candidate countries.
Micro data or unit-level data are available from Statistics Finland for scientific studies and statistical surveys.
The Research Services offer ready-made data and tailoring of data according to research need. Data are available from both enterprise and individual databases in a variety of ways. The data, their tailoring and remote access are subject to charge.
Statistical legislation and data protection and confidentiality practices specified in legislation are applied in compiling and releasing the data. The releasing of data is subject to a user licence.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Equal access for all users.
User support for data access and interpretation: Contact details.
At Statistics Finland, quality management is promoted through a quality management system based on the EFQM model and ISO 9001 standards. The quality assurance framework is based on statistical quality principles such as accuracy, reliability, and timeliness. Quality assurance procedures applied to statistical processes include training, benchmarking, assessments, and the use of best practices. Quality is evaluated through self-assessments, peer reviews, and audits. The latest assessment was conducted in 2023. Several development projects are ongoing to improve quality assurance procedures.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Eurostat assessed the completeness and accessibility of the 2023 dataset by evaluating the proportion of mandatory cells reported and the extent of confidentiality.
All mandatory cells across all tables were fully reported (100%), while approximately 18% of the dataset was flagged as confidential.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Classification: (1) Economists, and researchers (2) Government agencies and ministeries, (3), Bank of Finland, ECB (4) Eurostat, (5) OECD, IMF, (6) National Accounts. Importance varies through number of users and level of day-to-day co-operation.
Economic analysis, country specific trade information
Generally a more detailed information or faster information would fill shortcomings
Where legal limitations do not restrict the use, timeliness and data sharing are developed and monitored continuously
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
User satisfaction is not currently collected through surveys or other consultations.
12.3. Completeness
Statistics on international trade in services by enterprise characteristics are based on EU legislation which defines the list of all STEC mandatory data sets to be provided by Member States to Eurostat.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
This indicator corresponds to the ratio of the number of datasets provided to Eurostat to the number of datasets legally required.
100% for mandatory STEC datasets.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 gives the data providers the freedom to choose data sources. In most countries a combination of survey, already available international trade in services (ITS) data and data from the business registers is used.
The STEC data are obtained by microdata linking of the traditional ITS data and the data from the business redisters.
STEC data transmitted by the Member States are checked by Eurostat for their consistency and plausibility.
The structural and content validations of the transmitted data sets are authomatically checked in EDAMIS via the automatic validation process performed with the tools Struval and Conval.
If any problems (e.g. inconsistencies or omissions) are detected later on during the data processing/validation, Eurostat contacts the relevant country to check the figures and/or confirm the implemented correction/updates.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
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
The data transmission deadline for all tables is T+18M after the end of the reference period.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
Data is delivered in time.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The methodological framework underlying the STEC statistics ensures high comparability between countries. Detailed data requirements are defined in the European Business Statistics Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
For STEC consistenct time series begin from year 2022.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The comparability of STEC statistics with other statistics, such as the balance of payments, international investment positions (IIP), foreign direct investment (FDI), and national accounts, is ensured by applying common concepts and definitions as defined in the European Business Statistics Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The internal consistency of the data (links between variables, coherence between data series,...) are checked by Eurostat before dissemination.
Producing STEC data does not create a heavier reporting burden for respondents, because the data is produced methodically.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Revisions are published in the following statistical year (t+1), along with the release of new data.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
This quality concept refers to whether the composition of data sources (surveys, ITRS (International Transactions Reporting System), administrative data, ITGS, monetary and financial statistics, etc.), in principle, sufficiently covers the compilation of BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS.
In principle, BoP, IIP and related statistics in Finland rely on enterprise surveys to which Statistics Finland and Bank of Finland are legally entitled. As not all external transactions/positions are directly observable and as the costs for respondents should be restricted as far as possible, administrative and statistical data sources are used.
The source data characteristics from various reporters are as follows:
ITGS, travel and reporting by financial enterprises to Bank of Finland are the main monthly data sources. Bank of Finland surveys cover all other functional categories
Non-financial enterprises are obliged to report their data on a quarterly and annual basis.
Annual FDI reports have to be sent by economic entities on their stocks and reinvested earnings.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
The following sub-categories refer to the Extended Balance of Payments Services Classification (EBOPS 2010) data collection. The EBOPS 2010 classification provides a breakdown of the Balance of Payments Trade in Services items (debit and credit) as defined in BPM6, by types of services. The classification thereby meets a number of user requirements, including the provision of more detailed information on Trade in services as required in connection with the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
EBOPS 2010 is a primarily product-based classification of types of services, which in many cases may be described in terms of international classification of products as contained in CPC Ver. 2. However, the classification also includes transaction-based criteria (for example, Travel, Government services, and Construction Services).
18.4. Data validation
At Statistics Finland level data are validated before publishing.
verify the plausibility of the data
the internal consistency of the data sets
the STEC totals are also checked if they agree with the corresponding ITS totals
18.5. Data compilation
STEC data is produced by linking International Trade in Services enterprise surveys.
18.5.1. Imputation - rate
Not applicable.
18.6. Adjustment
The c.i.f/f.o.b. adjustment for imports is estimated using freight costs based on the weight of the freight, the mode of transport, the tariffs, the nationality of transporter and the distance transported.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No comments.
Services Trade by Enterprise Characteristics (STEC) statistics provide information on the types of enterprises engaged in international trade in services and show how enterprises in different industries supply services and how this relates to their primary activity. STEC disclose additional insights into trade statistics, by allowing the profiling of the enterprises according to selected characteristics such as number of employees, type of ownership and economic activity.
A+B - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing; mining and quarrying,
D+E - Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities,
I+L+O+P+Q+R+S+T+U - Accommodation and food service activities; real estate activities; public administration, defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities; other services.
· NACE Sections:
C - Manufacturing,
F - Construction,
G - Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles,
H - Transportation and storage,
J - Information and communication,
K - Financial and insurance activities,
M - Professional, scientific, and technical activities,
N - Administrative and support service activities.
1. Manufacturing services on physical inputs owned by others
2. Maintenance and repair services n.i.e.
3. Transport
4. Travel
5. Construction
6. Insurance and pension services
7. Financial services
8. Charges for the use of intellectual property n.i.e.
9. Telecommunications, computer, and information services
10. Other business services
10.1. Research and development services
10.2. Professional and management consulting services
10.3. Technical, trade-related, and other business services
11. Personal, cultural and recreational services
12. Government goods and services, n.i.e.
Enterprise.
The activity breakdown covers NACE sections from A to U.
The product breakdown covers EBOPS 2010 main items.
Finland
Calendar year.
The Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 gives the data providers the freedom to choose data sources. In most countries a combination of survey, already available international trade in services (ITS) data and data from the business registers is used.
The STEC data are obtained by microdata linking of the traditional ITS data and the data from the business redisters.
STEC data transmitted by the Member States are checked by Eurostat for their consistency and plausibility.
The structural and content validations of the transmitted data sets are authomatically checked in EDAMIS via the automatic validation process performed with the tools Struval and Conval.
If any problems (e.g. inconsistencies or omissions) are detected later on during the data processing/validation, Eurostat contacts the relevant country to check the figures and/or confirm the implemented correction/updates.
All data sent to Eurostat are in Thousands of Euro for Euro Area countries and in Thousands of National currency for non-Euro Area countries. The unit of dissemination is Euro.
STEC data is produced by linking International Trade in Services enterprise surveys.
This quality concept refers to whether the composition of data sources (surveys, ITRS (International Transactions Reporting System), administrative data, ITGS, monetary and financial statistics, etc.), in principle, sufficiently covers the compilation of BOP, IIP, FDI and ITS.
In principle, BoP, IIP and related statistics in Finland rely on enterprise surveys to which Statistics Finland and Bank of Finland are legally entitled. As not all external transactions/positions are directly observable and as the costs for respondents should be restricted as far as possible, administrative and statistical data sources are used.
The source data characteristics from various reporters are as follows:
ITGS, travel and reporting by financial enterprises to Bank of Finland are the main monthly data sources. Bank of Finland surveys cover all other functional categories
Non-financial enterprises are obliged to report their data on a quarterly and annual basis.
Annual FDI reports have to be sent by economic entities on their stocks and reinvested earnings.
Annual.
The data transmission deadline for all tables is T+18M after the end of the reference period.
The methodological framework underlying the STEC statistics ensures high comparability between countries. Detailed data requirements are defined in the European Business Statistics Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197.
For STEC consistenct time series begin from year 2022.
