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.
[4D1_F5] Eurostat - Education, health and social protection
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
European Commission, Eurostat 2920 Luxembourg
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 November 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
9 November 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
9 November 2026
3.1. Data description
The EODS data collection includes recognised cases of occupational diseases in each participating country, while recognising that national rules and recognition practices differ. In line with the incidence concept, it collects microdata on new cases recognised at national level during the reference year. As a minimum, the data must include cases where the employment status is “employee”. The following variables form the core structure of the dataset and are required for all records:
Case number (CASE)
Country of recognition (GEO)
Sex (SEX)
Age (AGE)
Employment status (EMPST)
Occupation (ISCO)
Economic activity of the employer (NACE)
Recognised disease (ICD)
Severity of disease (SEV)
Exposure factor - causal agent (EXP)
Weight – weight used to correct under-reporting and/or if sample data are used. (WGT)
3.2. Classification system
The following classifications are used in EODS:
NACE Rev. 2: 2nd revision of the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community managed by Eurostat;
ISCO-08: International Standard Classification of Occupations managed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) (revision of 2008);
ICSE-93: International Classification by Status in Employment (revision of 1993);
ICD-10: International Classification of Diseases the 10th revision of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Within the framework of the EODS data collection, all participating countries provide at least data for the employees in the private sector. However, certain limitations remain regarding the coverage of economic sectors (NACE classification). Some sectors and professions are subject to confidentiality rules. In addition, the transmission of data for the sectors T and U is on a voluntary basis only.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The definition, in Annex V of the framework Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008, states that ‘A case of occupational disease is defined as a case recognised by the national authorities responsible for recognition of occupational diseases. The data shall be collected for incident occupational diseases and deaths due to occupational disease.’
3.5. Statistical unit
The statistical unit is the recognised occupational disease.
3.6. Statistical population
In principle, all cases of recognised occupational diseases that fulfil the definition existing in section '3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions' should be covered. In terms of employment types covered, participant countries are required to report on 'employees'. The other employment types (i.e. self-employed, family workers, etc.) are voluntary.
3.7. Reference area
Twenty-four EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia , Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden) and Switzerland.
3.8. Coverage - Time
2013–2023 (2024 in progress) The data collection covers the period from reference year 2013 to 2023, with some exceptions: Latvia and Luxembourg joined the EODS data collection later, providing data from the reference years 2016 and 2017 onwards, respectively.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable. Only the indicator EU Index establishes a base period in 2013.
The number of recognised occupational diseases.
Calendar year. The reference year is defined as the year in which the occupational disease was formally recognised at national level.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The national transmission of data on occupational diseases within the framework of the EODS data collection raises no concerns in relation to treatment and protection of personal data. The EODS dataset consists of anonymised microdata; they are classified as confidential statistical information. Eurostat applies special conditions to the treatment of these data, in line with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics which provides the legal framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics. It applies to all statistical activities within the European Statistical System (ESS), including pilot studies and other exploratory initiatives, and ensures the strict protection of confidential data.
Data extractions for research purposes are currently not provided by Eurostat. It can be noted that under Regulation (EU) 2025/327 on the European Health Data Space, health data holders will be required to give access to health data upon reasoned requests for defined purposes. This so-called secondary use of health data will become applicable in 2029.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Eurostat does not share the data with any other organisation or institution. However, specific aggregated data extracts may be provided upon request to users and other organisations, where available and subject to confidentiality rules.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
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
Microdata of Member States are sent via secure e-Damis application. The microdata as received by Eurostat from the National Statistical Institutes or Other National Statistical authorities do not contain any administrative information such as names or addresses that would allow direct identification. Access to microdata is nevertheless strictly controlled and limited to specified Eurostat staff.
Currently, there are no restrictions applied when publishing aggregated data at EU level, country data, for the EU shortlist of occupational diseases (see details in the Annexes), are published with the country profiles in a .csv format and only following the prior agreement of the country.
8.1. Release calendar
Eurostat disseminates data on occupational diseases exclusively in aggregated form through its dissemination database. Once all participating countries have submitted their data on recognised occupational disease cases for a given reference year, Eurostat validates, compiles and publishes the data. This process usually takes place during the last quarter of each year. Individual country profiles are typically published in the first quarter of the following year.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not available.
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 way, all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
General quality section is available with the national metadata.
11.1. Quality assurance
Quality considerations play a central role with regard to Eurostat corporate management as well in the day-to-day statistical operations. The European Statistics Code of Practice sets the standard for developing, producing and disseminating European statistics (see Quality Overview for more information). It builds upon a common European Statistical System (ESS).
Eurostat organises an annual Working Group on European Occupational Diseases Statistics. The Working Group provides a forum to discuss quality-related issues, including comparability, data coverage and reporting levels, and to identify potential improvements.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
In general, Eurostat aims to continuously improve the quality of EODS data together with Member States. EODS is an administrative data collection which provides information on recognised occupational diseases cases as they are reported by the Member States and participating countries following national practices and recognition criteria.
The legal basis for the collection of this data stems from the framework Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics on public health and health and safety at work. Currently no further implementing act is set. The data collection is voluntary.
The type of data transmitted to Eurostat as well as its timing and other aspects follow rules established with the EODS participants. European Occupational Diseases Statistics Manual defines further details and guidelines of the data to be transmitted.
Given the nature of the data collection, the underlying national data sources are inherently heterogeneous. This heterogeneity cannot be fully harmonised through the statistical collection, as it reflects differences in the organisation of national healthcare, occupational health, social security and compensation systems. Consequently, the statistics mirror the legal and administrative frameworks in place in each Member State.
The main challenges associated with EODS data are: (i) under-reporting of cases in some Member States; (ii) differences in the coverage of self-employed persons, family workers and other non-employee workers, for whom data collection is voluntary; and (iii) limited cross-country comparability.
Eurostat works closely with the Member States to identify the most appropriate solutions to address these challenges. Cross-country comparability issues have been addressed through data dissemination practices. Individual country profiles have been developed to highlight national specificities and limitations, thereby discouraging direct comparisons between individual countries. At the same time, aggregated figures are made available at the level of the participating EU countries.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
In line with the European Union legal framework and principle 6 (impartiality and objectivity) of the Code of Practice, Eurostat develops, produces and disseminates European statistics respecting scientific independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.
Member States authorities such as statistical authorities, labour ministries, labour inspectorates;
International organisations dealing with health and safety at work such as International Labour Organisation ILO;
Business associations, trade unions and NGOs;
Researchers and students;
Media.
Eurostat regularly meets other EU and international organisations as well as representatives of relevant Member State authorities. In addition, it communicates with other user groups such as researchers, students and the media via several channels including its user support, website and through events such as conferences and meetings. The needs and comments from these user groups are continuously taken into account when deciding about what statistics are collected and disseminated. EODS data users are often interested in information concerning individual economic sectors.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Eurostat carries out regular user satisfaction surveys including for statistical domains such as 'health'.
All available information about user satisfaction is considered when developing data collections. However, there is currently no dedicated user satisfaction survey on EODS statistics. Information about the downloads of individual datasets, detailed tables, publications and Statistics Explained articles is regularly compiled and analysed internally by Eurostat.
12.3. Completeness
EODS is a voluntary data collection, the participants shall transmit to the Commission (Eurostat) the list of variables set out by the EODS manual.
Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France, Cyprus, Lithuania, and Austria provided microdata only for the shortlists of occupational diseases during the period 2013-2016 and aggregated number for the remaining occupational diseases. Slovakia provided data aggregated on age-group level until 2022.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
As an administrative data collection, the data transmitted by Member States to Eurostat are thought to exactly reflect the number of recognised cases of occupational diseases notified to the relevant national authorities. Therefore, EODS data are considered to have a high level of accuracy in relation to the absolute number of occupational diseases recognised in EODS participant countries.
Some countries' data are subject to under-coverage. In general, under-coverage means that a known part of the economy or workforce of a country is not covered by the data, for example if an economic sector or a certain professional status (e.g. civil servants) is by definition not included in the notification system of a country. Underreporting is another factor to be considered that could influence the accuracy and the reliability of the data collected is assumed to be the under-reporting of occupational diseases cases (see other sections in this file for more information). Underreporting means that certain cases that should have been reported were in fact not reported, or the occupational dimension of a disease was not considered.
On the other side a higher level of reporting and recognition in some countries can be explained by national initiatives designed to encourage reporting of occupational diseases undertaken at national level. Comparability issues arise because such incentives are not carried out equally across participating countries and may not target the same types of occupational diseases.
Some countries launch specific awareness campaigns and information initiatives intended for doctors and the public, which raise awareness of the possibility of reporting and could influence the reporting positively.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
The requirement for Member States is to send Eurostat EODS data until 30 June of year N+2, where N is the reference year in which the occupational diseases have been recognised.
14.2. Punctuality
Most countries transmit data before and a few days - weeks after the deadline of 30 June of year N+2. A few countries may send data only during July - September of year N+2. EODS data are usually published during last quarter of year N+2 and country profiles during the first quarter of year N+3.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Geographical comparability is limited. Eurostat promotes harmonisation through the EODS data collection, with common definitions and classifications. Nevertheless, even if countries report all the recognised cases of occupational diseases, full comparability cannot be assumed.
A particularity in recognised occupational disease cases is that recognition and reporting are governed by the national legislation. Differences in legal frameworks across participating countries result in variability in recognised diseases lists, diagnostic criteria, and reporting obligations.
These differences impact the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data on occupational diseases. It is important to note that the limitations regarding comparability in EODS data do not diminish their relevance. EODS provides valuable insights into the numbers, rates and trends of occupational disease at EU level, supporting policy makers in identifying priorities for action. While occupational diseases statistics are complex due to divergent reporting standards and methodologies, the use of a shortlist approach in EODS helps to standardise indicators such as the EODS EU INDEX and country profiles over time, enabling more consistent analysis and comparison. Therefore, the comparability over time is ensured.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Good for trend analysis at aggregated EU level and individual national level. Overall, the recognised occupational diseases data reflect a shift towards healthcare and diversified sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on data comparability as of the reference year 2020.
For more information check COVID report in ‘Annexes’ section.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
EODS data may be compared with relevant data from the Labour Force Survey ad-hoc modules on other work-related health problems available from the same main data tree branch 'Health and safety at work (hsw)'. This comparison should consider the source of data administrative versus self-reported.
However, data used for EODS and for the EU LFS ad-hoc module originate from different types of data sources, administrative data (recognised cases) and survey data (self-reported). They differ in definitions and the data are collected with different frequencies.
The statistics are coherent insofar as they are based on common classifications, apply the concept of occupational disease and have similar methodological standards.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Coherence of statistics is their adequacy to be reliably combined in different ways and for various uses. The coherence of statistical information reflects the degree to which it can be aligned with other related outputs or standard classifications. In EODS, the standard classifications are used (NACE, ISCO and ICD) for more details on these classifications, refer to the EODS Manual.
This provides coherence with the statistics collected under the EU Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) ad-hoc module on accidents at work and other health related work problems, or other health statistics. Therefore, data in EODS can be successfully brought together with other statistical information within a broad methodological framework.
At EU level, the EODS data collection is currently managed by about 1 - full-time person. IT costs for receiving, processing and publishing EODS data at Eurostat cannot be estimated as resources are shared with all other Eurostat statistical data domains. Costs of administrative overhead, missions and other supporting staff resources have not been assessed but may be similar as for the entire organisation (Eurostat / EU Commission). Each country may report on it in its own quality section available from the metadata. There are currently no other costs involved in the EODS data collection.
Eurostat frequently invites National Statistical Institutes to participate in a cost analysis of European Statistics, categorised by product, within the European Statistical System. This analysis focuses solely on the European cost layer , excluding the national part, which includes purely national statistics such as more granular data than what EU requires.
In the round relating to reference year 2024, nineteen Member States provided information regarding the resources dedicated to the EODS data collection as part of this cost analysis. The data show that countries allocate a mix of direct and indirect financial and human resources to support these activities. Although the level of investment varies significantly, most countries report that a relatively low level of staffing is required specifically for the European cost layer, with both direct and indirect inputs contributing to the overall effort. These estimates do not account for the work required in producing national statistics on occupational diseases, although this forms the underlying data source for EODS.
The responses reveal substantial differences across countries, with varying organisational arrangements, operational capacities, and national approaches for implementing EODS-related tasks. Some countries reported minimal resource use, while others indicated more substantial commitments, demonstrating the diversity of systems and structures in place.
Generally, the findings suggest that the EODS collection is integrated into existing workflows in many countries and typically requires limited additional support. The variability observed across responses highlights the importance of considering national contexts when assessing workload and resource requirements for EODS implementation in different Member States.
EODS data are occasionally revised, such as when a country notifies Eurostat about changes in the data, metadata, and reference population.
Participant countries should notify Eurostat whenever they perform data revisions.
EODS collection has been subject to updates resulting from country-specific data revisions and changes in the treatment of certain variables, such as reporting age instead of age groups, modifications to specific ICD codes, or the inclusion of additional cases. These revisions have affected the total counts and percentages.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The practice for data revisions is similar to the practice of publishing new data: either the country sends revised data to Eurostat, which checks, validates and publishes it in agreement with the responsible national authority, or Eurostat makes the corrections for revising data and sends it to the country's authority for agreement prior to publishing.
All reported errors (once validated) result in corrections of the disseminated data. Reported errors are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated.
Data are only published once they are deemed to be sufficiently complete for all data providers. European aggregates are published only when data are available from all participating Member States.
Whenever new data are provided and validated, the already disseminated data are updated, including the European aggregates which are recomputed and updated for the reference year affected by the updated data.
18.1. Source data
Eurostat receives data on recognised cases of occupational diseases from the relevant national authorities (administrative data sources).
Participating countries are required to submit to Eurostat, via EDAMIS the following three files for the reference year T:
the data input file (csv format);
the updated metadata file (Excel format);
the reference population template (Excel format).
The templates for metadata and reference population are provided to reporting countries each year at the start of each data collection cycle.
The number of employed persons (reference populations) are provided either by the countries (at NACE 2-digits level) or are taken from the EU Labour Force Survey (when countries are not able to provide their own reference populations). Reference population data are collected; however, they are currently not used in producing derived indicators.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annual.
18.3. Data collection
EODS is a non- survey data collection. EODS national metadata shows that EODS cases reported to Eurostat originate from administrative data sources.
EODS data are extracted from relevant national administrative databases according to EODS concepts, definitions, variables and classifications (see also section 3. ‘Statistical presentation’ and section 18.1. ‘Source data’ above).
18.4. Data validation
Various automatic and manual checks are performed on EODS data transmitted from Member States to Eurostat to identify possible errors and inconsistencies with the EODS methodology. Countries are asked to check all inconsistencies and corrections and re-send data if necessary.
Validation activities at EU level include:
completeness of data files transmitted (variable fields);
correctness of codes for each variable;
time-series analysis;
coverage of variables, sectors, employment types and other breakdowns;
consistency of totals and various breakdowns across the years;
checking for outliers.
18.5. Data compilation
EU aggregates are computed only when all the EU participant countries have submitted the data.
For more details, please refer to the EODS summary methodology (see Annex).
18.6. Adjustment
In general, there are no adjustments done for EODS data.
As EODS is an annual administrative data collection, there are no seasonal adjustments nor other time series adjustments done.
EODS data are accessible on the Eurostat website and are disseminated through Eurostat products and platforms.
The EODS data collection includes recognised cases of occupational diseases in each participating country, while recognising that national rules and recognition practices differ. In line with the incidence concept, it collects microdata on new cases recognised at national level during the reference year. As a minimum, the data must include cases where the employment status is “employee”. The following variables form the core structure of the dataset and are required for all records:
Case number (CASE)
Country of recognition (GEO)
Sex (SEX)
Age (AGE)
Employment status (EMPST)
Occupation (ISCO)
Economic activity of the employer (NACE)
Recognised disease (ICD)
Severity of disease (SEV)
Exposure factor - causal agent (EXP)
Weight – weight used to correct under-reporting and/or if sample data are used. (WGT)
9 November 2026
The definition, in Annex V of the framework Regulation (EC) No 1338/2008, states that ‘A case of occupational disease is defined as a case recognised by the national authorities responsible for recognition of occupational diseases. The data shall be collected for incident occupational diseases and deaths due to occupational disease.’
The statistical unit is the recognised occupational disease.
In principle, all cases of recognised occupational diseases that fulfil the definition existing in section '3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions' should be covered. In terms of employment types covered, participant countries are required to report on 'employees'. The other employment types (i.e. self-employed, family workers, etc.) are voluntary.
Twenty-four EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia , Ireland, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden) and Switzerland.
Calendar year. The reference year is defined as the year in which the occupational disease was formally recognised at national level.
As an administrative data collection, the data transmitted by Member States to Eurostat are thought to exactly reflect the number of recognised cases of occupational diseases notified to the relevant national authorities. Therefore, EODS data are considered to have a high level of accuracy in relation to the absolute number of occupational diseases recognised in EODS participant countries.
Some countries' data are subject to under-coverage. In general, under-coverage means that a known part of the economy or workforce of a country is not covered by the data, for example if an economic sector or a certain professional status (e.g. civil servants) is by definition not included in the notification system of a country. Underreporting is another factor to be considered that could influence the accuracy and the reliability of the data collected is assumed to be the under-reporting of occupational diseases cases (see other sections in this file for more information). Underreporting means that certain cases that should have been reported were in fact not reported, or the occupational dimension of a disease was not considered.
On the other side a higher level of reporting and recognition in some countries can be explained by national initiatives designed to encourage reporting of occupational diseases undertaken at national level. Comparability issues arise because such incentives are not carried out equally across participating countries and may not target the same types of occupational diseases.
Some countries launch specific awareness campaigns and information initiatives intended for doctors and the public, which raise awareness of the possibility of reporting and could influence the reporting positively.
The number of recognised occupational diseases.
EU aggregates are computed only when all the EU participant countries have submitted the data.
For more details, please refer to the EODS summary methodology (see Annex).
Eurostat receives data on recognised cases of occupational diseases from the relevant national authorities (administrative data sources).
Participating countries are required to submit to Eurostat, via EDAMIS the following three files for the reference year T:
the data input file (csv format);
the updated metadata file (Excel format);
the reference population template (Excel format).
The templates for metadata and reference population are provided to reporting countries each year at the start of each data collection cycle.
The number of employed persons (reference populations) are provided either by the countries (at NACE 2-digits level) or are taken from the EU Labour Force Survey (when countries are not able to provide their own reference populations). Reference population data are collected; however, they are currently not used in producing derived indicators.
Annual.
The requirement for Member States is to send Eurostat EODS data until 30 June of year N+2, where N is the reference year in which the occupational diseases have been recognised.
Geographical comparability is limited. Eurostat promotes harmonisation through the EODS data collection, with common definitions and classifications. Nevertheless, even if countries report all the recognised cases of occupational diseases, full comparability cannot be assumed.
A particularity in recognised occupational disease cases is that recognition and reporting are governed by the national legislation. Differences in legal frameworks across participating countries result in variability in recognised diseases lists, diagnostic criteria, and reporting obligations.
These differences impact the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data on occupational diseases. It is important to note that the limitations regarding comparability in EODS data do not diminish their relevance. EODS provides valuable insights into the numbers, rates and trends of occupational disease at EU level, supporting policy makers in identifying priorities for action. While occupational diseases statistics are complex due to divergent reporting standards and methodologies, the use of a shortlist approach in EODS helps to standardise indicators such as the EODS EU INDEX and country profiles over time, enabling more consistent analysis and comparison. Therefore, the comparability over time is ensured.
Good for trend analysis at aggregated EU level and individual national level. Overall, the recognised occupational diseases data reflect a shift towards healthcare and diversified sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on data comparability as of the reference year 2020.
For more information check COVID report in ‘Annexes’ section.
