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.
Department E - Businesses, Earnings, Transport. Division E2 - Short-term Economic Activity.
Section E22 - Short-term Economic Activity in Industry, Production Statistics.
1.3. Contact name
Restricted from publication
1.4. Contact person function
Restricted from publication
1.5. Contact mail address
Statistisches Bundesamt.
Gustav-Stresemann-Ring 11.
D-65180 Wiesbaden.
1.6. Contact email address
Restricted from publication
1.7. Contact phone number
Restricted from publication
1.8. Contact fax number
Restricted from publication
2.1. Metadata last certified
30 August 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
30 August 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
30 August 2024
3.1. Data description
Germany’s production survey is conducted by the 14 statistical offices across Germany’s 16 federal states. It collects monthly and quarterly data on the value and volume of products manufactured in Germany. The annual PRODCOM statistics are compiled from the aggregated results of the final quarterly production survey, which are consolidated into annual data.
The survey is conducted in compliance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020, which sets out technical specifications and arrangements under Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics.
The PRODCOM survey provides information on the PRODuction within the European COMmunity and is based on data provided by German manufacturers.
Data on production intended for sale, whether on own account or under subcontracted operations, is collected as part of the national industrial production. However, this data is not published at the national level in this level of detail.
3.2. Classification system
The classification system used includes the following:
- NACE Rev. 2: The European Classification of Economic Activities, which is the EU's system for categorizing economic activities. - CPA and PRODCOM List 2021: The Community Classification of Products by Activity (CPA) and its derived PRODCOM List for 2021. - German Classification of Industrial Products (Güterverzeichnis für Produktionsstatistiken 2019): This national classification is more detailed, containing 5,018 nine-digit codes. It includes the entire PRODCOM list (with each eight-digit code followed by a "0").
To view the full national classification, visit the following link.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The survey covers all local units belonging to a legal entity with 20 or more employees, primarily or exclusively engaged in industrial production and services within the Mining, Quarrying, and Manufacturing sectors (NACE Rev. 2 sections B and C). Additionally, it includes local units with 20 or more employees that belong to enterprises outside of these sectors. The survey captures 93 percent of total production. This coverage estimate is based on a Eurostat project, which used administrative data and a regression model to estimate the production value of enterprises with fewer than 20 employees.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The purpose of the statistics is to report the value and quantity of industrial products and services produced in the reporting country for each item on the PRODCOM List during the reference period. PRODCOM statistics focus on products rather than activities, making them not directly comparable with activity-based statistics like Structural Business Statistics. The NACE codes associated with PRODCOM codes are used to identify the enterprises to be surveyed in order to determine the production volume of each product. The PRODCOM List specifies approximately 4,000 categories of manufactured products and certain industrial services that are included in the survey. For each product, the survey records the production value, which is expressed in the national currency and, if necessary, converted to Euro by Eurostat. The production volume is measured in a unit specific to each product, such as kilograms or square meters. The PRODCOM variables are sales production under own production (value and quantity), total production (sales production + further processing), sales production under sub-contracted operations (value and quantity), and total sales production (value and quantity).
3.5. Statistical unit
The observation unit is the local unit.
3.6. Statistical population
The survey population includes all local units with 20 or more employees whose main activity is in mining, quarrying, or manufacturing (NACE Rev. 2 sections B and C). Additionally, it encompasses all local units with 20 or more employees that belong to a legal unit outside of these sectors.
3.7. Reference area
PRODCOM statistics are available exclusively at the national level. Additionally, some of the 14 regional statistical offices in Germany, which conduct the survey, publish production statistics for their respective federal states. These regional statistical offices are solely responsible for the dissemination of regional data.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The reference period for PRODCOM statistics is one year. German industrial production statistics are available digitally from 2002, with historical data dating back to 1948 in the "Fachserie" published by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Volumes: The volume is measured in a unit specific to each product, such as kilograms, square meters, etc., indicating the quantity of goods produced. For a detailed list of units used in national publications, refer on this website.
Values: The production value is recorded in thousands of euros.
The reference period is the calendar year, with the latest data available for 2023.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
This survey is conducted in compliance with the following regulations:
At the EU level (including Regulation related to the PRODCOM List):
Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on European business statistics :
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020, laying down technical specifications and arrangements under Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on European business statistics:
The confidentiality policy is based on the following legal frameworks:
National Level:
Federal Statistics Law (BStatG), § 16
Governs the confidentiality of data collected through official statistics.
Statistics Law on Manufacturing Industry (ProdGewStatG), § 10
Ensures that data from industrial statistics are treated as confidential.
Restriction of Competition Act (GWB), § 47
Protects the confidentiality of company data within the framework of competition law.
Note: If national data have been classified as confidential when submitted to Eurostat, they must not be disclosed in other public documents.
EU Level:
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics
Recital 24 and Article 20(4) of this regulation, dated 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), mandate the establishment of common principles and guidelines to ensure the confidentiality of data used in the production of European statistics. The regulation also addresses access to such confidential data, taking into consideration technological developments and the needs of users in a democratic society. Please check this website.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Germany adheres to the principle of active confidentiality in its statistical practices.
The following types of data are considered confidential:
Individual statistical data (with the exception of anonymized individual data used for scientific purposes).
Statistical data that can be combined in a way that would allow the identification of a specific statistical unit.
Statistical information that aggregates data from fewer than three legal entities.
Statistical information where data aggregation is dominated by one or two legal entities. Specifically, if the difference between the total value of a cell and the second-largest individual value is less than p% of the largest individual value, the data is considered confidential.
Cross-over confidentiality: If the release of a PRODCOM code would reveal data from German production codes (GP) in national dissemination, the PRODCOM code must also be treated as confidential.
The confidentiality policy for PRODCOM data in German statistics dictates that a specific code is flagged as confidential if any of the above criteria are met.
Approximately 31% of all German PRODCOM data results are classified as confidential.
8.1. Release calendar
Final data for the reference year t are sent to Eurostat by the regulatory deadline of June 30 each year, which is six months after the end of the reference year. For national publication, German anual industrial products statistics, which form the basis for PRODCOM, are released regularly without advance notice of the release date.
8.2. Release calendar access
There is no release calendar for the German anual industrial products statistics.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Final data for the German annual industrial products statistics, which form the basis for PRODCOM, are released 4 to 5 months after the end of the reporting year.
National Dissemination:
Monthly: National publication of selected product aggregates based on user requests.
Quarterly: National publication of production intended for sale (both volume and value) and total production (including processing and only volume of processing) for all national production codes, derived from monthly and quarterly surveys.
Annual: National publication that consolidates monthly and quarterly results.
Additionally, the monthly collected data (from local units with 50 or more employees in the manufacturing industry) contribute to the monthly industrial production index.
Eurostat Dissemination:
PRODCOM statistics are submitted annually to Eurostat and are also published annually.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Generally, there is no press release for the annual production statistics. However, there are occasional, event-driven press releases that use data from the annual production statistics. This format is nationally known as the "Number of the Week." A representative example can be found at this website.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not available.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Starting in 2002, data have been accessible online at this website.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
National legislation permits access to microdata exclusively for scientific purposes. Since the Research Data Centre (RDC) was established in 2007, scientists can access official statistical microdata via the following link:
10.5. Dissemination format - other
An overview page on German industry and manufacturing, including facts and figures, can be found at the following link.
The content includes a mix of HTML webpages for narratives, charts, and graphs, with data provided in accessible formats such as CSV and Excel. Additionally, information on quality and methodology, FAQs, and a glossary are available.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The primary documentation on methodology and quality for users is the quality report for the production surveys, available only in German at this website.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The quality guidelines of the Federal Statistical Office of Germany ensure high data quality through various systematic quality assurance measures, including adherence to quality standards for German official statistics. For detailed information on quality management and documentation, visit this website.
11.1. Quality assurance
For detailed information on quality management and assurance, visit this website.
See also 10.7 of this Metadata document.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The Federal Statistical Office of Germany implements a comprehensive quality management system based on Total Quality Management (TQM). This system is guided by the "European Statistics Code of Practice" and the "Quality Standards for Official Statistics." For more details, visit this website and this webpage.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Primary Users of PRODCOM/Industrial Products Statistics Data:
PRODCOM/industrial products statistics are utilized by a diverse range of users, both nationally and internationally:
International Users:
European Institutions: Eurostat.
Multi-National Organizations: United Nations, FAO, ICAC, IFA.
National Users (External to NSI):
Governmental Institutions: Ministries.
Non-Governmental Institutions: National Bank, trade unions, media, research institutes, universities, economic analysts, and companies.
Internal Users (Within NSI):
National Accounts: For supply and use tables, GDP measurement, and Consumer Price Index (CPI) construction.
Sectoral Statistics: Such as Structural Business Statistics (SBS), External Trade Statistics, Agricultural and Forestry Statistics, and Price Statistics.
Key Uses of PRODCOM Data:
Policy Development: National governments use the data to monitor industry trends and develop policies.
Market Analysis: Enterprises and economic analysts use the data to evaluate market trends and identify development opportunities.
Research and Education: Researchers, students, and academic institutions rely on the data for studying industry trends and economic phenomena.
Environmental Assessment: Statistics on products with environmental impacts, such as hazardous chemicals, are used for environmental reporting.
National Accounts: PRODCOM data contributes to national accounts and CPI calculations, integral to measuring GDP and economic activity.
By serving these diverse needs, PRODCOM data plays a crucial role in economic analysis, policy making, and environmental assessment.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Every two years, a committee of experts is convened, consisting of users, leading industry associations, and representatives from the Federal Statistical Office’s industry statistics department. The committee discusses statistical issues and seeks to improve the statistics, including production statistics. This committee serves as the primary source of user feedback, as no user satisfaction survey is conducted for these statistics.
12.3. Completeness
The PRODCOM data delivered to Eurostat is not fully complete due to differences between the national classification and the PRODCOM List. For some PRODCOM codes, the volume of total and sold production cannot be provided because the national classification uses different measurement units that cannot be converted to those required by the PRODCOM List. Additionally, the national classification cannot be updated as quickly as the PRODCOM List. When new products or product segmentations (e.g., splits) are introduced, these may not be reflected in the national classification immediately. Since the production survey is based on the national classification rather than the PRODCOM List, figures cannot be provided for some codes, or estimates must be made for the shares of national product codes in the PRODCOM data. In 2019, a significant update to the national classification was made to align it as closely as possible with the PRODCOM List. However, national user needs are also considered, so the PRODCOM List cannot be applied in every case. Generally, the national classification is more detailed than the PRODCOM List (9-digit code), providing additional information on some products that is not available at the PRODCOM level.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
As this survey is a census of local industrial units within enterprises with 20 or more employees, obtained from the national statistical Business Register, all companies in the relevant NACE groups of sections B and C are surveyed.
Response Rate:
At the end of the reporting year, the response rate is not applicable because imputation for non-response ensures that there are no local units with missing data in the dataset. When imputation is not considered, the imputation rate and response rate are equivalent in the German system of compiling production statistics.
Item Non-Response Rate:
Item non-response is not applicable. In Germany, an online survey is used. For a reportable enterprise to submit data under a specific national product code, every variable must be completed in the online survey. Missing items prevent data transmission and the finalization of the questionnaire. If a local unit does not report under a product code despite production, detecting this as a "missing item" is challenging. When a local unit no longer reports a specific product code, the local unit is contacted to determine if the omission was an oversight or if the product is no longer being produced.
Imputation Rate:
In 2023, the imputation rate for Sales production value in the PRODCOM survey was 2.8% (compared to 2.2% in 2022).
Information on the under-coverage rate is not available. There are no multiple listings.
13.2. Sampling error
The survey is designed as a cut-off survey, including all units above a certain threshold. As no grossing up is performed for units below this threshold, there is no sampling error involved.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Possible errors may include: Undercoverage: Local units might be missing if they are not registered as part of the manufacturing industry, even though they belong to it.
Measurement and Data Processing Errors: Incorrect data delivery or misclassification of products can lead to measurement errors and data processing errors. To address this, a plausibility check is conducted.
Estimation for Non-Response: If units do not respond or provide delayed answers, estimated values are used in the production survey.
14.1. Timeliness
Final PRODCOM data for the reference year t are sent to Eurostat by the regulatory deadline of June 30 each year, which is six months after the end of the reference year. Final data for the German annual industrial products statistics, which form the basis for PRODCOM, are released 4 to 5 months after the end of the reporting year.
14.2. Punctuality
The statistics are published on the scheduled date, and there have been no delays in publication over the past three years.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The production survey is conducted using consistent methods across all German federal states, ensuring full geographical comparability at the national level. Additionally, the results of the PRODCOM survey are comparable with those from other European Union member states.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability over time within a reference year is generally maintained, but there are several factors that affect the consistency of production statistics over time:
Methodological Changes: Revisions to the NACE classification and updates in product classifications can affect comparability. Significant changes occur approximately every seven years. For example, the extensive NACE revision in 2008 led to changes in the German Product Classification (GP) starting with the 2009 survey. The GP 2019 introduced new products and segmentations, aligning more closely with the PRODCOM list. Such updates, including new or rearranged codes, limit comparability over time. The PRODCOM list itself is updated every two years, sometimes undergoing minor and sometimes major changes.
Survey Population Changes: Adjustments in statistical laws to reduce the burden on enterprises can affect the basic survey population. For instance, since 2007, the threshold for including local units in some small-structured branches was increased from 10 to 20 employees.
Harmonized System (HS) Revisions: Every five years, revisions to the HS impact the CN and PRODCOM codes. The most recent major revision was in 2012, leading to significant changes in classification.
Production in Wage Labor: Production in wage labor is identified by a "2" as the 10th digit in the 9-digit national commodity number, meaning there is no separate commodity number for this type of production.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Generally, there are no other official statistics that survey production directly. However, coherence checks are performed with related statistics as follows:
Coherence with Short-Term Statistics (STS):
Consistency checks are conducted between the monthly reports of local units in NACE sections B and C and the STS, as both cover a huge proportion the same survey population. The German Federal States, responsible for surveying local units, compare sold production with turnover data (monthly/quarterly) at the microdata level. If significant discrepancies are found, the affected local unit is contacted to verify, correct, or explain the differences.
Coherence with Structural Business Statistics (SBS):
No direct consistency checks are performed with SBS due to differences in definitions and methodologies. The SBS surveys enterprises rather than local units and uses a sample that is extrapolated to estimate results for the entire target population. These methodological differences often result in discrepancies between reported returns and sold products, making direct comparisons impractical.
Coherence with Trade Statistics:
There are no formal consistency checks with trade statistics. However, production statistics are generally comparable with external trade statistics in terms of product definitions. This allows for the calculation of domestic product availability, though with some limitations.
Coherence with National Accounts:
Consistency checks with national accounts are not conducted, but the results of the production statistics are utilized by national accounts. National accounts are a primary user of production statistics, relying on these data for their reports.
15.4. Coherence - internal
National production data is consistent within itself, supported by the use of an online survey and comprehensive validation checks that ensure internal coherence.
In 2017, the burden on respondents for the industrial production statistics was estimated at 16.6 million euros. This figure is based on approximately 45,000 local units that participated in the production statistics for that year—24,300 of which reported quarterly and 20,700 monthly.
The introduction of electronic data transmission methods (IDEV, sStatistik.Core) has significantly reduced the reporting burden on enterprises. The cost-saving effect of these electronic methods was estimated at 1.9 million euros.
Currently, there is no available cost calculation for the burden on statistical agencies in Germany related to the production statistics.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Data revision policy for German industrial production data: Scheduled Revisions: Data for industrial production is subject to regular updates to reflect the most accurate and current information. Annual revisions are typically conducted to incorporate final data and correct any errors identified post-initial release.
Ad-Hoc Revisions: Revisions may occur if significant errors or discrepancies are detected. For instance, if a major reporting error is identified, data may be revised to correct such issues.
Historical Data: Revisions to historical data are made to reflect changes in methodology, improvements in data collection processes, or corrections to previous errors.
Communication: Changes and revisions are generally communicated through updates to the relevant publications and online platforms. The revised data is published alongside explanations or notes detailing the reasons for the revisions.
Quality Assurance: The Federal Statistical Office of Germany applies rigorous quality assurance measures to minimize the need for revisions. These include validation checks and consistency reviews to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
Overall, the policy aims to ensure that the data remains accurate and up-to-date, while also providing transparency regarding any changes made to previously published data.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The PRODCOM data submitted at the end of June is considered final and will only be revised if necessary, such as in the event of significant reporting errors.
18.1. Source data
The survey population is derived from the Statistical Business Register, which includes all local units in Germany along with their industry classification, number of employees, and other relevant details.
A cut-off threshold is used to define the survey population. It includes all local units that are part of a legal entity with 20 or more employees, specifically those classified under NACE divisions 07 to 33 (NACE Rev.2 sections B and C). Additionally, local units belonging to legal entities in other NACE sections with 20 or more employees are also included. This design helps to minimize the reporting burden on smaller businesses.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data is collected on a monthly basis from local units with 50 or more employees, and on a quarterly basis from units with 20 or more employees. The quarterly data collection is separate from the monthly survey. For the annual production statistics, both the monthly and quarterly surveys are utilized as the basis.
18.3. Data collection
National data collection is decentralized and managed by the 14 regional statistical offices. Data is gathered through an online survey, with instructions and access available at this website.
The online system incorporates consistency checks and data validation procedures.
Each respondent receives a tailored document based on the previous year's report, which pre-assigns the production codes reported in the prior period.
18.4. Data validation
The data undergo multiple validation checks to ensure accuracy. These include consistency checks over time for production value and volume for each respondent, as well as consistency checks for unit prices associated with each product code. Additionally, reporting under product codes that do not align with the NACE code activity of the reporting unit is monitored.
Validation checks are carried out both at the regional and national levels. Any anomalies or unusual values are reviewed in detail with the reporting unit to ensure correctness.
18.5. Data compilation
An internal IT system is used for validation checks and data editing provided by respondents. Once the data are scanned, edits are made, and any discrepancies or issues are identified and corrected as necessary. This process is primarily managed by the regional statistical offices, which are responsible for processing microdata into aggregated data for their respective regions. The Federal Statistical Office then receives the aggregated data from the regional offices and performs macro-level plausibility checks. Subsequently, the data are combined using a processing program to produce a nationwide result for industrial production. For the annual production statistics, data from the monthly and quarterly surveys are utilized.
The PRODCOM data are generated based on the annual production survey. The annual national data, which include national codes at the 9-digit level, are converted to the 8-digit PRODCOM code level and undergo further quality checks before being transmitted to Eurostat. As the PRODCOM survey population is derived from the statistical Business Register, any issues detected during this process are fed back to improve the quality of the register.
18.6. Adjustment
At the national level, only the monthly industrial production index is adjusted, with both calendar and seasonal adjustments applied using the X13-ARIMA method in JDemetra+. This index includes production data for NACE sections B, C, D, and F.
For the annual production statistics, no adjustments are made.
No comment.
Germany’s production survey is conducted by the 14 statistical offices across Germany’s 16 federal states. It collects monthly and quarterly data on the value and volume of products manufactured in Germany. The annual PRODCOM statistics are compiled from the aggregated results of the final quarterly production survey, which are consolidated into annual data.
The survey is conducted in compliance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020, which sets out technical specifications and arrangements under Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 of the European Parliament and of the Council on European business statistics.
The PRODCOM survey provides information on the PRODuction within the European COMmunity and is based on data provided by German manufacturers.
Data on production intended for sale, whether on own account or under subcontracted operations, is collected as part of the national industrial production. However, this data is not published at the national level in this level of detail.
30 August 2024
The purpose of the statistics is to report the value and quantity of industrial products and services produced in the reporting country for each item on the PRODCOM List during the reference period. PRODCOM statistics focus on products rather than activities, making them not directly comparable with activity-based statistics like Structural Business Statistics. The NACE codes associated with PRODCOM codes are used to identify the enterprises to be surveyed in order to determine the production volume of each product. The PRODCOM List specifies approximately 4,000 categories of manufactured products and certain industrial services that are included in the survey. For each product, the survey records the production value, which is expressed in the national currency and, if necessary, converted to Euro by Eurostat. The production volume is measured in a unit specific to each product, such as kilograms or square meters. The PRODCOM variables are sales production under own production (value and quantity), total production (sales production + further processing), sales production under sub-contracted operations (value and quantity), and total sales production (value and quantity).
The observation unit is the local unit.
The survey population includes all local units with 20 or more employees whose main activity is in mining, quarrying, or manufacturing (NACE Rev. 2 sections B and C). Additionally, it encompasses all local units with 20 or more employees that belong to a legal unit outside of these sectors.
PRODCOM statistics are available exclusively at the national level. Additionally, some of the 14 regional statistical offices in Germany, which conduct the survey, publish production statistics for their respective federal states. These regional statistical offices are solely responsible for the dissemination of regional data.
The reference period is the calendar year, with the latest data available for 2023.
As this survey is a census of local industrial units within enterprises with 20 or more employees, obtained from the national statistical Business Register, all companies in the relevant NACE groups of sections B and C are surveyed.
Response Rate:
At the end of the reporting year, the response rate is not applicable because imputation for non-response ensures that there are no local units with missing data in the dataset. When imputation is not considered, the imputation rate and response rate are equivalent in the German system of compiling production statistics.
Item Non-Response Rate:
Item non-response is not applicable. In Germany, an online survey is used. For a reportable enterprise to submit data under a specific national product code, every variable must be completed in the online survey. Missing items prevent data transmission and the finalization of the questionnaire. If a local unit does not report under a product code despite production, detecting this as a "missing item" is challenging. When a local unit no longer reports a specific product code, the local unit is contacted to determine if the omission was an oversight or if the product is no longer being produced.
Imputation Rate:
In 2023, the imputation rate for Sales production value in the PRODCOM survey was 2.8% (compared to 2.2% in 2022).
Information on the under-coverage rate is not available. There are no multiple listings.
Volumes: The volume is measured in a unit specific to each product, such as kilograms, square meters, etc., indicating the quantity of goods produced. For a detailed list of units used in national publications, refer on this website.
Values: The production value is recorded in thousands of euros.
An internal IT system is used for validation checks and data editing provided by respondents. Once the data are scanned, edits are made, and any discrepancies or issues are identified and corrected as necessary. This process is primarily managed by the regional statistical offices, which are responsible for processing microdata into aggregated data for their respective regions. The Federal Statistical Office then receives the aggregated data from the regional offices and performs macro-level plausibility checks. Subsequently, the data are combined using a processing program to produce a nationwide result for industrial production. For the annual production statistics, data from the monthly and quarterly surveys are utilized.
The PRODCOM data are generated based on the annual production survey. The annual national data, which include national codes at the 9-digit level, are converted to the 8-digit PRODCOM code level and undergo further quality checks before being transmitted to Eurostat. As the PRODCOM survey population is derived from the statistical Business Register, any issues detected during this process are fed back to improve the quality of the register.
The survey population is derived from the Statistical Business Register, which includes all local units in Germany along with their industry classification, number of employees, and other relevant details.
A cut-off threshold is used to define the survey population. It includes all local units that are part of a legal entity with 20 or more employees, specifically those classified under NACE divisions 07 to 33 (NACE Rev.2 sections B and C). Additionally, local units belonging to legal entities in other NACE sections with 20 or more employees are also included. This design helps to minimize the reporting burden on smaller businesses.
National Dissemination:
Monthly: National publication of selected product aggregates based on user requests.
Quarterly: National publication of production intended for sale (both volume and value) and total production (including processing and only volume of processing) for all national production codes, derived from monthly and quarterly surveys.
Annual: National publication that consolidates monthly and quarterly results.
Additionally, the monthly collected data (from local units with 50 or more employees in the manufacturing industry) contribute to the monthly industrial production index.
Eurostat Dissemination:
PRODCOM statistics are submitted annually to Eurostat and are also published annually.
Final PRODCOM data for the reference year t are sent to Eurostat by the regulatory deadline of June 30 each year, which is six months after the end of the reference year. Final data for the German annual industrial products statistics, which form the basis for PRODCOM, are released 4 to 5 months after the end of the reporting year.
The production survey is conducted using consistent methods across all German federal states, ensuring full geographical comparability at the national level. Additionally, the results of the PRODCOM survey are comparable with those from other European Union member states.
Comparability over time within a reference year is generally maintained, but there are several factors that affect the consistency of production statistics over time:
Methodological Changes: Revisions to the NACE classification and updates in product classifications can affect comparability. Significant changes occur approximately every seven years. For example, the extensive NACE revision in 2008 led to changes in the German Product Classification (GP) starting with the 2009 survey. The GP 2019 introduced new products and segmentations, aligning more closely with the PRODCOM list. Such updates, including new or rearranged codes, limit comparability over time. The PRODCOM list itself is updated every two years, sometimes undergoing minor and sometimes major changes.
Survey Population Changes: Adjustments in statistical laws to reduce the burden on enterprises can affect the basic survey population. For instance, since 2007, the threshold for including local units in some small-structured branches was increased from 10 to 20 employees.
Harmonized System (HS) Revisions: Every five years, revisions to the HS impact the CN and PRODCOM codes. The most recent major revision was in 2012, leading to significant changes in classification.
Production in Wage Labor: Production in wage labor is identified by a "2" as the 10th digit in the 9-digit national commodity number, meaning there is no separate commodity number for this type of production.
