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.
CPA (statistical classification of products by activity).
3.3. Coverage - sector
Under the European Sample Scheme, indices are complied for the following 8 specific 4-digit CPA 2008 codes, for goods imported from outside the euro area:
06.10 Crude Petroleum
06.20 Natural gas, liquefied or in gaseous state
19.20 Refined petroleum products
20.14 Other organic base materials
21.10 Basic pharmaceutical products
21.20 Pharmaceutical preparations
26.20 Computers and peripheral equipment
32.50 Medical and dental instruments and supplies
All size classes are covered.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The enterprises are requested to provide the following information:
Commodity (CN) code under which product was imported
detailed description of the product
country of consignment from which they imported the product
purchasing terms (for example vendor type, order size, payment period)
price basis in other words terms of the transaction included in the price (for example CIF, FOB)
discount if not included in the transaction price
unit of measurement used to price the product
price for the transaction and its currency.
3.5. Statistical unit
The observation unit is Enterprise and the reporting unit their CPA code(s).
3.6. Statistical population
The statistical population is all enterprises whose main business activity is classified to one of the 4-digit CPA 2008 codes listed in section 3.3.
3.7. Reference area
Republic of Ireland
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data first used as a source in 2006.
3.9. Base period
Base Year 2021=100.
CAP4 indices
Month
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Statistics Act 1993
Statistics (Producer Prices Survey) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 2 of 2023)
EBS Regulation (EU) 2019/2152 on 27 November 2019
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1704 of 14 July 2021
Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/1197 of 30 July 2020
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Section 34 of the 1993 Statistics Act states:
The Office may provide, for statistical purposes only, information obtained in any way under this Act or the repealed enactments, in such form that it cannot be directly or indirectly related to an identifiable person or undertaking, to such persons and subject to such charges, conditions and restrictions as the Director General may determine.
Data is shared with Eurostat as provided for under the relevant European legislation.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The provision on statistical confidentiality is regulated by Sections 32 and 33 of the 1993 Statistics Act.
Section 32 states:
All information furnished by a person, undertaking or public authority under this Act shall be used only for statistical compilation and analysis purposes.
Section 33 states:
(1) No information obtained in any way under this Act or the repealed enactments which can be related to an identifiable person or undertaking shall, except with the written consent of that person or undertaking or the personal representative or next-of-kin of a deceased person, be disseminated, shown or communicated to any person or body except as follows:
(a) for the purposes of a prosecution for an offence under this Act;
(b) to officers of statistics in the course of their duties under this Act;
(c) for the purposes of recording such information solely for the use of the Office in such form and manner as is provided for by a contract in writing made by the Director General which protects its confidentiality to his satisfaction
(2) The Office may, for statistical purposes only, assign codes derived from information collected under this Act classifying undertakings listed in the administrative systems of other public authorities by economic activity and size (persons engaged) categories.
(3) The Taoiseach may by order prescribe such further prohibitions on the disclosure of identifiable records or information obtained under this Act or the repealed enactments for such periods as may be prescribed.
(4) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require any person or undertaking to provide information in relation to a matter on which information was sought in circumstances that would entitle the person or undertaking to decline to give the information in a civil proceeding in any court or on grounds of privilege.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
All data are confidential.
8.1. Release calendar
The data is not published nationally so the releases are not included in the CSO's release calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not available.
8.3. Release policy - user access
No data is published nationally. Data is transmitted to Eurostat and provided to the CSO's National Accounts section.
Monthly
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not available.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Not available.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Not available.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not available.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat to be used in European aggregates.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Not available.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Data entered is verified by a supervisor. The edits are range edits comparing the prices with the corresponding prices of the previous month.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Analysis of External Trade data shows that imports in the CPA codes listed in section 3.3 are heavily concentrated among the largest companies under each CPA code. The sample design ensures that the sample includes over 80% of the value of imports in each code. While there is currently no quantitive measure calculated to assess the sampling error, this level of coverage of the target population is likely to provide indicators that are representative of the price movements in the sectors.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Indices are transmitted to Eurostat every month.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
All CPA codes required by Ireland under the European Sample Scheme are covered, as detailed in Commission Regulation 458/2015.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The overall accuracy has not been measured by the CSO.
13.2. Sampling error
Due to the use of a cut-off sample at the first stage, and the self selection of products at the second stage, it is not possible to estimate sampling error.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling error has not been estimated. Telephone and email contact is used to speed up and increase the rate of response.
14.1. Timeliness
Data are sent to Eurostat approximately 4 weeks after the reference period.
14.2. Punctuality
The timeliness target (see 14.1) is achieved every month with rare exceptions.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
It is possible to compare the Irish indices with those of other European countries using the CPA classification system.
15.2. Comparability - over time
There are no breaks in the time series.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Import prices are not directly comparable with other prices.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Aggregates are consistent with their sub-aggregates.
The results are generally not revised unless calculation errors are subsequently discovered. The same revision policy is applied to STS data released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Revised results would be notified to Eurostat. MAR = 0 and MR = 0.
18.1. Source data
Two stage sample design. At the first stage, enterprises that have imported goods into Ireland under relevant CPA codes are selected from a sample frame created from External Trade data. Within each CPA code, the enterprises are sorted by descending value of imports, and a cut-off sample selected, so that over 80% of value of imports is included in the sample for each CPA code. For the second stage of sample selection enterprises select their most frequently imported product(s) under the relevant CN code(s).
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly
18.3. Data collection
A survey form is sent to local units that have imported goods into Ireland under the specific 4-digit CPA codes.
Data is also collected via telephone and electronic survey form.
18.4. Data validation
Edits compare values against previous returns (range checks). If differences exceed specified thresholds, an edit is raised. These are then analysed and records are corrected as appropriate.
18.5. Data compilation
Prices quoted in currencies other than euro are converted into euro using the exchange rate for the 15th of the reference month. Indices are complied at 6-digit CPA and 4-digit CPA levels.
The import price index is a Laspeyres type index. Annual external trade data is used to compile weights.
18.6. Adjustment
The data is not seasonally adjusted.
No comment.
Import Price Index
29 July 2025
The enterprises are requested to provide the following information:
Commodity (CN) code under which product was imported
detailed description of the product
country of consignment from which they imported the product
purchasing terms (for example vendor type, order size, payment period)
price basis in other words terms of the transaction included in the price (for example CIF, FOB)
discount if not included in the transaction price
unit of measurement used to price the product
price for the transaction and its currency.
The observation unit is Enterprise and the reporting unit their CPA code(s).
The statistical population is all enterprises whose main business activity is classified to one of the 4-digit CPA 2008 codes listed in section 3.3.
Republic of Ireland
Month
The overall accuracy has not been measured by the CSO.
CAP4 indices
Prices quoted in currencies other than euro are converted into euro using the exchange rate for the 15th of the reference month. Indices are complied at 6-digit CPA and 4-digit CPA levels.
The import price index is a Laspeyres type index. Annual external trade data is used to compile weights.
Two stage sample design. At the first stage, enterprises that have imported goods into Ireland under relevant CPA codes are selected from a sample frame created from External Trade data. Within each CPA code, the enterprises are sorted by descending value of imports, and a cut-off sample selected, so that over 80% of value of imports is included in the sample for each CPA code. For the second stage of sample selection enterprises select their most frequently imported product(s) under the relevant CN code(s).
Monthly
Data are sent to Eurostat approximately 4 weeks after the reference period.
It is possible to compare the Irish indices with those of other European countries using the CPA classification system.
