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.
Economic and business statistics and national accounts
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Henri Faasdreef 312, 2492 JP Den Haag
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
11 July 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
11 July 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
11 July 2025
3.1. Data description
Indices of output Prices, Total, Domestic and Non-Domestic Prices.
3.2. Classification system
ProdCom classification
3.3. Coverage - sector
Activities covered: The output price statistics cover industrial activities (NACE Rev. 2 Sections B to E36).
Size classes covered: all
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
List and definition of variables : The definition of the prices collected does not include VAT and excise duties. These prices correspond to the price set at the moment of delivery. The price indices show the evolution of output prices for the domestic market and for exports. Special series for imports and raw materials (input) are compiled as well.
Enterprises report output prices of selected products (product groups) which cover about 80% of output. Statistics Netherlands sends out field surveyors to determine in agreement with businesses the products to be included in the basket.
Planned changes in information collected : None
Accounting conventions : Prices are calculated as an average of several days.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting unit: The reporting unit is Enterprise.
Observation unit(s): Observation unit is the enterprise and parts of enterprises (presumed to be KAUs).
3.6. Statistical population
Within the scope a PPS (Probability Proportional to Size) Sample is used. In general enterprises with less than 20 employees are not in the panel.
There are around 34000 units in the population.
3.7. Reference area
Geographical area covered: The geographical area covered by the survey is the Netherlands - no regions are excluded.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Date of first use as a source: 2005.
3.9. Base period
Base (reference) year: 2021.
Indices of output prices by products (PRODCOM)
Reference year of this report: 2024
The periodicity is Monthly.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis: Statistics Netherlands is fully independent in terms of its statistical operations with respect to methodology and publications. Independence was granted by the Royal Act of 1899 and reconfirmed by law in 1996 and 2003. The CBS Law of 2003 is available in English and Dutch. The public can find it on the website of Statistics Netherlands on the page with information about our organisation.
Obligation on units to provide data: The Law of 2003 established the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Central Commission for Statistics. Section 3 states: “The task of the CBS is to carry out statistical research for the government for practice, policy and research purposes and to publish the statistics compiled on the basis of such research". For the surveys carried out under the provisions of the Law of 2003 irregularities with respect the obligation to provide information can be punished with a fine of a maximum of EUR 5,000 but there have been no examples of penalties in recent years.
Planned changes in legal basis, obligation to respond and frame used: No changes in legal basis are planned.
The references to the EBS Regulation and its implementing legal acts can be found on the Eurostat website.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The Law of 2003 established the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Central Commission for Statistics. Section 3 states: “The task of the CBS is to carry out statistical research for the government for practice, policy and research purposes and to publish the statistics compiled on the basis of such research". Sections 33 through 36 describe the collection of information, sections 37 and 38 describe the use of information gathering and sections 39 through 42 the dissemination of results. The most relevant clauses are the following. Section 33: “The director general is authorised to use, for statistical purposes, data from registers (..) the director general is authorised to request, for statistical purposes, data (..) from the categories of companies, independent professionals, institutions and legal persons (..).” Section 37: “The data (..) shall be used solely for statistical purposes. The data (..)shall only be published in such a way that no recognisable data can be derived from them about an individual person, household, company or institution, unless, (..) there are good reasons to assume that the company or institution concerned will not have any objections to the publication.” The CBS Law of 2003 is available in English and Dutch. The public can find it on the website of Statistics Netherlands on the page with information about our organisation.
Data is transmitted to Eurostat on a monthly basis.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Statistics Netherlands is fully independent in terms of its statistical operations with respect to methodology and publications. Independence was granted by the Royal Act of 1899 and reconfirmed by law in 1996 and 2003. Data provision was made compulsory by law in 1936. Confidentiality is guaranteed. Individual data are never published without consent. The Royal Act of 1899 and the Law of 1996 have been repealed by the Law of 20 November 2003. This Law on the Central Bureau of Statistics describes the independence of the director-general of Statistics Netherlands: “The director general shall determine the methods by which the studies included in the work programme and the multiannual programme will be carried out and the manner in which the results of those studies will be published”. The Law of 2003 established the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Central Commission for Statistics. Section 3 states: “The task of the CBS is to carry out statistical research for the government for practice, policy and research purposes and to publish the statistics compiled on the basis of such research". Sections 33 through 36 describe the collection of information, sections 37 and 38 describe the use of information gathering and sections 39 through 42 the dissemination of results. The most relevant clauses are the following. Section 33: “The director general is authorised to use, for statistical purposes, data from registers (..) the director general is authorised to request, for statistical purposes, data (..) from the categories of companies, independent professionals, institutions and legal persons (..).” Section 37: “The data (..) shall be used solely for statistical purposes. The data (..) shall only be published in such a way that no recognisable data can be derived from them about an individual person, household, company or institution, unless, (..) there are good reasons to assume that the company or institution concerned will not have any objections to the publication.” The CBS Law of 2003 is available in English and Dutch. The public can find it on the website of Statistics Netherlands on the page with information about our organisation.
A rolling release calendar is published on the website of Statistics Netherlands in the weekly Publication calendar. Long-term planning is provisional. In instances when approximate release dates are given, the precise release dates are announced on the last business day of the prior week.
8.2. Release calendar access
A rolling release calendar is publicly available on the website of Statistics Netherlands in the weekly Publication calendar.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Simultaneous release to all interested parties : The data are released simultaneously to all interested parties by loading them into the on-line database StatLine on the website of Statistics Netherlands and posting a notification under “updates” on the home-page of the website.
Identification of internal government access to data before release : There is no government access to the data before their release to the public.
Transmission to Eurostat and further use of the statistics : Data are transmitted to Eurostat within 45 days from the end of the reference month. The transmission is done by use of Edamis using the SDMX coding system.
Within a month and every month: provisional. After 6 months: final.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Identification of ministerial commentary on the occasion of statistical releases: Data are published in the “Conjunctuurbericht” every month.
The coverage of the news release is domestic and export prices.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Name of national paper publications: Data are published on the Internet site and the data are published in the “Statistisch Bulletin” are provisional. Final data are published six months after the end of the reference period in the "Statistisch Bulletin" and the "Industriemonitor".
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Data is published monthly in the Online database (Statline) of Statistics Netherlands and on the Eurostat website. Selections are disseminated to organisations as DNB (Central Bank of the Netherlands) and CPB (Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis).
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Under certain conditions, Statistics Netherlands’ Centre for Policy Related Statistics (CvB) can make microdata (anonymous data at the level of individual persons and businesses) available for statistical research.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Data are sent to Eurostat monthly by eDamis. Selections are sent to national organisations as DNB and CPB.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Dissemination of documentation on methodology and sources used in preparing statistics:
Summary description of quality criteria calculated for national purposes: The weighted response rate has to be above a certain percentage if figures are to be published.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
There has been an audit in 2010.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Next to Euroatat PPI (Producer Price Index) data is used by at least 10 organisations / large companies in NL. Indices are used in contracts often.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Users – intern and extern have interest in up to date PPIs. Detailed information as well as general PPI’s are used often.
12.3. Completeness
PPI’s are covering the whole scope. Further the index is complete. There are no gaps or missing data parts.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Sources for Producer prices and Import prices panel are various. For domestic PPI a combination of Prodcom data and International trade data and energy statistics is used. For non-domestic output prices a combination of Prodcom, international trade, energy statistics and turnover statistics is used. For import prices international trade data is used. Every two and a half year sources for the panel are updated and the panel is renewed for changes. For sample a PPS sample is used, The panel is important for the quality of the results. The coverage is guaranteed by using all these sources. There will be a time lack between the real economy and the coverage. Optimizing the panel is done constantly for split-ups, bankruptcy and mergers. There is a response rate of more than 90 percentage for the first release, for the final release response rates are higher than 95 percent. Price information is gathered by a web-form, gone through a plausibility check and reasons for high developments are inventoried. A large amount of prices from divers products and divers enterprises are gathered. Publication will only take place if there are enough prices in a certain category. Indices are published with one decimal.
13.2. Sampling error
The PPS sample results in 3060 companies being surveyed for PPI output prices and import prices. The method for calculating sampling errors ( margins of errors) for domestic, non-domestic and import prices are developed and available in the publication.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Coverage: Proper coverage is guaranteed by the sources for the sample and the weights (National Accounts) used.
Unit response rate: The unweighted unit reponse rate of first releases in 2024 was 94,3%. The unweighted unit reponse rate of final releases in 2024 was 98,1%
Impact non- response: Impact of non-response is minor because of the high response rate which is typically obtained (around 90%).
Impact data-editing: the impact of data editing is optimized by analysing the data after plausibility checks and a final validation of each monthly process.
Imputing: Imputations are done by consequently selecting the closest surroundings of the specific product as inputs. Currently no models are used.
14.1. Timeliness
Publication is within thirty days after the end of the reference month (M+30). Indices become final after six months.
14.2. Punctuality
All releases are published according to the release calender.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The EBS Regulation and the EBS methodological guidelines are applied by the countries transmitting STS data. This ensures a good comparability between national data and good-quality European aggregates. However, in order to best use their available data, the countries may apply different collection methods (surveys, use of administrative sources) and different calculation procedures for the data. Within the Netherlands, no separate geographical data is compiled, thus there is no comparability between regions.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Indices are comparable with earlier series.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Dissemination of information that support statistical cross-checks and provide assurance of reasonableness: Indices are coherent cross domain.
Confrontation with other data sets: not available.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Coherent
The persons hour per year for SN is about 4000 hours. The respondents burden is estimated at 6000 hours per year.
17.1. Data revision - policy
On the website final data are published six months after the end of the reference period. Five months are provisional versions.
For the Eurostat publications the same revision policy is carried out.
17.2. Data revision - practice
The revision policy is described in the table explanation of the online database tables.
In case of changes in methodology or major changes in the data, the public will be informed by means of a press release.
The Mean Revision (MR) for 2024 (12 months) for NACE aggregate B to E36 was 0.02%
The Mean Absolute Revision (MAR) for 2024 (12 months) for NACE aggregate B to E36 was 0.15%
Because of the base year revision to 2021 =100, data for 2023 and earlier years were transmitted together, without any revision. It is therefore not possible to calculate the MR and MAR for a longer period.
18.1. Source data
Type of source : No other source than a statistical survey is used to obtain the price data. However, one percent of the data comes from price lists.
Frame on which the source is based : The General Business Register (Algemeen Bedrijfsregister - ABR).
Sample or census : Data collection is a sample survey. The main classification used in compiling the producer price indices is the Prodcom product classification of the European Union.
Criteria for stratification : The sample is judiciously drawn so that the selected product groups cover about 80% of turnover (equals approximately 70-75% of production).
Threshold values and percentages : The number of price quotes is in total about 23 000 prices from about 4 000 commodities (about 8 000 domestic price quotes from about 1 000 commodities; about 6 000 export price quotes from 1 000 commodities and about 9 000 import price quotes from 2 000 commodities). The total number of establishments covered in the survey is roughly 2 300.
Frequency of updating the sample : Every five years during the base year change.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Periodicity of data collection: 70% of the information is collected monthly, 15% quarterly, 15% yearly.
18.3. Data collection
Questionnaires used in the survey: There is no standard questionnaire. Each firm to be surveyed has it own unique questionnaire. Questionnaires are sent out for domestic output prices, export prices and import prices by post or e-mail.
Questionnaires used in the survey: Not planned
18.4. Data validation
The data file structure is vailidated by the program Genedi. The results of STS are presented in excel-datatables and graphs. The validity of the results is done by examing the tables and graphs.
18.5. Data compilation
Estimates for non-response: Non-response is treated using imputation technique. The estimation is done by using growth rates of the known average of a given sample-cell (stratum) multiplied with the(estimated average) value of the previous period.Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: The grossing up is based on the latest completed quarterly total number of enterprises per stratum in the General Business Register adjusted for population errors (such as non -active enterprises). The ratio of the total number of enterprise (N) within a given stratum to the corresponding number of enterprises (n) of the sample gives the grossing-up factor for the stratum.Type of index: The indices are Laspeyres whose base year is renewed every 5 years. The output price index for a commodity measures the average price development of individual products within this commodity as produced and sold. The commodity group price indices are calculated as chained price indices by using two weighting-factors. At the lowest level of calculation an internal-weight is used (internal weight: the importance of a reporting unit within a Prodcom group and statistical code derived from the production statistics). External-weights are used when aggregates of commodities are calculated (external weight: the importance of a Prodcom group in relation to the other Prodcom groups per statistical code derived from the input/output tables). Also the aggregation to activities is made on the basis of matrices of input/output tables. Within a unit different prices of products (of one branch) are weighted according to the geometric average. The average prices of the units are then weighted according to the gross production of the units.Method of weighting and chaining: See type of indexPlanned changes in production methods: Not planned
18.6. Adjustment
There is no working day adjusment.
No further comments.
Indices of output Prices, Total, Domestic and Non-Domestic Prices.
11 July 2025
List and definition of variables : The definition of the prices collected does not include VAT and excise duties. These prices correspond to the price set at the moment of delivery. The price indices show the evolution of output prices for the domestic market and for exports. Special series for imports and raw materials (input) are compiled as well.
Enterprises report output prices of selected products (product groups) which cover about 80% of output. Statistics Netherlands sends out field surveyors to determine in agreement with businesses the products to be included in the basket.
Planned changes in information collected : None
Accounting conventions : Prices are calculated as an average of several days.
Reporting unit: The reporting unit is Enterprise.
Observation unit(s): Observation unit is the enterprise and parts of enterprises (presumed to be KAUs).
Within the scope a PPS (Probability Proportional to Size) Sample is used. In general enterprises with less than 20 employees are not in the panel.
There are around 34000 units in the population.
Geographical area covered: The geographical area covered by the survey is the Netherlands - no regions are excluded.
Reference year of this report: 2024
The periodicity is Monthly.
Sources for Producer prices and Import prices panel are various. For domestic PPI a combination of Prodcom data and International trade data and energy statistics is used. For non-domestic output prices a combination of Prodcom, international trade, energy statistics and turnover statistics is used. For import prices international trade data is used. Every two and a half year sources for the panel are updated and the panel is renewed for changes. For sample a PPS sample is used, The panel is important for the quality of the results. The coverage is guaranteed by using all these sources. There will be a time lack between the real economy and the coverage. Optimizing the panel is done constantly for split-ups, bankruptcy and mergers. There is a response rate of more than 90 percentage for the first release, for the final release response rates are higher than 95 percent. Price information is gathered by a web-form, gone through a plausibility check and reasons for high developments are inventoried. A large amount of prices from divers products and divers enterprises are gathered. Publication will only take place if there are enough prices in a certain category. Indices are published with one decimal.
Indices of output prices by products (PRODCOM)
Estimates for non-response: Non-response is treated using imputation technique. The estimation is done by using growth rates of the known average of a given sample-cell (stratum) multiplied with the(estimated average) value of the previous period.Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: The grossing up is based on the latest completed quarterly total number of enterprises per stratum in the General Business Register adjusted for population errors (such as non -active enterprises). The ratio of the total number of enterprise (N) within a given stratum to the corresponding number of enterprises (n) of the sample gives the grossing-up factor for the stratum.Type of index: The indices are Laspeyres whose base year is renewed every 5 years. The output price index for a commodity measures the average price development of individual products within this commodity as produced and sold. The commodity group price indices are calculated as chained price indices by using two weighting-factors. At the lowest level of calculation an internal-weight is used (internal weight: the importance of a reporting unit within a Prodcom group and statistical code derived from the production statistics). External-weights are used when aggregates of commodities are calculated (external weight: the importance of a Prodcom group in relation to the other Prodcom groups per statistical code derived from the input/output tables). Also the aggregation to activities is made on the basis of matrices of input/output tables. Within a unit different prices of products (of one branch) are weighted according to the geometric average. The average prices of the units are then weighted according to the gross production of the units.Method of weighting and chaining: See type of indexPlanned changes in production methods: Not planned
Type of source : No other source than a statistical survey is used to obtain the price data. However, one percent of the data comes from price lists.
Frame on which the source is based : The General Business Register (Algemeen Bedrijfsregister - ABR).
Sample or census : Data collection is a sample survey. The main classification used in compiling the producer price indices is the Prodcom product classification of the European Union.
Criteria for stratification : The sample is judiciously drawn so that the selected product groups cover about 80% of turnover (equals approximately 70-75% of production).
Threshold values and percentages : The number of price quotes is in total about 23 000 prices from about 4 000 commodities (about 8 000 domestic price quotes from about 1 000 commodities; about 6 000 export price quotes from 1 000 commodities and about 9 000 import price quotes from 2 000 commodities). The total number of establishments covered in the survey is roughly 2 300.
Frequency of updating the sample : Every five years during the base year change.
Within a month and every month: provisional. After 6 months: final.
Publication is within thirty days after the end of the reference month (M+30). Indices become final after six months.
The EBS Regulation and the EBS methodological guidelines are applied by the countries transmitting STS data. This ensures a good comparability between national data and good-quality European aggregates. However, in order to best use their available data, the countries may apply different collection methods (surveys, use of administrative sources) and different calculation procedures for the data. Within the Netherlands, no separate geographical data is compiled, thus there is no comparability between regions.
