The European Court of Auditors (ECA) published a report which highlights that the European Commission, Eurostat and Member States have not yet achieved the full implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice. Moreover, the EU Auditors stressed that the European statistical programme 2008 to 2012, the audit found that Eurostat had not designed it as an effective planning, monitoring and accountability tool.

The special report 12/2012 entitled “Did the Commission and Eurostat improve the process for producing reliable and credible European statistics?” which examines, whether the Commission and Eurostat have taken all steps necessary to fulfil their role in achieving the implementation of the Code of Practice throughout the European Statistical System; and whether Eurostat manages the European statistical programme as a tool for improving the production of European statistics well, found out that the objectives were not accomplished. A decision recently taken by the Commission reinforced Eurostat.

According to the report, the Code sets demanding standards but lacks strong verification and enforcement tools to ensure adherence to the standards throughout the European Statistics System. As to the European statistical programme 2008 to 2012, the audit found that Eurostat had not designed it as an effective planning, monitoring and accountability tool.

Therefore, ECA recommends strengthening the system of European statistics to ensure professional independence, achieving the full implementation of the European Statistics Code of Practice by amending the regulatory framework; enhancing the professional independence of the Chief Statistician of the European Union; ensuring a systematic review of statistical priorities and encouraging statistical innovation; simplifying Eurostat’s grant management and enhancing competition in procurement procedures.