The mission of Statistics Netherlands is to collect and process data in order to publish statistics to be used in practice, by policymakers and for scientific research. In view of this mission, the quality of the statistical information must be guaranteed.
For this reason Statistics Netherlands has introduced a system of quality assurance based on the highest international criteria. Statistics Netherlands aims to be one the best performing statistical institutes in an international perspective in terms of quality, without using complex and detailed quality systems.
Statistics Netherlands regularly undergoes external audits, by among others the IMF (the so-called ROSC Mission) and the European Commission (Gross National Income commission), and regularly reports on quality issues to Eurostat, the EU bureau of statistics.
Statistics Netherlands endorses the European Statistics Code of Practice for statistical authorities and puts this code into practice. (European Statistics Code of Practice) The European Code of Practice consists of the following principles:
Institutional environment
- Professional independence.
- Mandate for data collection.
- Adequacy of resources.
- Quality commitment.
- Statistical confidentiality.
- Impartiality and objectivity.
Statistical processes
- Sound methodology.
- Appropriate statistical procedures.
- Non-excessive burden on respondents.
Statistical output
- Cost effectiveness .
- Relevance.
- Accuracy and reliability.
- Timeliness and punctuality.
- Coherence and comparability.
- Accessibility and clarity.
Statistics Netherlands also endorses the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System (Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System), and puts this declaration into practice. This declaration comprises the following principles:
- User focus .
- Continuous improvement.
- Product quality commitment.
- Accessibility of information.
- Partnership within and beyond the European Statistical system.
- Respecting the needs of data suppliers.
- Commitment of leadership.
- Systematic quality management.
- Effective and efficient processes.
- Staff satisfaction and staff development.
The eighth principle of the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical system (ESS) refers to systematic quality management. Statistics Netherlands puts this principle into practice by applying the EFQM Excellence Model, of the European Foundation for Quality Management. The European Code of Practice is related to the EFQM Excellence Model (European Foundation of Quality Management)
The institutional framework underwent a peer review in 2006 by staff from other national statistical institutes. The findings or this review have been published in the Peer Review Report.
The translated text of Statistics Netherlands’ quality declaration, including explanatory notes is available in PDF. The explanatory notes set out how the European Code of Practice and the Quality declaration of the ESS are put into practice.
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Statistics Netherlands quality declaration was approved by the Board of directors on 28 April 2008
