State of play, main conclusions, outlook

Under the proposal adopted in March 2017, the Framework Regulation Integrating Business Statistics (FRIBS) would integrate the current 10 legislative acts governing the production of European business statistics into an overarching legal framework which enables better responsiveness to emerging user needs, provides new European statistics to serve the Commission policy priorities and gives better analytical value for users due to more harmonised and cross-cutting output for them.

In addition, FRIBS would allow for the creation of a system which is more forward looking, with best potential for modernisation and collaborative approaches to statistical production. The National Statistical Authorities (NSAs) would have better access to administrative data and could use innovative and more cost-efficient methods of data production across the better integrated domains.

The use of better integrated processes (e.g. due to the alignment of variable definitions), more innovative and alternative data sources, would create significant potential for reduction of burden on businesses acting as respondents.

In summary, FRIBS would serve better the needs of users, facilitate the integration and modernisation of statistical production in the NSAs and allow for a reduction of burden on businesses.

Estimated savings and benefits

Administrative burden that data providers (businesses) are facing: FRIBS is expected to foster a reduction of administrative burden of at least 13.5 % (or €93 million) compared to the current annual burden.

Cost on data compilers (National Statistical Authorities): FRIBS could lead to a maximum net cost savings of €10 million and maximum net cost increase of €9 million - depending on the implementation modalities which may vary in different Member States.

To sum up, FRIBS could bring about considerable benefits in reducing administrative burden and foster a potential reduction of costs to the NSAs.

REFIT Platform

The REFIT Platform opinion XVII.3.a on environmental protection investment statistics contains a recommendation that the Commission continues its assessment on overlapping reporting requirements under Commission Regulation (EC) No 250/2009 (in the structural business statistics domain) and Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 on environmental accounts, removes any duplication or overlaps and replaces the Regulation on structural business statistics with the new Framework Regulation for integrating business Statistics (FRIBS).

The REFIT Platform opinion confirms double reporting which is addressed in the context of the FRIBS proposal.