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Community statistics on the information society

2008/0201(COD)

PURPOSE: to amend Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society to ensure the continuation of the existing common framework for the systematic production of reliable, harmonised, timely and high quality Community statistics on the information society and the provision of annual statistical data on ICT usage in enterprises and in households.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: in its communication "i2010 - A European Information Society for growth and employment", the Commission promotes an open and competitive digital economy, emphasises ICT as a driver of inclusion and quality of life and provides a comprehensive strategy for the ICT and media sector. Allied to this strategy, benchmarking is seen as playing a central role in monitoring progress towards the renewed Lisbon objectives. There is a continuing need for statistical data provision in this domain, as ICT is still having a major impact on European businesses and societies.

The indicators for benchmarking the development of the information society as expressed in the political strategies of the Community, such as the i2010 benchmarking framework of the i2010 strategy and its further developments under the Lisbon strategy have to be based on coherent statistical information.

The proposal to amend Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 will ensure the provision of statistical data on ICT usage in households, by individuals and in enterprises for the purpose of the benchmarking framework and its further developments under the Lisbon strategy.

This amendment aims to update the subjects of statistical data provision to cater for the new developments in the area of ICT. Additionally, means for data analysis would be improved with the objective of a better use of the statistical data and a reduction of burden on respondents.

This will be achieved by introducing new methods of data analysis as part of the proposed Programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (MEETS).