European statistical programme

1.   The European statistical programme shall provide the framework for the development, production and dissemination of European statistics, the main fields and the objectives of the actions envisaged for a period not exceeding five years. It shall be decided upon by the European Parliament and the Council. Its impact and cost effectiveness shall be assessed, involving independent experts.
2.   The European statistical programme shall lay down priorities concerning the needs for information for the purpose of carrying out the activities of the Community. Those needs shall be weighed against the resources needed at Community and national level to provide the required statistics, and also against the response burden and the respondent's associated costs.
3.   The Commission shall introduce initiatives to set priorities and reduce the response burden for all or part of the European statistical programme.
4.   The Commission shall submit the draft European statistical programme to the ESS Committee for prior examination.
5.   For each European statistical programme, the Commission shall, after consulting the ESS Committee, present an intermediate progress report and a final evaluation report and shall submit them to the European Parliament and to the Council.