The reform of the regulation, agreed between the European Parliament and member state negotiators, sets out to ensure that European statistics remain relevant by taking into account changing and more demanding user needs, notably by tapping the full potential of digital data sources and technologies, by enabling their re-use for European statistics, by making the European Statistical System (ESS) more agile and able to respond effectively to crises, and by promoting data sharing and strengthening coordination among the ESS’s partners.

More specifically, the reform will:

• give more legal certainty on the definition of what constitutes a 'crisis'. The legal base was also enlarged to capture 'urgent policy needs'.
• ensure that the access and the use of privately held data is coupled with a protection of the private nature of that data.
• ensure that the access for researchers to European data is improved and that there is an obligation for statistical authorities to share data with the European System of Central Banks (ESCB), when a request is made.
• clarify the governance structure of the ESS in order to avoid undue pressure being placed on, or actions taken against personnel of statistical authorities, as has at times happened in the past.

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After the deal was reached the lead negotiator for the European Parliament, Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR, BE) said: “I am pleased with this agreement. It modernizes our European Statistical System, enhances cooperations with the ESCB, and provides the heads of our statistical institutions with additional clarity against arbitrary political decisions. ”