Brussels, 20.2.2006
COM(2006) 66 final
In order to respond to increased need for statistical data to underpin policy making and monitoring, the proposed regulation improves the current regulation by increasing coverage of service activities, by adding annexes on Business Demography and Business Services and by introducing a new tool to respond to emerging user needs.
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No. 58/97 of 20 December 1996 concerning structural business statistics, which is the common framework for the collection, compilation, transmission and evaluation of Community statistics on the structure, activity, competitiveness and performance of businesses in the Community, has been amended four times. Since further amendments are to be made, it should be recast in the interests of clarity.
The recast regulation aims to continue with the existing statistical support for decisions in current policy areas and to satisfy the additional requirements arising from new Community policy initiatives, and from the ongoing review of statistical priorities and the necessity of the statistics produced all this with a view to making best use of available resources and minimising response burden.