Federal office of statistics is committed to the provision of quality statistics by the Law on Federal Office of Statistics and on the basis of the values of BiH statistics. Quality has been dealt also by the EU code of practice.

The EU Code of Practice, a set of 15 principles and measurable indicators, has the dual purpose of, on the one hand, improving trust and confidence in statistical authorities by proposing certain institutional andorganisational arrangements and, on the other hand, reinforcing the quality of the statistics they produce and disseminate, by promoting the coherent application of best international statistical principles, methods and practices by all producers of official statistics in Europe.

The Code is addressed for implementation to:

Governance authorities (i.e. Governments, Ministries, Commission, Council) - to provide guidelines for them to ensure that their statistical services are professionally organised and resourced to produce credible European Statistics in a manner that guarantees independence, integrity and accountability;

Statistical authorities and their staff - to provide a benchmark of statistical principles, values and best practices that should help them in producing and disseminating high quality, harmonised European Statistics.

The principles of EU Code of Practice are grouped in three sections:

Principle 1: Professional Independence - The professional independence of statistical authorities from other policy, regulatory or administrative departments and bodies, as well as from private sector operators, ensures the credibility of European Statistics.

Principle 2: Mandate for Data Collection - Statistical authorities must have a clear legal mandate to collect information for European statistical purposes. Administrations, enterprises and households, and the public at large may be compelled by law to allow access to or deliver data for European statistical purposes at the request of statistical authorities.

Principle 3: Adequacy of Resources - The resources available to statistical authorities must be sufficient to meet European Statistics requirements.

Principle 4: Quality Commitment - All ESS members commit themselves to work and co-operate according to the principles fixed in the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System.

Principle 5: Statistical Confidentiality - The privacy of data providers (households, enterprises, administrations and other respondents), the confidentiality of the information they provide and its use only for statistical purposes must be absolutely guaranteed.

Principle 6: Impartiality and Objectivity - Statistical authorities must produce and disseminate European Statistics respecting scientific independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably.

Principle 7: Sound Methodology - Sound methodology must underpin quality statistics. This requires adequate tools, procedures and expertise.

Principle 8: Appropriate Statistical Procedures – Appropriate statistical procedures, implemented from data collection to data validation, must underpin quality statistics.

Principle 9: Non-Excessive Burden on Respondents - The reporting burden should be proportionate to the needs of the users and should not be excessive for respondents. The statistical authority monitors the response burden and sets targets for its reduction over time.

Principle 10: Cost Effectiveness - Resources must be effectively used.

Principle 11: Relevance - European Statistics must meet the needs of users.

Principle 12: Accuracy and Reliability - European Statistics must accurately and reliably portray reality.

Principle 13: Timeliness and Punctuality - European Statistics must be disseminated in a timely and punctual manner.

Principle 14: Coherence and Comparability - European Statistics should be consistent internally, over time and comparable between regions and countries; it should be possible to combine and make joint use of related data from different sources.