August 5, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. The new version of the Law "On State Statistics" comes into force on August 17 of the current year, BELTA reports with reference to the website of the National Statistical Committee.
When preparing the new version of the law, the practice of applying the current legislation on state statistics, the best practices of national statistical services of other states, including the EAEU member states, as well as recommendations of international experts based on the results of an adapted global assessment of the national statistical system were taken into account.
Thus, the terminology has been clarified and expanded. Following global statistical practice, the term "administrative data" has been included in the law, and the possibility of using it in the formation of official statistical information has been provided to reduce the reporting burden on respondents.
The basic principles of state statistics have been adjusted and harmonized in accordance with the fundamental principles of official statistics and the European Statistics Code of Practice. In order to comply with the principle of independence in carrying out state statistical activities and to strengthen the coordinating role of Belstat, the approaches to forming the interdepartmental council on state statistics have been changed.
The law expands the range of subjects of legal relations in the field of state statistics, which include users of official statistical information, and defines their rights and obligations.
Significant changes have been made to the powers of state organizations authorized to conduct state statistics. Their rights and obligations are practically analogous to the functionality of state statistical bodies. The law also provides for the adjustment of the rights and obligations of respondents.
In order to ensure one of the basic principles of state statistics – the confidentiality of primary statistical data – the law clearly defines the cases in which such data may be subject to disclosure, and also establishes a prohibition on requesting primary statistical data in other cases.
The procedure for disseminating official statistical information has been specified, and other changes and additions regarding the organization and conduct of state statistics have been provided. -0-