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IPS55 Maria João S. et al.
engagement with stakeholders and particularly with users, the development
of partnerships with the private sector, the fight against disinformation, etc.
Importantly, it also reports on progress by Eurostat and the ESS as a whole as
regards implementation of previous ESGAB recommendations, and by
Member States on the implementation of the improvement actions emanating
from the 2013-2015 round of peer reviews on assessment of compliance with
the European Statistics Code of Practice.

5. The European Parliament in the statistical legislative process
The EU uses a variety of legislative procedures to adopt laws. The
procedure followed for a legislative proposal depends on the type and subject
of the proposal. The EP and Council jointly adopt the vast majority of EU laws
(ordinary legislative procedure), while in specific cases a single EU institution
can adopt legislation alone. The national parliaments of EU countries are
consulted on all Commission proposals, and any changes to the EU treaties
require the agreement of every EU country.
Most EU laws in the statistical domain are adopted using the ordinary
legislative procedure, in which the European Parliament (directly elected) and
the Council of the EU (representatives of the 28 EU countries) have equal say.
The Commission submits a legislative proposal to the Parliament and Council,
who must agree on the text for it to become EU law.
Via a series of readings of a proposed law, Parliament and Council review
and amend the text. If the two institutions agree on the amendments, the
proposed law is adopted. If the Parliament and Council cannot agree on
amendments, a second reading takes place. If no agreement is reached at the
second reading, the proposal is put before a ‘conciliation committee’ made up
of equal numbers of Parliament and Council representatives. Commission
representatives also attend the meetings and contribute. Once the committee
reaches an agreement, the text is sent to the Parliament and Council for a third
reading, so it can finally be adopted as law.

6. The European Parliament as user of official statistics
Official statistics underpin the development and implementation of EU
policies. Making the appropriate policy choices is key to delivering higher and
fairer growth, better jobs and a stronger capacity to smoothen the impacts of
global economic cycles. A consistent set of priorities is essential to guide
national reform plans and complement efforts made at EU level. Without high
quality official statistics, such objectives are not possible.

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