Principle 13: Timeliness and Punctuality

Timeliness meets European and other international release standards.

INSEE complies with international dissemination standards, in particular that proposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This standard establishes the principle of providing users with a description of the data production and dissemination methods, and of disseminating an advance release calendar (for the next four months). In keeping with these commitments, INSEE draws up and disseminates on its website the Four-Month Calendar containing the main economic indicators (some of which correspond to the main economic indicators of the IMF).

In addition, the regulatory framework with which INSEE complies also includes European regulations setting mandatory dates for the transmission of data to Eurostat.

A standard daily time for the release of statistics is made public.

Release dates and times for the main economic indicators and economic outlook notes and reports are announced in the Four-Month Calendar. In addition, INSEE disseminates the National Publications Calendar listing the publications to be released over the next two weeks.

To guarantee completely equal treatment regarding all public access to information, the economic outlook indicators and publications are released at the exact time that the embargo is lifted. This measure ensures information is made available to all users at precisely the same moment.

The periodicity of statistics takes into account user requirements as much as possible.

To the extent possible, the selection of the publication frequency for statistics takes into account user needs. Prior to issuing its opinion on appropriateness, the National Council for Statistical Information (Ouvrir dans un nouvel ongletCNIS) ensures that the publication frequency chosen meets the need or is close to doing so, in view of the production constraints of the survey.

Users can also give an opinion on the publication frequency of statistics in the places where they can be consulted, as can user groups.

The needs of Eurostat are also taken into account. INSEE disseminates its data files to Eurostat in accordance with the frequencies and deadlines defined in European regulations.

Therefore, the choice of publication frequency may differ from the need of users. This is the case, in particular, when this need is not compatible with the statistical quality criteria desired by INSEE.

Divergence from the dissemination time schedule is publicised in advance, explained and a new release date set.

In cases in which INSEE postpones the publication of certain data, in respect of the announced calendar, journalists are informed of that postponement, either in the form of a press release or through a notice in the publication programme. The reason for the postponement is explained and the new publication date is communicated.

In addition, the French Official Statistics Authority (ASP) ensures compliance with the dissemination calendar by the entire French Official Statistical Service.

Preliminary results of acceptable aggregate accuracy and reliability can be released when considered useful.

The shortening of deadlines for the production of statistics and the provision of results is a major concern for the entire French Official Statistics Service. The speedy dissemination of statistics is essential for users and constitutes a major challenge for upholding and even increasing the reputation of Official Statistics.

To the extent possible and in response to an identified need, INSEE therefore publishes a provisional version of data within a short period of time, then revises them after taking into account additional data sources and completing the necessary checks and processing, as mentioned in its Revision Policy. Such is the case for the following, in particular: