The general principle is to record the information featuring in the civil register or in census returns for all persons born on one of the designated EDP days.

All persons born in France on one of these days are integrated into the EDP at birth, and the information given on their birth certificate is recorded.

Other residents, those not born in France, are integrated into the EDP after each census, on the basis of information taken from census declarations.

Once a person is registered in the Permanent Demographic Sample, any new information concerning them is added to their records. This includes events recorded on the civil register (marriages, births, deaths) and census information (details of the person, their housing and, where relevant, those living at the same address: partners, parents, children).

Data comparison is carried out within the rules stipulated in Decree n°84-393 of May 23rd 1984, by agreement with the National Commission for Information Technology and Liberties (CNIL).

Data concerning deceased individuals for whom a death certificate has been received by INSEE will remain in the EDP.

The sample will thus continue to grow over the years. Data storage and access to information which has had all identities removed are governed by strict conditions intended to guarantee confidentiality.