Abstract

Peer reviews within the European Statistical System (ESS) serve as a crucial tool for ensuring the quality and reliability of statistical processes and outputs. These reviews are conducted periodically to assess compliance with the European Statistics Code of Practice (ESCoP), which sets standards for professional independence, methodological soundness, and data quality. The peer review process involves an in-depth examination of the practices of national statistical institutes, focusing on areas such as data collection, processing, dissemination, and the overall governance of the statistical system. The impact of these peer reviews is multifaceted. Firstly, they enhance transparency and accountability within the ESS by providing an independent assessment of how national statistical systems adhere to ESCoP. This, in turn, fosters trust among users of European statistics, including policymakers, researchers, and the general public, by ensuring that the statistics produced are of high quality and comparable across member states. Secondly, peer reviews identify best practices and areas for improvement, promoting knowledge exchange and capacity building among member states. This collaborative approach helps harmonize statistical methodologies across Europe, leading to more coherent and consistent statistical outputs. Moreover, the recommendations from peer reviews should lead to reforms and improvements in national statistical systems (NSS). These changes can involve adopting new technologies, improving data governance frameworks, or enhancing the professional independence of statistical authorities. As a result, peer reviews contribute to the continuous modernization and strengthening of the ESS, ensuring that it remains responsive to the evolving needs of European governance and society. The paper discusses the significant role of peer reviews in shaping the future of the ESS and highlights that peer reviews are not just an evaluative exercise but a dynamic process that drives progress within the ESS. By identifying strengths and weaknesses, fostering cooperation, and encouraging reforms, peer reviews play a critical role in shaping the future of European statistics, ensuring they remain robust, relevant, and trusted by all stakeholders. A special focus is laid on possible consequences triggered by the most recent round of peer reviews which were conducted from 2021 to 2023. This concerns new roles for NSIs in national data eco systems, the use of privately held data and the use of standardized production tools