DS ESA 2010 > Data revision EN REVAMP

Revisions to national accounts data occur when new information becomes available or when methodological improvements are implemented. 

In line with the European Statistics Code of Practice, revisions should follow standardised, well-established, and transparent procedures for implementation and communication. 

The practical guidelines for revising ESA 2010 data describe best practices to implement a harmonised European revision policy (HERP) covering both routine and major revisions.

DS ESA 2010 > Data revision Part 2 EN REVAMP

Types of revisions

Routine revisions (or current revisions) are changes in published data which are related to the regular data production process and encompass all changes in national accounts estimates for a particular period from the first to the final estimate.

Major revisions are revisions of data sources or methods used to estimate national accounts indicators. Major revisions can be divided into major ad-hoc revisions and major regular revisions. 

Major ad-hoc revisions originate from methodological changes, such as the introduction of a new ESA, or special events, for example EU enlargements. During these revisions, new or changed basic data sources and/or new estimation models are usually also incorporated. These major ad-hoc revisions are coordinated at EU level based on an agreed timetable.

Major regular revisions take place on a regular basis (every 5 to 10 years) to incorporate results of changes in basic data sources and/or new estimation methods. According to the harmonised European revision policy (HERP), benchmark revisions should take place for reference years ending with ‘0’ and ‘5’, with implementation years ending with ‘4’ and ‘9’. Both - major ad-hoc and major regular revisions - should generate entire time series or time series as far back as possible. 

In the context of HERP, the term ‘benchmark revision’ is used to signify a major regular revision. 

EU benchmark revisions

Harmonised benchmark revisions are coordinated major European revisions to incorporate new data sources and major changes in the methodology. They aim to ensure a maximum degree of consistency: 

  • within and between national accounts domains for the longest possible time series
  • across EU countries 
  • with balance of payments statistics. 

Preparations for the next coordinated benchmark revision of national accounts and balance in 2024 started. A coordinated communication by the European Statistics System (ESS) on the following aspects is foreseen:

Further reading