Abstract:

The National Statistical System (NSS) includes the Statistical Council, the State body that superintends and coordinates the system; the National Statistical Institute, IP (hereinafter referred to as Statistics Portugal), the central body responsible for the production and dissemination of official statistics, that ensures the supervision and the technical and scientific coordination of the NSS; the Bank of Portugal that, as part of its mission, is responsible for the collection and compilation of monetary, financial, foreign exchange and balance of payments statistics; the Regional Services of Statistics of the Autonomous Regions of Açores and Madeira that act as delegations of the Statistics Portugal in relation to nationwide statistics as statistical authorities in what concerns regional statistics; and other entities producing official statistics by delegation of Statistics Portugal.

Statistics Portugal, Bank of Portugal, Regional Services of Statistics of the Autonomous Regions of Açores and Madeira and entities producing official statistics by delegation of Statistics Portugal are considered statistical authorities, having responsibility for the production of official statistics, and empowered to require (mandatory and gratuitously) to all departments or agencies, individuals and legal entities, information necessary for the production of official statistics.

The official statistics are produced with technical independence and considered as public good, observing the national and international quality standards, and meeting the users' needs in an efficient manner, preventing the providers of information to the statistical authorities from an excessive burden, by using increasingly the administrative data.

All personal data collected by the statistical authorities for statistical purposes, are considered confidential, and legally protected All people connected with the production of official statistics are obliged to professional secrecy. To break confidentiality is considered a very serious administrative offence that implies criminal responsibility.

Miss or delay response to surveys from statistical authorities is considered a serious administrative offence, submitted to financial punishment.

Abstract:

Statistics Portugal is a public institute with a special regime integrating the indirect State administration, endowed with administrative autonomy. Its mission is to produce and disseminate, in an effective, efficient and independent manner, high-quality official statistical information relevant for society as a whole.

In the exercise of official statistical activities, Statistics Portugal enjoys technical independence and may, in its capacity as national statistical authority, require information to be reported, which shall be mandatory and free of charge, safeguarding respect for statistical confidentiality, according the National Statistical System Law.

Abstract:

The structure of Statistics Portugal is organized in three hierarchical levels: departments, units and sections. This executive order also defines the competences and areas of intervention of 1st level as well as the possibility of creating two project teams with multidisciplinary and transversal nature to the different areas of activity. The data protection officer of Statistics Portugal is also responsible for the coordination of matters concerning personal data.