Policy regarding the reuse of ESCB statistics

The European System of Central Banks (ESCB) releases its statistics and related methodologies via the websites of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of the national central banks (NCBs). In the light of increasing demand for its statistics, the ESCB makes continuous efforts to facilitate their use. Against this background, the ESCB would like to clarify its common policy regarding the reuse of ESCB statistics.

The ESCB is committed to providing its statistics free of charge as a public good of high quality irrespective of any subsequent commercial or non-commercial use.

The ESCB subscribes to a policy of free access and free reuse regarding its publicly released statistics, subject to the conditions described below.

The ESCB attaches great importance to the quality of its statistics, in accordance with the principles set out in the Public commitment on European Statistics by the ESCB.

Conditions for the reuse of ESCB statistics

All publicly available ESCB statistics may be reused free of charge on the condition that the source is quoted (e.g. “Source: ECB statistics.”) and that the statistics (including metadata) are not modified. The policy of free access and free reuse does not imply a right to obtain confidential data.

The following additional rules apply:

1. The right of free reuse refers to standard tools as made available to the public, which must be used in accordance with the respective disclaimers issued by the NCBs and the ECB.
2. The right of free use does not apply to third-party data without a prior permission from the originator.
3. Users are not entitled to expect continuity of all ESCB statistics published and should note that statistics may be changed as a result of revisions or other updates.
4. Access to ESCB statistics may be restricted in exceptional circumstances for example if a user is acting in a manner contrary to the interests of other users

Public commitment on European Statistics by the ESCB

See also