Expert Group on International Economic and Social Classifications New York, 18-20 May 2011 Update of the Mandate for the Expert Group

Expert Group on International Economic and Social Classifications

New York, 18-20 May 2011

Update of the Mandate for the Expert Group

Background

• Expert group established in 1994 and reports to UN Statistical Commission– Early focus on integration of data for national accounting– Mainly concerned with economic classifications (ISIC, CPC)

• 1995 agreement that work should be expanded to include social classifications

• Concerned with ISCO from 2005 onwards.• Lengthy discussion of the group’s mandate and working

methods at meeting of September 2009 in light of changing requirements and further expansion of the subject matter of the classifications to be discussed

Expert Group on International Economica and Social Classifications, 18-20 May 2011. Update of the Mandate, David Hunter, ILO

Reasons for updating the mandate • Expansion of need for coordination and harmonization of

classifications work beyond economic and social statistics and current international reference classifications– Environmental activities, energy, waste

• Multiple groups developing international standards and frameworks for related subject matter– Poor coordination of work on related classifications– Lack of specific expertise in classifications among membership of

subject matter working groups– Need for guidelines for groups submitting work to the group

• Need to ensure requirements of developing World are reflected in new international reference classifications


New Terms of Reference

• Align with earlier ToR specified by UNSC• Clarify the role of the group in relation to the

International Family of ... Classifications• Clarify the role of the Group for emerging

areas of statistics• Continue to recognize the role of the Group in

supporting UNSD and other agencies


Functions and role of the group

• Promoting best practice in classification work• International Family of Economic and Social Classifications

– Coordinating work on reference classifications– Promoting their adoption– Assessing requests for inclusion of classifications in the family– Ensuring usefulness in statistical activities, conceptual and

methodological coherence, operational feasibility

• Revision and review of existing and emerging classifications• Guidance to UNSD and other custodians of classifications• Special responsibility to manage development of

classifications to be endorsed by UNSC


Working arrangements for the Expert Group

• Convened by UNSD who invites experts from: international agencies, countries, custodians and users of classifications

• Membership for two years with 4-day meetings at least every 2 years

• May establish subgroups to carry out certain tasks• Bureau elected at each meeting to distribute tasks, carry out

day-to-day management and act as a bridge between meetings


Documents

Expert Group on International Economic and Social Classifications New York, 18-20 May 2011 Update of the Mandate for the Expert Group