The Statistics, Telematic Networks & EDI Working Group (STNE WG) sets out to co-ordinate the development of informatics in support of the Community Statistical System.
The STNE Working Group was set up by the European Statistical Programme Committee to co-ordinate activities which come under its area of expertise (e.g. information technology, telematic networks, EDI, new technologies and standardisation), in particular during the development of DSIS, the co-ordination of related activities in relevant projects such as EDICOM, SERT, statistics under the Commission's Research and Development Framework Programme, and standardisation. Click here for the actual terms of reference. Click here for the STNE WG organisation and procedures.
The working group's responsibilities include ensuring that the requirements of Competent National Statistical Administrations are fully understood and taken into account and that the most appropriate technical solutions and system management practices are adopted and implemented accordingly.
The Statistical Programme Committee has stressed that the working group must: be pragmatic; be involved in trials; honour the principles of subsidiarity when developing its annual work programmes; and use existing and proven tools and technology whenever possible.
The work of the STNE Working Group is supported by the European Commission's Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA) programme.
The working group meets twice a year in Luxembourg and comprises representatives from all Member States, Eurostat, Statistics Norway and the EFTA Secretariat. Observers have been welcomed from the national statistics administrations of Switzerland and Poland, and from several Central Banks. The group is supported by the DSIS programme management function.