L 22818 Official Journal of the European Communities 8.9.2000 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1897/2000 of 7 September 2000 implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98 on the organisation of a labour force sample survey in the Community concerning the operational definition of unemployment THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 577/98 of 9 March 1998 on the organisation of a labour force sample survey in the Community (!), and in particular Article 4(3) thereof, Whereas: (1)  In accordance with Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 577/98, the definition of the variables and a list of principles for the formulation of questions concerning the labour status is to be drawn up. (2)  The international comparability of labour statistics requires that the Member States and the Community institutions measure employment and unemployment according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition of employment and unemployment. (3)  The Commission needs comparable indicators to monitor and assess progress as an effect of the imple- mentation of the Employment Guidelines (%). (4 A common definition of unemployment in all Member States, combined with a greater harmonisation of labour force survey questionnaires, is therefore needed. (5)  The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Statistical Programme Committee established by Council Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom (%), HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. The definition of unemployment is laid down in Annex I to this Regulation. 2. The principles for the formulation of the questions on the labour status are laid down in Annex II to this Regulation. Article 2 1. The questions on the labour status for the purposes of the Community labour force sample survey shall comply with the principles laid down in Annex II to this Regulation, and allow the measurement of unemployment as defined in Annex [ therein. 2. However, paragraph 1 may not apply during the time needed to adapt the labour force sample survey. In such case, Member States shall accompany the transmission to Eurostat of the Community labour force sample survey results with a clear identification of the deviations from the definition and princi- ples referred to in paragraph 1. Article 3 This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 7 September 2000. () O] L 77, 14.3.1998, p. 3. () O] C 69, 12.3.1999, p. 2. For the Commission Pedro SOLBES MIRA Member of the Commission () O L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.