16.9.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 230/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 1608/2003/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 22 July 2003 concerning the production and development of Community statistics on science and technology (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 285 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: 1 There is a need for comparable statistics on research and development, technological innovation and science and technology in general in order to support Community policies. Council Decision 94/78/EC, Euratom of 24 January 1994 establishing a multiannual programme for the development of Community statistics on research, devel- opment and innovation (), highlighted the objectives of setting out a Community reference framework for statis- tics and of establishing a harmonised Community statis- tical information system in this field. The final report for the programme period 1994 to 1997 emphasises that the work should be continued, that data should be made available more rapidly, that the regional coverage should be extended and that the comparability of the data must be increased. In accordance with Council Decision 1999/126/EC of 22 December 1998 on the Community statistical programme 1998 to 2002 (¥, the statistical information system is to support the management of science and technology policies in the Community and the assess- ment of R&D and innovation capability of regions for administration of structural funds. () O] C 332 E, 27.2.2001, p. 238. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 2 July 2002 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 17 March 2003 (OJ C 125 E, 27.5.2003, p. 58) and Decision of the European Parliament of 19 June 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () OJL 38,9.2.1994, p. 30. () OJL 42, 16.6.1999, p. 1. () ®) In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 of 17 February 1997 on Community statistics (°), those statistics are to be governed by the principles of imparti- ality, reliability, relevance, cost-effectiveness, statistical confidentiality and transparency. In order to ensure usefulness and comparability of the data and avoid overlap of work, the Community should take into account work carried out in cooperation with or by the OECD and other international organisations concerning science and technology statistics, especially as regards the details of data to be provided by the Member States. Community policy on science, technology and innova- tion attaches particular importance to strengthening the scientific and technological basis of European businesses so as to enable them to be more innovative and compe- titive on the international and regional level, realising the benefits of the information society and promoting the transfer of technology, improving activities in the domain of intellectual property rights and the develop- ment of mobility of human resources, and promoting equality between men and women in science. The principles of cost-effectiveness and relevance should apply to data collection procedures for industry and administrations, taking into account the necessary quality of the data and the burden on the respondents. It is essential that developments in official statistics on science and technology are coordinated to cater also for the essential needs of national, regional and local admin- istrations, international organisations, economic opera- tors, professional associations and the general public. () OJL 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1.