30.9.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L 255/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 1552/2005 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 7 September 2005 on statistics relating to vocational training in enterprises (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 285(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty ('), Whereas: (1) At the Lisbon European Council on 23 and 24 March 2000 the European Union set the strategic goal of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowl- edge-based economy in the world, capable of sustained economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. (2)  The employability, adaptability and mobility of citizens are vital for the Union to maintain its commitment to becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowl- edge-based economy in the world. (3)  Lifelong learning is a key element in developing and promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce. (4)  The Council Conclusions of 5 May 2003 on reference levels of European average performance in education and training (Benchmarks) (*) adopted the following benchmark for lifelong learning: ‘Therefore, by 2010, the European Union average level of participation in Lifelong Learning should be at least 12,5 % of the adult working age population (25 to 64 age group)’. (") Opinion of the European Parliament of 23 February 2005 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 27 June 2005. () O] C 134, 7.6.2003, p. 3. (5)  The Lisbon European Council confirmed lifelong learning as a basic component of the European social model. (6)  The new European Employment Strategy confirmed by Council Decision 2003/578/EC of 22 July 2003 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (*) aims to contribute better to the Lisbon strategy and to implement coherent and comprehensive strategies for lifelong learning. (7) ~ When applying this Regulation, account should be taken of the notion of ‘people at a disadvantage in the labour market’ given in the guidelines for the employment poli- cies of the Member States. (8)  Particular attention should be given to training at the workplace and during working hours, both these aspects being crucial dimensions of lifelong learning. (99  Comparable statistical information at Community level, with specific respect to vocational training in enterprises, is essential for the development of lifelong learning stra- tegies and for the monitoring of progress in their imple- mentation. (10) The production of specific Community statistics is governed by the rules set out in Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 of 17 February 1997 on Community Statis- tics (4. (11)  The transmission of data subject to statistical confidenti- ality is governed by the rules set out in Regulation (EC) No 322/97 and in Council Regulation (Euratom, EEC) No 1588/90 of 11 June 1990 on the transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality to the Statistical Office of the European Communities (). () OJL 197, 5.8.2003, p. 13. () OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 ofp the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31. 10 2003, p. 1). () OJ L 151, 15.6.1990, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 1882/2003.