Tasks
The Federal Statistics Committee helps ensure that official statistics meet the requirements of a democratic society. The committee advises the Federal Council, the Federal Department of Home Affairs, the Federal Statistical Office and other producers of statistics on important statistical matters, with due regard also to international practice.
- Drawing up and accompaniment of the multi-annual programme for federal statistics.
- Drafting of recommendations and guidelines for statistical works;
- Dissemination policy for statistical information;
- Improvement of official statistics in Switzerland.
Legal framework
Article 13 of the Federal Statistics Act stipulates the introduction of a Federal Statistics Committee by the Federal Council.
Structure
The Federal Department of Home Affairs appoints members to the Federal Statistics committee for a period of four years (legislative period). All members can be re-elected. The committee is comprised of a maximum of 25 representatives from the cantons and communes, from the scientific and economic community, the social partners, the federal administration and the Swiss National Bank. The presidency is held by a representative from the scientific community.
