The Ownership Group for SDMX implementation for macro-economic statistics (SDMX-MES OG) mandated a technical sub-group to propose global Data Structure Defintions (DSDs) for the implementation of SDMX in SEEA. The SDMX-MES OG is already responsible for SDMX DSDs in the areas of National Accounts (incl. Government Finance), Balance of Payments, Foreign Direct Investment and Price Indices. More information on the mandate of the SDMX-MES OG and the existing packages can be found on the SDMX website:

• SDMX-MES package on National Accounts and Government Finance: https://sdmx.org/?page_id=1498
• SDMX-MES packages on Balance of Payments and Foreign Direct Investment: https://sdmx.org/?page_id=1747
• SDMX-MES pilot package on Consumer Price Index (CPI and HICP): https://sdmx.org/?sdmx_news=pilot-review-global-dsds-for-consumer-price-indices-cpi-and-harmonised-indices-of-consumer-prices-hicp

The sub-group on SDMX for SEEA is composed of representatives from Eurostat, FAO, OECD, UNECE, UNSD and UN Environment.The overall scope of the work has been defined to cover the following SEEA priority accounts as mandated by the UN Statistical Commission:

1. Air emissions
2. Energy flows
3. Material flows
4. Water flows
5. Land (land use and land cover)

It is noted that some of these accounts will deliver indicators to monitor sustainable development goals (SDGs). In particular, the information in the material flow accounts and water flow accounts can be directly used for SDG indicators. The other priority accounts can also contribute to SDGs depending on what is the main data source for SDG indicators. The methodology and data sources for many SDG indicators are still under discussion (indicators Tier III) and thus there is an opportunity to have other SEEA aligned SDG indicators. The scope of the work includes some reference metadata which is "close to the data" and is usually transmitted together with data. Other more high level reference metadata (e.g. methodological notes) are currently out of scope. This aspect would be picked up once discussion on Metadata Structure Definitions (MDSs) is elaborated for all domains within the MES area. The process follows the generic "Checklist for SDMX Design Projects" that is available on the SDMX website: https://sdmx.org/?sdmx_news=checklist-for-sdmx-design-projects. An important milestone in every SDMX project is the pilot review phase. It consists of two phases: a content review and a technical review. The aim of the content review is that the project's DESIGN stage material is understandable, well-designed, and that it covers the scope of the project. The main deliverable for review is the "DSD matrix". The aim of the technical review is to test that the project's SDMX artefacts can be implemented at system level as efficiently as possible. It includes to test material such as example data messages and xml-schemas. The SDMX artefacts should be available in a registry, and the implementation & usage guidelines are sent for documentation. Further details on the process can be found in the checklist mentioned above. For this project it was decided to conduct the content and technical reviews in parallel. This guideline document should support participants conducting the pilot review. Please send any comments you may have on the package to ESTAT-SUPPORT-SDMX@ec.europa.eu and Daniel.Suranyi@ec.europa.eu by 31st July 2018. The group will review the comments received during the pilot consultation and publish decisions on any follow-up actions taken and created an updated version of the package as needed in due time after that.  

• Download Pilot Package (V0.1)