Statistics Ordinance - Exceptions to the Scope

1. The Statistics Act and this Decree do not apply to

a) statistical activities that serve exclusively for the internal control of processes and operations;

b) small surveys that are conducted and evaluated once where the statistical information obtained is intended for a single project;

c) the evaluation of the services of the cantonal administration through customer surveys;

d) surveys of employees about their job satisfaction.

1. The competence for recurring statistics is determined by the portfolio in the annual report of the cantonal statistics office according to Article 7, Paragraph 1 of this decree.

1. Cantonal Statistical Office is the Office for Data and Statistics in the Department of Economic Affairs.

1. The Cantonal Statistics Office shall fulfill the following tasks in particular. It

a) carries out statistical activities;

b) maintains the publication calendar;

c) operates publication channels for statistical information;

d) maintains a repository of cantonal statistical information and data and ensures access to the stored statistical information and data;

e) supports the departments of the cantonal administration in their statistical activities.

1. The offices of the cantonal administration shall inform the cantonal statistical office when

a) they plan or initiate a new statistical activity;

b) they are invited by the federal government or other third parties to undertake a new statistical activity;

c) an existing statistical activity is to be significantly modified or discontinued;

d) an electronic administrative register is being established or changed. Exempt are administrative registers that are not suitable for statistical use.

2. The cantonal statistical office is entitled to participate in the planning of statistical activities and electronic administrative registers.

1. The cantonal statistics office shall, in collaboration with the departments and the state chancellery, develop the multi-year program.

2. It shall ensure that

a) the multi-year program is aligned with the priority planning according to Art. 16b of the State Administration Act of June 16, 1994;

b) the municipalities are consulted in cases provided for by law.

1. The cantonal statistics office prepares an annual report on the implementation of the multi-year program. The portfolio of the canton’s statistical activities is part of this report.

2. The Department of Economic Affairs submits the report to the government for approval.

1. The cantonal statistical office may establish survey standards with specifications on the methodology for data collection. It may prescribe uniform designations and nomenclature.

1. The regulation to be issued by the competent authority pursuant to Art. 12(3) of the Statistics Act includes

a) the subject of the survey;

b) the type of survey;

c) the frequency of the survey;

d) in the case of direct surveys, the group of respondents and the information obligations towards the respondents;

e) data protection and the body responsible for ensuring compliance with data protection;

f) whether participation in the survey is compensated and the amount of any possible compensation.

2. The competent authority of the canton shall notify the cantonal statistics office of the regulation prior to the commencement of the survey.

1. The authority responsible for data collection informs the respondents whether they are obliged to provide information.

2. It advises the respondents that if they participate in the survey, they are obliged to be truthful.

3. This information is not required in the case of indirect surveys conducted at cantonal and municipal administrative offices.

1. Any natural or legal persons who are commissioned outside of the cantonal administration for data collection must enter into a written contract.

2. The contract shall be submitted to the cantonal statistics office before it is signed. If necessary, this office shall establish data collection standards in accordance with Article 8 of this decree.

1. Statistical data and information, as well as the documentation necessary for their sustainable use, shall be submitted to the cantonal statistics office for filing.

2. The cantonal statistics office may establish exceptions.

1. The initial publication of statistical information generally takes place in a publication channel of the cantonal statistics office.

2. The cantonal statistics office may allow exceptions upon request from the office responsible for the publication.

1. The authority responsible for publication determines the time of publication.

2. It notifies the cantonal statistics office of the time of publication as early as possible, but no later than six months before the planned release.

3. The cantonal statistics office publishes the time of publication in the publication calendar.

1. The cantonal statistical office establishes publication standards.

2. The publication standards specify qualitative requirements for the publication of statistical information.

1. Any party publishing statistical information shall submit this information to the relevant departments and the cantonal statistical office for verification of factual accuracy no later than two weeks before publication.

2. The relevant department and the cantonal statistical office may agree to exempt the update of an existing publication from such verification.

1. Statistical data may only be released to third parties by the cantonal statistics office. The cantonal statistics office shall consult with the affected office in advance.

2. The release of data, as well as any associated conditions and requirements, shall be agreed upon in writing.

1. This decree shall be applied from July 1, 2012.