Since 2005, the Federal Statistical Office has offered Quality Reports on all federal statistics. Through that medium, users are provided with standard-format information on the methods and definitions applied and on the quality of statistical results. Also, the quality reports contain information on other publications and contacts. Such additional information may be used by users to properly interpret the data and to better assess the information value of the data obtained.
The structure of the Quality Reports is based on the quality concept of the European Statistical System (ESS) and on the principles regarding the quality of statistical products according to the European Statistics Code of Practice. The statistical offices of the Federation and the Länder have dealt with the ESS quality concept and have adapted it to the quality reports.