We are currently developing the documentation of statistics. At the moment, the content is not necessarily up-to-date in all respects.
Postal and small freight delivery: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Postal and small freight delivery
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The statistics have been discontinued. The annual statistics on postal and small freight delivery are published jointly by Statistics Finland and the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority. The statistics contain data on the delivery activity taking place within industry 6411, National post activities, and on its turnover, as well as on the delivery and small freight activity that takes place outside actual post activities. The statistics cover all enterprises of the National post activities industry 6411 and the largest enterprises in industry 6412, Courier activities other than national post activities. In addition, the examination extends to a number of enterprises outside the aforementioned industries practising small freight delivery. The data are collected from the enterprises with mailed questionnaires. The data content of the inquiry and the used classification have been specified by a working group set up for the development of post activities. The statistics are used to monitor prevailing competition in the post activities industry and to produce data for EU statistics and other information needs.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Postal item
A postal item refers to an object or message equipped with the name and address of its recipient which the sender has left to a postal service provider for delivery through regular postal transportation as a postal item referred to in the Postal Services Act.
Postal operations
Postal operations refer to the conveyance of postal items from the sender of the post or from another postal undertaking to the recipient of the post or to another postal undertaking against a fee.
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information:
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data.
Further information: The terms of use for statistical data
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (eur-lex.europa.eu) and the Finnish Data Protection Act (Finlex.fi) are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (Finlex.fi).
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection