This section looks at who collects data published on ESDS International macro databanks and how that collection is managed.

It introduces the main international organisations responsible for the data and its publication and discusses who is responsible for improving data standards.

It emphasises the importance of checking metadata in making cross national comparisons and suggests ways that metadata can be accessed from within the ESDS International site and elsewhere.

It indicates who is responsible for the harmonisation of data series between countries in order to make more accurate cross national comparisons possible.