Trail of material flows (in raw material equivalents)

The dataset directly contributes to EU policy priorities related to the Green Growth Strategy and Resource Efficiency Initiative and provides information on material flows in line with the UN National Accounts System (NSS) and its European version (ESS). The classifications used are: SAL-MSS Material Types Classification as set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2011 on economic accounts for the European environment. Statistical observation unit: country farm Statistical test total: All solid, gaseous and liquid substances shall be included in the SALW excluding air and water flows measured in thousands of tonnes per year. The SAL-MSS system contains two types of material flows that cross the boundaries of the system: flows of materials between the national economy and its natural environment. “Extraction” means the extraction of materials (i.e. raw, pure or untreated) from the natural environment and the removal of substances (often referred to as waste) in this environment; flows of materials between the national economy and farms in other parts of the world. This includes imports and exports. SAL-MSS includes flows crossing these system boundaries, as well as additions to human inventories. All other flows of materials of the country's economy are not specified in the SAL-MSS. This means that in the SALW system the national economy is considered as a whole and, for example, the delivery of products from one sector to another is not described. Natural flows in the natural environment are also excluded. The economic sector is treated as a “black box” and the transformation or redistribution of material flows within it is not analysed, but is confined to incoming and outgoing material flows. Geographical coverage: the entire economic territory of the country Time coverage: from 2008