THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 213 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas, in order to carry out the tasks assigned to it by the Treaty, in particular those set out in Articles 2, 3, 117, 118, 122 and 123 thereof, the Commission must be kept informed of labour costs and workers' incomes in the Member States;

Whereas the statistical information available in each Member State does not provide a valid basis for comparisons, in particular because of the differences between the laws, regulations and administrative practices of the Member States, and whereas surveys must therefore be carried out and the results processed on the basis of uniform definitions and methods;

Whereas the best method of assessing the level, composition and trends of both labour costs and of workers' incomes is to carry out specific surveys, as was most recently done in 1989 in implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1612/88 of 9 June 1988 relating to the organization of a survey of labour costs in industry, wholesale and retail distribution, banking and insurance, on the basis of accounting data relating to 1988;

Whereas, because of the major changes in the level and structure of expenditure by undertakings on wages and related employers' contributions, a new survey must be carried out based on accounting data for 1992 in industry, trade, banking and insurance, in order to bring up to date the results of the previous survey;

Whereas, because of the changes in the economic structures and the unemployment situation in the Member States the range of economic activities covered must be extended, particularly in the services sector;

Whereas, because of the size of the field covered, the survey must be based on a sample in order to avoid placing an excessive burden on the undertakings and the budgets of the European Communities and the Member States,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: