Users must submit a written request together with a detailed research proposal. The latter must indicate, in sufficient detail, the set of data to be accessed, the methods of analysis, and the time needed for the research. The request and proposal are examined by the Statistical Confidentiality Committee, an internal body within ELSTAT, which makes recommendations to the President on: granting researchers’ access to confidential data for scientific purposes, the analysis level at which statistical data can be released to avoid re-identification of statistical units, and anonymisation criteria for the microdata provided. If the request is approved, then a contract between the researchers, their institution and ELSTAT must be signed.
As of 2014, ELSTAT is considering solutions to simplify these procedures while respecting statistical confidentiality.