Data collection and submission
Article 3
1. By 31 December each year, Member States shall submit to the Commission the data specified in the questionnaire included in the Annex in respect of the preceding year. 2. Each Member State shall submit to the Commission the data relating to rail transport on its territory. 3. Where a railway undertaking operates in more than one Member State, it shall provide the national authorities with separate data for each Member State in which it operates. 4. Member States may obtain the necessary data from a combination of the following sources: (a) mandatory surveys; (b) administrative data, including data collected by statistical offices and other authorities; (c) statistical estimations, while explaining methods used; (d) data supplied by relevant industry organisations or other concerned parties; and (e) ad hoc studies. The entities holding the relevant data shall provide it when requested. 5. In order to help Member States ensure the quality and comparability of their data, the Commission may develop methodological guidance materials taking into account the best practices adopted by national authorities and professional organisations in the railway industry. 6. Member States shall submit the data to the Commission using the electronic form of the questionnaire to be made available by the Commission on its website. 7. Member States and the Commission shall respect the commercial confidentiality of information provided to them.