IREF380020false2026-05-13T02:06:40ZSDMX Cross Domain Concept SchemeThe Cross Domain Concept Scheme (starting from v2.0) is created from the set of concepts in the SDMX Glossary, which is an SDMX guideline containing concepts and related definitions that are useful for building and understanding data and metadata exchange arrangements based on SDMX. The Glossary provides definition of terms found in the SDMX Information Model, Data Structure Definitions (DSDs) and Metadata Structure Definitions (MSDs) at the time of the present release. It is recommended as a single entry point to a common SDMX terminology to be used in order to facilitate communication and understanding of the standard.In short, the overall message of the glossary is the following: if a term is used, then its precise meaning should correspond to the SDMX Glossary definition, and any reference to a particular phenomenon described in the SDMX Glossary should use the appropriate term.Version 1.0 of the SDMX Glossary, which replaces the Metadata Common Vocabulary (MCV) published in 2009, was finalised in February 2016. The Cross Domain Concept Scheme v1.0 was created from the MCV concepts.For any question, comment or correction, feel free to contact the SDMX Statistical Working Group (SWG) at the following address: swg@sdmx.org.CONTEXTThe statistical unit is the object of a statistical survey and the bearer of statistical characteristics. These units can, in turn, be divided into observation units and analytical units. Statistical units for economic statistics are defined on the basis of three criteria: 1) Legal, accounting or organisational criteria; 2) Geographical criteria; 3) Activity criteria. Statistical units comprise the enterprise, enterprise group, kind-of-activity unit (KAU), local unit, establishment, homogeneous unit of production, persons, households, geographical areas, events etc. Statistical units can be categorised into basic statistical units, i.e. those for which data are collected, and derived statistical units, i.e. those which are constructed during the statistical production process. A basic statistical unit is the most detailed level to which the obtained characteristics can be attached.TYPECross-domain conceptRECOMMENDED_REPRESENTATIONStringSOURCESDMX (2016) (https://sdmx.org/)Statistical unitEntity for which information is sought and for which statistics are ultimately compiled.