The National Statistics Institute has developed Consumer Price Index Systems since 1939.

Changes in consumer habits, observed through family budget surveys, have required modifications to the structure of the weights over time that have been reflected in the Consumer Price Index Systems that have been in effect in Spain and whose bases have been the years 1958, 1968, 1976, 1983 and 1992.

Currently, on the one hand, the Continuous Family Budget Survey, implemented in 1997, provides information adapted to the new International Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose, The European Union has agreed to the agreement of the 15 Member States on the common position of the European Union. On the other hand, the methodological improvements experienced in the elaboration of the indices, and the tendency to homogenize the methodologies applied in the fifteen Member States of the European Union, advise to establish a new System of Indices Consumer prices based on the year 2001.

The System Change process will include the adaptation to the International Consumer Classification, the implementation of the new weight structure and the selection of the products selected for the collection of the prices.

In its virtue, on the proposal of the President of the National Statistics Institute, the Minister of Economy has a good idea:

First. Compilation of the CPI according to the new base.-The National Statistics Institute will compile monthly Consumer Price Indices, based on the year 2001, since January 2002. During the year 2001, the National Statistics Institute will continue to produce the Consumer Price Indexes monthly according to the previous system in force in 1992.

Second. Population coverage. -The Consumer Price Indices, based on the year 2001, will be developed taking into account the new spending structure of the entire population resident in Spain in family housing.

Third. Functional classification.-The Consumer Price Indices, based on the year 2001, will use the International Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose.

Consequently, the partial consumption price indices of the following groups will be produced, monthly:

1. Food and non-alcoholic beverages.

2. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

3. Dress and footwear.

4. Housing.

5. Menaje.

6. Medicine.

7. Transport.

8. Communications.

9. Leisure and culture.

10. Teaching.

11. Hotels, cafes and restaurants.

12. Other goods and services.

Fourth. Relative variations. -1. Until December 2001, they will officially apply the relative variations which will be provided by the general indices of the system on the basis of 1992 and, as of January 2002, those of the new system on the basis of the year 2001.

2. The relative changes of January 2002 to December 2001 will be the ones provided by the new Consumer Price Index System based on the year 2001.

Fifth. Housing for rent. -From January 2002, the National Statistics Institute will continue to calculate the National Index of heading 33 "Housing for rent" with the new system.

Repeal provision.

Any other provisions of equal or lower rank which are contrary to the provisions of this Order, in particular the Order of 15 December 1992 establishing the System of Indices, are hereby repealed. of Consumer Prices, base 1992.

Madrid, 30 August 2001.

HANGING OUT AND FIGAREDO

Ilma. President of the National Statistics Institute.