Article 1. Definitions
Census: A census is a statistical survey which covers all individuals/units of the population under study. Some common subjects of census-taking are economic and social activities, population, housing, agriculture, manufacturing, construction and trade. When a census is nationwide it is classified as a national census.
Sample survey: A sample survey is a survey during which data on a sample of the individuals/units of the population under study are collected based on scientific statistical methods. The results of a sample survey should be generalizable.
Current survey: A current survey is a survey which draws on documents, reports and forms reflecting ongoing activities of the ministries and government/ government-affiliated departments and companies.
National accounts: National accounts refer to the statistical reflection of all economic activities of the nation during a certain period.
Price index: A price index is a quantity which demonstrates the changes in average price of goods and services during a certain period.
Statistical frame: A statistical frame is a list of general characteristics of the individuals/units of the population under study, particularly used in sample surveys.
Statistical services: Statistical services refer to all or part of services provided for preparation and implementation of statistical surveys as well as data processing and dissemination.
 
Article 2. Statistical Centre of Iran, hereafter called the SCI, is affiliated to the Plan and Budget Organization[1], hereafter called the PBO, and is headed by a Deputy Head of the PBO.   
B.   The SCI’s duties and responsibilities
Article 3. The SCI is responsible for:

• Taking national censuses and sample surveys on   social and economic issues,
• Providing required statistics to meet data needed for planning and development programs,
• Developing and maintenance of statistical frames,
• Processing, analysis and dissemination of survey results,
• Providing national accounts and price indices,
• Providing statistical concepts, definitions, standards and classifications,
• Collecting data needed for public and private sectors,
• Compilation and dissemination of the national statistical yearbook,
• Aggregation of statistical documents and information,
• Providing technical assistants to statistical units located in the ministries and government/government-affiliated departments and companies as well as institutions in private sector,
• Providing statistical services to public and private sectors against charging them with the costs.

Note. The incomes from statistics services are considered incomes of the SCI which are saved in a certain account in the Treasury and spent in accordance with the budget plan approved by the PBO’s head.
Article4. National censuses are launched following the government’s decree and conducted as decided by the Council of Ministers.
The national census of population[2] has to be taken every 10 years[3]. The first population census after the ratification of the present law will be in 1355 (A.D. 1976).
Article5. All ministries and government/ government-affiliated departments and companies will provide the SCI with workforce, vehicles, telecommunication instruments and other instruments required for census taking for a certain period of time and as the Council of Ministers prescribes.
Article 6. In the census events in which the SCI enjoys cooperation of working and/or retired government employees, it is entitled to pay them a census bonus, in addition to their regular payment. The amount of bonus is suggested by the PBO’s head which should obtain the approval of the Council of Ministers.
Article 7. All Iranians inside the country or abroad are bound to respond correctly to the questions of every survey conducted by the SCI. The data collected from individuals/institutions during surveys are considered confidential and may only be used for production of general statistical information.
It is absolutely forbidden to use, demand or refer to data collected from individuals/institutions before judicial, administrative or tax authorities.
Article8. All ministers and government/ government-affiliated departments and companies are bound to base the surveys they conduct on concepts, definitions, standards, methods and classifications prepared by the SCI.
Article 9. All ministers and government/government-affiliated departments and companies are bound to provide the SCI with required statistical data by implementation of current surveys.
C. The High Council of Statistics and its duties and responsibilities
Article 10. The High Council of Statistics, hereafter called the Council, is headed by the head of the PBOand its members are:
Deputies of the following ministries introduced by the concerned ministers:

• Ministry of Economic and Financial Affairs,
• Ministry of the  Interior,
• Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
• Ministry of Cooperatives and Villages Affairs,
• Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs,
• Ministry of Industries and Mines,
• Ministry of Commerce,
• Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, and,
• Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Iran,
• Deputy Secretary-General, Administrative and Recruitment Affairs Organization,
• Head, Statistical Centre of Iran.

Article 11. Terms of reference of the Council

• Developing macro statistical policies and assigning the statistical activities to the related organizations,
• Deciding on statistical priorities,
• Developing comprehensive policies on coordination between ministries and public institutions in making use of computers,
• Making comments on the process of procuring credit for conduction of the ministries’ and public companies’ statistical surveys and activities which are financed from national development credits,
• Making comments on statistical statutes and bills prepared,
• Making decisions about problems facing government agencies on implementation of statistical surveys.

 Article 12. The Council will hold sessions at least every 3 months and may have extra sessions. The least number of members for holding sessions is 8 and the council’s decisions are approved when 7 members concur.
Article13. The PBO’s responsibility for coordination of information affairs is shifted to the Council.
Article 14.  Observance of the Council’s approvals, which are based on the terms of reference cleared here, are mandatory for all ministries and government departments.
Article 15. The executive regulations and terms of reference of the Council’s secretariat are prepared by the PBO and approved by the Council.
Article 16. The SCI’s Establishment Law, passed in 1965, and the parts of other laws and regulations which are in conflict with the present law are hereafter null and void.
 The above law including 16 articles and 1 note was approved by the Senate on 24/12/1974 and by the National Consultative Assembly on 30/1/1975.
 
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[1] The Organization was renamed " Management and Planning Organization" and then was restructured  as Vice Presidency for Strategic Planning and Supervision
[2] Housing is also enumerated in this Census and is known as Population and Housing Census
[3] According to the recent decession taken, the Census is taken every 5 years.