Welcome to Statistics Sweden’s respondent page for Business inventories. Here you can find information about the survey and submit your information electronically.

Business inventories is a survey carried out by Statistics Sweden every quarter. It is a sample survey that collects information on business inventories. The sample consists of about 3 400 enterprises. Statistics Sweden has been tasked by the Riksdag and the Government to provide a more comprehensive picture of the Swedish economy; the results of the survey contribute to this picture.

The survey applies to enterprises in industry, and trade in goods and services. The sample in the survey includes only as many enterprises as are needed to produce good quality statistics.

To be able to produce reliable statistics, it is very important that Statistics Sweden receive details in time from all the selected enterprises. An enterprise that is included in the survey cannot be replaced by another enterprise.

These statistics are an important data source in national accounts and are used by Statistics Sweden to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This information also helps to shed light on the current economic situation. Users of the statistics include the National Institute of Economic Research, the Ministry of Finance, the Riksbank and trade organisations.

After the end of each quarter, Statistics Sweden sends a letter with login details for the relevant form. The last response date is indicated in the letter with login details, in the online form and under the heading Schedule.

All enterprises submit information on the inventories that they own. This also applies to goods that the enterprise owns and stores outside Sweden’s borders, in central warehouses or with another enterprise/retailer. The information is collected by type of inventory, according to the base account plan BAS 2021:

• 141x and 142x Raw materials and consumables
• 144x Products in progress
• 145x Finished goods
• 146x Goods for resale
  Of which used goods for resale
  (SNI 45*)
• 147x Work in progress
• 148x Advance payments for goods and services
• 149x Other inventory items

* Information on the amount of used trade goods (in SEK) is only collected from enterprises in wholesale and retail trade, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (SNI 2007).

A more detailed description of requested information (pdf)

Last date for submitting the form:

Quarter 1 and 2: 15 July 2021

Quarter 3: 15 October 2021

Quarter 4: 25 January 2022

Who is included in the survey?

The survey applies to enterprises in industry, and trade in goods and services. The sample in the survey includes only as many enterprises as are needed to produce good quality statistics. The sample for the survey is selected randomly and parts of the sample are renewed every year. An enterprise usually takes part in the survey for several years. How long an enterprise will take part mainly depends on the industry and size of the enterprise. The largest enterprises in an industry are always included.

To be able to produce reliable statistics, it is very important that Statistics Sweden receive details in time from all the selected enterprises. An enterprise that is included in the survey cannot be replaced by another enterprise.

Is the survey mandatory?

Yes, this survey forms parts of Official Statistics of Sweden, which means that it is mandatory to provide information pursuant to the Official Statistics Act (2001:99) and Statistics Sweden’s regulations (SCB-FS 2021:16).

Which reporting period should we use?

Inventory information refers to the value of the enterprise’s inventories on the last day of the quarter. You may also submit information for an earlier quarter or revise previously submitted information.

Is it acceptable to estimate the values?

The value of inventory may be estimated if the inventory is not inventoried on a quarterly basis or if the requested information is not available in the enterprise’s accounting system and cannot be calculated relatively easily.

Feel free to use standardised values for sales values that have not yet been determined.

Can we get an extension of time to submit the information?

In some cases, Statistics Sweden can give a limited time extension. Please contact us if you are not able to submit information on time.

For which parts of the enterprise should I submit information?

The form explains for which parts of the enterprise information is to be submitted. Often, information is requested for the entire enterprise, but enterprises with activities in different industries have been broken down into several activity units, and the form then refers to one activity unit. This is to ensure that the statistical reporting at the industry level will be reliable where the classification of industries is based on the Swedish Industrial Classification SNI 2007 (corresponding to NACE 2007). You can always find information in the form about which activity area of the enterprise the information refers to.

How can we amend/correct already submitted information?

Log in and select the quarter you wish to amend and submit the amended/corrected information.

What should I do if the enterprise’s operations have changed?

Notify us of any changes in the enterprise’s operations, such as a transfer of operations, whether workplaces have been sold or taken over, bankruptcies or changes in industry affiliation. Notify us of this directly in the form, by e-mail or by telephone.

Can I be reimbursed for submitting information about my enterprise?

No. Submitting information is a legal obligation for enterprises and organisations, which is why there is no remuneration. Neither Statistics Sweden nor any other government agency has been granted funds for remuneration to enterprises for submitting information to the official statistics.

The results will be published under the subject area Business activities.

The results of Business inventories are published regularly about 45 days after the end of the quarter. See the link for information on the next publishing date.

This survey is subject to a duty to provide information in accordance with the Official Statistics Act (2001:99). The statistics are also regulated by the Official Statistics Ordinance (2001:100) and Statistics Sweden’s regulations (SCB-FS 2021:16). This means that enterprises who do not provide information run the risk of an order of penalty payment. Consultation has taken place with the Board of Swedish Industry and Commerce for Better Regulation (NNR) and the Swedish Better Regulation Council.

Information submitted to Statistics Sweden is protected by confidentiality pursuant to Chapter 24, Section 8 of the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (2009:400). The survey results are reported by industry, so it will not be possible to identify information specific to your enterprise.