As the technical governing body for national statistics and coordinator of the National Statistical System (Sistema de Estadística Nacional, SEN), the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) is responsible for establishing the standards and procedures to streamline and coordinate the statistical activities of the SEN. These are approved and issued by INEC's Directing Council, its highest authority.

The statistical standards are based on Law No. 9694 and internationally recognized principles of good statistical practice, aimed at improving the processes, subprocesses, and activities carried out to generate statistics. 

In addition to the set of statistical standards, classifications, nomenclatures, terms, and definitions from operational documents, such as practical guides, are made available to the entities that comprise the SEN.