The functions of the Institute were redefined in Article 1 of Decree 357 as follows:

a) to compile, evaluate and publish statistical data concerning the economic, social, cultural and demographic structure of the country,

b) to collect and evaluate, on a priority basis, the data required in the preparation, implementation and follow-up stages of development plans and annual programmes,

c) to hold national and international seminars, conferences and meetings with the purpose of observing scientific research and techniques and of informing the public of the activities of the Institute; to establish a data bank on the statistical base of economic, social and cultural subjects of Turkey and maintain it by making the necessary improvements on the techniques of data collection, processing and dissemination,

d) to conduct a general population census in years ending with (0), a general census of industry and establishments in years ending with (3), and a general agricultural census in years ending with (1); and, in addition, to plan and implement general censuses needed in other fields and design and administer the surveys required, finalise and publish all these censuses and surveys in the shortest time possible,

e) to establish statistical definitions and standards, to improve statistical methods and to conduct statistical analyses and studies,

f) to establish national and international training and research centres in collaboration with universities and other training institutions; to conduct short-term statistical courses and long-term specialised training programmes for its own and other institutions' personnel; to arrange seminars and conferences. Foreigners are eligible to attend any of these courses and training programmes,

g) to conduct public opinion polls and to assist other institutions in similar activities,

h) to assist government agencies and institutions, local governments, municipalities and other individuals in their statistical work, and to provide coordination in this respect,

i) to determine the principles to be observed by public and private agencies, in relation to the compilation and organisation of statistical data; to decide, in cooperation with the concerned agencies and organisations, what public agencies will collect statistical data and in which areas,

j) to compile addresses, aerial photographs, maps, sketches and similar documents needed in statistical work; to set up registers, to record systems and to organise numbering activities; and to cooperate with the related government agencies in this respect.

To administer the above-mentioned functions, the Institute is composed of a headquarters and regional offices. The headquarters comprises the principal service units, the advisory units and the supporting units (Article 3). Presently, there are 23 regional offices spread across the country.

According to Article 4 of Decree No. 219, the President of the Institute is the top administrator of the State Institute of Statistics. He is in charge of running the services of this office in compliance with the related legislation.

It is stated in the Article 5 of the Decree that three vice-presidents may be assigned to assist the President in coordinating the activities of the principal services and the advisory and supporting units. The duties of principle service units and administrative structure of the Central Office of SIS are enclosed in the Annex.

The Supreme Statistical Council is mentioned in Article 18. According to this Article, the Supreme Statistical Council convenes at least once every two years upon the call of the President of the State Institute of Statistics. The function of the Statistical Council is to make advisory decisions so that the State Institute of Statistics may meet, in the best way, the needs for statistical data in the economic, social and cultural fields. The members of the Statistical Council are the authorised senior representatives of the State Planning Organization, public agencies and institutions, state economic enterprises, universities, the Union of Chambers of Commerce, Chambers of Industry and Commercial Exchanges of Turkey, trade unions, associations, and private agencies and institutions.

Article 18/A of Decree 357 permits the establishment of advisory committees and research groups to utilise the expertise of university and private sector experts.

The authority for collecting statistical data in Turkey lies with the State Institute of Statistics. Government agencies included in the general budget may collect statistical data to meet their needs only. It is subject to the permission of the State Institute of Statistics for these agencies to collect statistical information from outside their organisations to meet their own needs.

The authority of the Institute to release statistical information is set out in article 25 of Decree 357. According to this article, the SIS is authorised to provide information to competent authorities, or to release to the public, that statistical information collected with respect to important matters revealing the economic, social and cultural conditions of the country, after having examined such information. The same procedure applies to similar releases of information by the concerned agencies.

According to Article 26 of Decree 219, the SIS is authorised to request the information it deems necessary directly from all government agencies, institutions and individuals.

All government agencies, institutions and individuals that are requested to provide information must furnish this information accurately and in the format and time period determined by the SIS.

The SIS is authorised to investigate the accuracy of the information furnished, and to request additional information and documents from those concerned.

According to Decree 219, the Institute may utilise the services of data processing centres or the data entry systems of government agencies and institutions in years when general censuses or surveys of wide scope are implemented.

The Institute may establish contacts and cooperate with other countries and international organisations in order to obtain and improve statistical information by using the most progressive methods and by exchanging related publications.

Article 29 of Decree 219 treats intercensal surveys, Article 30 covers censuses other than the general censuses, and Article 31 takes up census committees.

Article 32, which covers matters relating to general population censuses and other general censuses and surveys, includes, in addition, the imposition of a curfew. According to this article, a curfew is imposed during general population censuses on the census day. Citizens assigned census taking and supervising duties by the Census Committees during general population censuses are required to undertake these duties.

Decree 357 gives the SIS the authority to employ personnel on a contract bases, giving the Institute the ability to hire more qualified people. An additional provision allows the SIS to have the authority to establish a revolving fund for marketing statistical services and products.

Some of the articles of Law No.53 are still in force. Article 27 sets forth data confidentiality. According to this article, personal data collected for statistical purposes are completely confidential. Those employees who disclose personal information collected by the SIS are subject to penalty. Statistical information can not be used for taxation or investigative purposes.

Articles 28-31 are penal clauses relating to confidentiality and the duties and responsibilities of officials and respondents.

It is observed that the traditionally accepted centralised system approach has been protected by Decree No. 357 in order to assure data collection discipline and standard practices in the statistical activities of the country.