Editorial amendments refer to wording errors, apparent contradictions or translation errors in the non-English versions. Their main characteristic is that their correction will affect neither concepts nor the structure of the system and the tables therein. ISWGNA will discuss and decide on the final version, which will be published as an errata sheet.

This type of amendment would arise when a new economic situation has emerged, or a situation that was negligible when the 1993 SNA was designed has since grown considerably in importance. ISWGNA will provide explanations, as needed, in order to arrive at unambiguous interpretations of existing SNA rules. It is important in that context to establish clearly that there is no conceptual issue concealed within the clarification.

Where new economic situations have emerged and their treatment in national accounts is not clear, various solutions on how to treat the phenomenon in question in national accounting may be put forward, indicating that there seems to be room for different interpretations of SNA 1993 rules. As a result of the interpretation process a preferred solution is put forward for the treatment of the issue.

Due to changes in the macroeconomic environment, some of the basic concepts in the 1993 SNA may become irrelevant and may even result in figures that might mislead users. In that case, relevant parts of the SNA text must be substantially revised to reflect those changes.