(163) Confidential information collected by the statistical authorities of the Union and of the Member States for the purpose of drawing up official European and national statistics should be protected. European statistics should be designed, produced and disseminated in accordance with the statistical principles laid down in Article 338 (2) TFEU, while national statistics should also comply with the law of the Member State. Further details on the statistical confidentiality of European statistics are provided in Regulation (EC) No 223__UPTH_2__* of the European Parliament and of the Council.