The main topics covered in the survey are as follows:

-frequency of innovation by innovation type (products, processes, organisational, marketing): number of enterprises that have introduced such innovations during the period 2008 to 2010;

-degree of innovation: turnover share (2010) from product or service innovations introduced between 2008 and 2010 : products or services that are new to the market, products or services that are new to the enterprise only;

-expenditure associated with product and process innovation activities according to a simple nomenclature: expenditure on research and development

- R&D (internal/external), innovation-related equipment expenditure (excl. R&D); acquisition of external knowledge-related expenditure.

-other aspects of the innovation process concerning product and process innovations (qualitative questions only): public funding, sources of information and forms of cooperation to develop innovations, objectives of achieved innovations;

-frequency and objectives of marketing and organisational innovations;

-factors hampering product or process innovation activities ;

-creativity and skills obtained from internal or external sources (software development, Web design etc.)

This survey is harmonised at European level in accordance with regulations covering innovation statistics; it covers the following activities (divisions in NAF rev. 2):
-Mining and quarrying (divisions 05 to 09);
-Manufacturing (divisions 10 to 33);
-Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (division 35);
-Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation (divisions 36 to 39);
-Construction (divisions 41 to 43);
-Wholesale trade, excluding cars and motorcycles (division 46);
-Transportation and storage (divisions 49 to 53);
-Publishing (division 58);
-Motion picture, video and television programme production; sound recording and music publishing / programming and broadcasting activities (divisions 59 and 60);
-Telecommunications (division 61);
-Computer programming, consultancy and related activities (division 62);
-Information services activities (division 63);
-Financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding (division 64 to 66);
-Real estate activities (division 68);
-Legal and accounting activities (division 69);
-Activities of head offices; management consultancy activities (division 70);
-Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis (division 71);
-Scientific research and development (division 72);
-Advertising and market research (division 73);
-Other specialised scientific and technical activities (division 74);
-Rental and leasing activities (division 77);
-Employment activities (division 78);
-Travel agency, tour operator and other reservation service and related activities (division 79);
-Security and investigation activities (division 80);
-Services to buildings and landscape activities (division 81).

Some activites that were included for the last edition CIS were excluded from the field for this edition: “Accomodation and food service activities” (divisions 55 and 56 of the NAF), “Wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles” (division 45) and “Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles” (division 47).