17/11/2005 (Agence Europe) - Starting January 2006, the harmonised indices of consumer prices (HICP) used by Eurostat to calculate statistics will change. The reference period will change from 1996 = 100 to 2005 = 100. The new common reference period will make the HICP more transparent and relevant. Adjustments will be made to minimise the effect of this on historic data.