EU enhances commercial access to Earth observation data
18 Jun 2014 12:31 PM
Businesses and research
institutions will soon have more reliable access to commercial earth
observation satellite data, according to a proposal presented by the European
Commission in Brussels. It aims to ensure better access to high
resolution earth observation satellite data (HRSD) in
particular, which,together with HRSD-based applications, are an essential
tool for environment monitoring, urban planning, agriculture, natural resources
management and disaster and emergency management, as well as for security and
defence. Today regulations governing commercial activities using HRSD differ
between EU Member States. This situation creates obstacles to market
development as it hampers access to data vital by related businesses: including
data resellers, data processors, value-adding service providers and software
developers. The proposal aims to improve business conditions for such companies
in Europe and to partially harmonise rules defining HRSD and related
transparency and standards in the EU.
European Commission
Vice-President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship,
commented that: “The use of satellite imagery is an
important and fast growing business. This Directive will facilitate commercial
Earth observation and access to satellite data within the EU, accelerating the
development of this innovative sector and the creation of new products and
services. Our economy will benefit from increased competition by
improving free circulation of satellite data throughout the
EU."
More information available
at:
Directive on the dissemination Earth
observation satellite for commercial purposes and Annex
Article: Space industrial
policy
Citizens' Summary
The objective of
the Directive on the dissemination of Earth observation satellite for
commercial purposes is to facilitate the dissemination of satellite data
in Europe and to establish a more reliable access to HRSD, while fully
safeguarding security interests. The Directive will achieve these goals by
introducing:
-
a common definition of HRSD,
specifying which satellite data is considered high resolution and needs
regulation and which data is already
“business-ready”;
-
common standards for
transparency, predictability, legal certainty and fair
treatment;
-
common standards for efficiency
and business-friendly implementation, in particular regarding the procedures
used by Member States to regulate the dissemination of HRSD.
Next steps
This proposal will now be
examined by the EU Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. If
successful, Member States would then have to adapt their national law,
regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this
Directive by end of 2017.
Background
Satellite imagery enables the
repeated observation of any region on Earth, at different scales, and without
breaching any territory sovereignty. The newest generation of Earth observation
satellites offer very high resolution imagery (i.e. objects of less than 0.5 m
are visible), daily monitoring and very quick access to the
imagery.
Currently, the production and
dissemination of HRSD by commercial operators is regulated by the countries in
which they are registered. As HRSD regulations differ per country and lack of
transparency and predictability, the HRSD value chain and customer businesses
encounter difficulties.
The Directive covers the
commercial side of EU space policy in Earth observation. It complements theCopernicus programme, which is the EU's Earth
observation programme. Copernicus will ensure the regular observation and
monitoring of Earth sub-systems, the atmosphere, oceans, and continental
surfaces, and that will provide reliable, validated and guaranteed information
in support of a broad range of environmental and security applications and
decisions.