General:

Q: What changes are scheduled for 01 July 2024?

There are a number of changes:

  • EPU and Maximum Charge Price Changes
  • Introducing Service Charge Model - Version 2: Volume Bands restructure/re-costing and Service Package updates (amended features/new features)
  • Open data changes from March 2024 and AIFS data released in the Product Requirements Catalogue (PRC)
  • Changes to the ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement

Pricing Changes:

Q: What are the upcoming changes in Pricing Changes on 01 July 2024?

There is a reduction in Information Cost for EPU unit cost (from 01 July 2024). The EPU Unit cost will decrease  from €0.25 to €0.15 which will affect the Information Cost component of new Real-time Licence Agreements. Additionally, ECMWF will reduce the Maximum Charge fee for new licence agreements without High Frequency Products from 70,000 EUR  to 47,500 EUR. The fee for including High frequency products remains unchanged at 8,000 EUR. Meaning the Maximum Charge licence including High Frequency Products is 55,500 EUR.

Service Charge Model - Version 2:

Q: Where can I find information about Service Charge Model - Version 2 (July 2024 onwards) and the updated Volume Band Charges and the description of the reformed Service Packages?

You can find information on this page.  If your licence pre-dates July 2024, for information on the past version of the Service Charge Model (Version 1, July 2022-July 2024) please see here: Service Charge Model - Version 1 and the related FAQ

Q: What has changed from Service Charge Model - Version 1 (July 2022-July 2024)?

The Service Charge Model - Version 2 (July 2024 onwards) has changes to both the Volume Band and Service Packages. Volume Bands have been restructured and re-costed and the services/features associated with the Service Packages have be amended/enhanced as well as new features added.

Q: How do I know now which Volume Band my licence will be? Will my Volume Band change even if I am not changing my data? 

This will only affect you on renewal or if you are getting a new licence.

Volume Bands have changed since the last Service Charge Model - Version 1 (July 2022-July 2024). So even if you are not changing your requirements, the Volume Band may have changed (see table). The easiest way to know which Volume Band you would be in from July 2024 onwards, is to create a new quote. Please visit the Product Requirements Catalogue (PRC) to create a new quote. The easiest way to do this is by duplicating a past order.

To do this:

  • Go to your 'Orders' tab of the PRC.
  • Select 'Duplicate' on the order which was used for your last licence.
  • Once the order is created, use the 'Select costing version' option available on the order web interface.
  • Choose between 'July 2023' or 'July 2024' costing versions.
  • The costing version selected will display the correct Volume Band and updated Information Cost.

Please note that the version that is selected when submitting your quote, will be the costing version submitted to the Licensor.

 Q: I have a real-time licence. I am not sure if I should change my licence to the Service Charge Model -Version 2 (July 2024 onwards), how can I tell if this is a good option? 

The easiest way to estimate cost of a new contract from July 2024 onwards, is to create a new quote. The Product Requirements Catalogue (PRC) has been updated so it can perform dual costing (Version 1, July 2022-July 2024) and (Version 2, July 2024 onwards). Please create a new quote (either by copying an old quote or adding data to an empty order) and use the 'Select costing version' which is available on the order web interface once created, the options are 'July 2023' or 'July 2024'. The costing version selected will be marked as 'current' (as per previous question) and will display the price for each costing version.

Please note that the version that is selected when submitting your quote, will be the costing version submitted to the Licensor.

Q: What are the combinations of Volume Band/Service Pack are allowed?

The Volume Band and Service Package combinations have changed:

  • Volume Band 1 can now only be combined with the Basic Package (Bronze Package is no longer available for this Band).
  • Volume Band 5 is no longer available with the Basic Package.
  • Volume Band 6 is no longer available with the Basic and Bronze Service Packages.

 Please refer to the Volume Band and Service Pack table to understand the correct options for your Volume Band.

Q: I am currently receiving Volume Band 6 with the Basic Service Package. What does this mean for my new contract after 01 July 2024, since this option will no longer be available?

Nothing will change for you during your active contract, however at the time of renewal you will be asked to move to another Service Package which is available for your Volume Band and suitable for your needs as a business. 

Q: My licence is due to expire before the 01 July 2024, do I have to sign a new licence agreement for a further year? I would like to take advantage of the new pricing as soon as possible.

This year, if your licence expires between 01 April 2024 and 29 June 2024, you can extend your active licence (on the current pro-rata cost) until 30 June 2024. From 01 July 2024 a new licence, with the updated pricing and Service Charge Model - Version 2 will be issued to you for a further year. Extensions of existing contracts are only available to users who fall within the dates stated above and who will be signing a further licence after 01 July 2024. An amendment to your current licence is needed and will be processed by your Licensor. This will need to be signed like all other licence agreements.

Please contact Data Support via the ECMWF Support Portal or your Licensor if this is the case. 

 Q: I already have an active licence but I wish to avail of the 01 July 2024 changes, what do I do?

You can terminate your current licence effective 30th June 2024 and be issued a new licence from 01 July 2024, with the three-month termination notice waived. The new licence, with the updated pricing and Service Charge Model - Version 2  will be issued to you for a further year. Please note that this new licence will need to be signed like all other licence agreements.

Please contact Data Support via the ECMWF Support Portal  or your Licensor if this is the case. They will direct you to fill out the Declaration of Intent of Termination Form which will aid ECMWF in processing the upcoming changes. You can also fill the form out directly and the results will be sent to your Licensor.


Q: From 01 July 2024, I no longer need my licence, what do I do?

The standard termination rules apply as per your real-time license agreement. You can terminate your current license with a three-month notice.

Please contact Data Support via the ECMWF Support Portal  or your Licensor if this is the case. They will direct you to fill out the Declaration of Intent of Termination Form which will aid ECMWF in processing the upcoming changes. You can also fill the form out directly and the results will be sent to your Licensor.


Q: I have an active contract which is not expiring till later this year. Can't I just just move to the new pricing/Service Model without signing a new contract?

You cannot combine Service Charge Models versions and avail of the lower EPU rates on a contract issued prior to 01 July 2024.  A new contract for the new pricing/Service Charge Model - Version 2 (July 2024 onwards) will need to be issued which will be of a one-year duration. Please follow the advice from the FAQ titled 'I already have an active licence but I wish to avail of the July 2024 changes, what do I do?'. If you do not wish to have a new licence, then your contract will remain unchanged until it expires.

Q: I will remain a Basic Service User for my next contract. What new features or changes have been made to this service pack? 

  • ECPDS file retention time (2 days)
  • Number of operational feeds limit (5)

For full listing of features please see Service Pack table.

 Q: I will remain a Bronze Service User for my next contract. What new features or changes have been made to this service pack? 

  • Introduction of push cycle upgrade data
  • CCSDS Packing Optional
  • ECPDS file retention time (3 days)
  • Number of operational feeds limit (15)


For full listing of features please see Service Pack table.

Q: I will remain a Silver Service User for my next contract. What new features or changes have been made to this service pack? 

There have been a number of amendments/new features for Silver including the introduction of Gold features of:

  • Directory Targeting
  • Pre-Schedule Delivery 
  • ecCharts Access

For full comprehensive listing of all features now available (amended/new features listed in yellow) please see Service Pack table.

Q: I will remain a Gold Service User for my next contract. What new features or changes have been made to this service pack? 

For full comprehensive listing of all features now available (amended/new features listed in yellow) please see Service Pack table.

Q. Currently I am a Gold Service Package User, all the features I wish to have in my Service Package from 01 July 2024 are now available in the Silver Service Package, what do I do?

The features of the Service Charge Model -Version 2 (July 2024 onwards) are not available to those with licences issued prior to 01 July 2024. If you have an active licence which is not due to expire, then you will need to terminate your active contract and uptake a new licence agreement from 01 July 2024. Please see FAQ 'I already have an active licence but I wish to avail of the July 2024 changes, what do I do?'. If you already signing a new licence with your licensor from 01 July 2024, then please inform your Licensor of this change in Service Package. 

Open Data and changes to Real-Time Catalogue:

Q: What has changed with the Open Data and the Real-time Catalogue?

Following the release of the revised open data in March 2024, all ECMWF data coarser than or equal to 0.4 degrees will be available under an open data licence (CC-BY-4), and the Information Cost has been removed for the products with these resolutions. This will have an impact on the Information Cost of some licences. This change will automatically applied to all new and renewing contracts. For Users who currently have active contracts and wish to avail of this update, they can terminate their current licence on the 30th June 2024 and be issued a new licence for 01 July 202. The new licence, with the pricing and updated Service Charge Model -Version 2 will be issued to you for a further year with the three-month termination notice waived. Please note that this new licence will need to be signed as per other licence agreements.

Q: Now with Open data, the Information Cost portion of my licence is now €0, what are the benefits in keeping a real-time licence?

Open data is freely available via Open Data Portal, however this data needs to be retrieved via the website and is not pushed via ECPDS (Dissemination) to a Users host. This data is also available 1-hour after the last data file is sent via Dissemination. This means the data via the Open Data Portal is not as timely for Open data users in comparison to a  user accessing data via a licence agreement.

Q: All the data I use is now free and I have have decided I no longer need my real-time licence. What do I do?

The standard termination rules apply as per your license agreement. You can terminate your current license with a three-month notice.

Please contact Data Support via the ECMWF Support Portal or your Licensor if this is the case. They will direct you to fill out the 'Declaration of Intent' Form which will aid ECMWF in processing the upcoming changes.

Q: I am interested in adding AIFS data to my Real-time Contract? How can I add this to my contract?

Any Standard Commercial Licence holder on Service Model -Version 1 ( July 2022-July 2024) and Service Model - Version 2 (July 2024 onwards) can add AIFS data to their contract with an amendment. The Product Requirements Catalogue (PRC) has been updated with these products. Maximum Cost Users can add these products via PREd and are only subject to an amendment if the Volume Band changes.

Changes to the ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement: 

Q: What are the substantive changes to the ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement? 

From 01 July 2024 (subject to Council Approval) the following items have been introduced: 

  • Clarification of the Value Added Services concept
    • Revised Article 3.1 to prevent de facto redistribution of ECMWF Products via Value Added Services
    • Revised Article 4.3 to ensure that even if original Products are accessible from a Value Added Service, they may not be used for any other purposes
    • New Article 5.7 to give ECMWF and Licensors the right to review Value Added Services to ensure compliance with the licence and rules
    • New Article 5.9 to prevent Licensees from using ECMWF name or labelling modified Products or Value Added Services as ECMWF Products.
  • Insertion of an article to ensure ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement is the only and governing agreement
  • Insertion of an article to remove obligations to remove 3rd party technical and legal compliance obligations. 


Clarification of Value Added Services 

Articles related to the Value Added Services have been amended for clarity. The clarification is to ensure that Value Added Services are not used as a de facto means to redistribute the unmodified Products. Furthermore, ECMWF has included a clause to enable Licensors (including ECMWF) to review the use of the Products by the Licensee to check compliance.


Amendment to Article 3.1:

For the avoidance of doubt, the Distribution of Retrievable Value Added Services under this Article shall not lead to essentially and/or de facto Distribution or Dissemination of Valid Products and/or their use separately from the Retrievable Value Added Services.

Amendment to Article 4.3: 

Except as otherwise expressly permitted in this agreement, the Licensee shall not and shall ensure that its Subsidiaries and/or Contractors and/or the respective End Users shall not (a) modify, reproduce, adapt or reverse engineer the Valid Products and/or the Valid Advanced Web Services or any associated data, software, documentation; (b) distribute, license, transfer, assign, sell, disclose to or otherwise forward the Valid Products and/or the Valid Advanced Web Services or any associated data, software, documentation, or other information to any third party without the prior written consent of the Licensor.

New Article 5.7:

The Licensor or ECMWF reserves the right to review the Licensee’s use of the Products and/or Advanced Web Services. Notwithstanding any other rights and remedies available to the Licensor or ECMWF under this agreement or the applicable laws, the Licensee shall immediately rectify any breach immediately upon notification by the Licensor or ECMWF to this effect and take all necessary steps to prevent its recurrence.

New Article 5.9 (a-c): 

The Licensee who is defined as a Service Provider or a Broadcaster/Publisher in Annex 1 to this agreement is subject to the following additional conditions:

a. The Licensee shall not describe, present, or otherwise represent any Value Added Services derived from or based on the Products as original Products or data of the Licensor.

b. The Licensee acknowledges that any modifications of the Products (irrespective of whether they are Valid Products or Non-Valid Products and/or Open Data Products), including but not limited to aggregation, transformation, interpolation or integration with other data sources, result in products that are distinct from the Products and must be clearly identified as such.

c. Further to the attribution requirements under Article 8, all modified modifications and/or enhancements of the Products, or Value Added Services that utilise, are derived from, or incorporate the Products in any form must be clearly labelled and marketed with a statement that differentiates them from the Products.

New Article to ensure ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement is the only and governing agreement

On occasion, there have been attempts to overwrite or supercede ECMWF conditions by way of Purchase Orders or third party terms and conditions that are requested after signature of the original agreement.  Due to the nature of ECMWF as an International Organisation, we cannot accept third party terms and conditions, particularly where these imply jurisdiction or seek to change our original conditions. 

Additionally, ECMWF is regularly requested to complete third-party internal compliance documentation which attempts to bind ECMWF to additional conditions such as retaining back-up copies, or asking for documentation prior to payment. 

For the avoidance of doubt, ECMWF has no obligation to complete this documentation to receive payment or as part of the service provision. 

Article 17 has been introduced as follows: 

Entire Agreement and Precedence

Notwithstanding any other terms or conditions that may be contained within Licensor’s purchase/sale orders, invoices, acknowledgements, or any other documents relating to the provision of Products and the Advanced Web Services under this agreement, the terms and conditions outlined in this agreement shall prevail and be the only terms applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the Licensee’s (purchase) terms and conditions, internal business standards, policies, or procedures will have no legal effect to the parties.


Q: Can I keep the current older ECMWF Standard Licence Agreement? 

No, ECMWF requires all users to move the current licence at the earliest stage.  Extensions to licences will not be granted after 01 July 2024 without written permission from ECMWF. 



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