Federal Government Regulates Copernicus Environmental Data
Consultation Planned – Implications for Research and Economy
The Federal Government intends to legally regulate the use of environmental information from the European Earth observation program Copernicus. A consultation is planned. This emerges from a statement by the Federal Administration. The planned regulation aims to ensure legal certainty. It affects authorities, research institutions, and companies alike. With the new rules, the Federal Government wants to standardize data usage and establish clear responsibilities. It also aims to facilitate access to the information. The draft legislation may also impact cantonal projects that use satellite data for their planning.
Copernicus is the European Union's Earth observation program. It includes a fleet of satellites, the so-called Sentinel missions. They provide data on land areas, oceans, atmosphere, and climate. Switzerland regularly uses this data offering. The Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) uses the information, for example, for air quality monitoring, water body observation, or snow cover mapping. Thus, the satellite data flows into national environmental reports. Cantonal authorities also use the data for their tasks, such as natural hazard management. The application possibilities are broad: from forest inventories to mapping flood risks and supporting agriculture.
Until now, Switzerland has lacked a specific legal basis for using this data. This causes uncertainties. For example, it is not conclusively regulated whether and how data may be passed on to third parties. Commercial exploitation also raises legal questions. Existing regulations are spread across various laws and are not tailored to satellite data. The regulation aims to close this gap. Furthermore, international agreements will be considered, as Copernicus is a European Union program. The draft legislation is also expected to clarify the relationship with other Swiss laws, such as geoinformation law.
Planned Regulation
The preliminary draft for the regulation addresses responsibilities for using Copernicus data. Uniform terms of use are also to be established. The consultation will allow affected parties to evaluate the preliminary draft. The timeline for this is still open. The Federal Council aims to create a solution that meets international standards and user needs. Clarifying cooperation with European partner organizations is also a goal. The draft legislation could also define which entities will archive and process the data long-term. This includes the question of necessary technical infrastructures and personnel resources.
Significance for Research
Copernicus data is essential for research in Switzerland. The Water Research Institute WSL uses satellite information for vegetation monitoring and drought period analysis. Universities also use the data in climate research, for example, for modeling extreme events. A clear legal basis facilitates access to the data and its use in scientific work. It also improves the planning of research projects. Cooperation with European research programs could benefit from the regulation. Scientists also expect faster re-use of data sets. This applies particularly to interdisciplinary projects that combine various data sources.
Opportunities for the Economy
Satellite data is also important for the Swiss economy. Agricultural businesses use it for yield forecasting and irrigation planning. Insurance companies use the information for damage analysis after natural events. Logistics companies optimize their routes and supply chains with the data. The planned regulation creates planning security for such applications. It could also open up new business areas in the field of geodata. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO monitors the development and will participate in the consultation. Start-ups in environmental technology could also benefit from the clear rules. Uniform conditions facilitate the development of applications based on satellite data.
The consultation will show how the regulation will be specifically shaped. The Federal Council aims to create a legal basis that benefits research and the economy. Until the procedure is concluded, existing regulations remain authoritative. Further steps depend on the feedback from the consultation. After its evaluation, the message will be submitted to Parliament. Experts expect the new provisions could come into force within two years. Switzerland would thus provide long-term support for its data policy in Earth observation.
