European Association of Remote Sensing Companies

EARSC, the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies, is a membership-based, not for profit organisation which coordinates and promotes the activities of European companies engaged in delivering Earth observation-derived geo-information services. EARSC represents this sector in its broadest sense, creating a network between industry, decision makers and users and covering the full EO value chain from data acquisition through processing, fusion, analysis to final geo-information products & services.

EARSC currently has over 140 members, mainly SMES, and the network contains all the leading European suppliers of EO data and value-added products as well as many small and micro-enterprises. Formed in 1989, EARSC provides its members with information on current and prospective European programmes, legislative actions as well as news on the market for EO services and offers help for companies wishing to become ISO certified.

One of the objectives of EARSC is to support the European EO Services industry by opening up new market opportunities. In other words, to help develop the market for commercial EO-based products and services. This includes new commercial market sectors and new export possibilities linked to national needs in countries outside Europe. EARSC’s strategy to improve export prospects for companies hinges around partnerships. The EO services sector has business applications in many domains, and we seek partners which can help expand our reach (for example the Energy, Agro-Insurance, Raw materials, Maritime and Finances).

We undertake studies into the market maintaining facts about the industry (industry survey 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022) and the impact of EO geo-information services. EARSC conducted a study into the benefits of making Copernicus Sentinel data available on a free and open basis; "GMES and Data: Geese and Golden Eggs” and published a number of reports e.g. SEntinel Benefits Study  on the economic value of EO to European society; each of these follows an innovative, value-chain approach and provides new perspectives both on the high value being created through the use of EO, as well as new and important insights into the value-chains being constructed.

EARSC developed a Policy Observatory to ensure EO capabilities and benefits are understood by policymakers and are included in upcoming policies. To achieve this objective, EARSC created several working groups, e.g., the “Green Deal” and the “Civil Security and Defence”, where companies can share concerns and recommendations. The outcomes of the working groups are responses to EC consultations, technical feasibility assessments, proposals of amendments, and position papers, publicly available on the EARSC website.