The first European satellite programme dedicated to meteorological observation of the Earth is the Meteosat Operational Programme, exploited since 1 January 1987 by the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). This programme is fully funded by the national meteorological services of EUMETSAT's member states. It is not a commercial programme, but serves the needs of the national meteorological services in particular for the provision, of weather forecasts. Apart from the meteorological services a large variety of other users, some with commercial objectives, are now showing a growing interest in the use of satellite data. The EUMETSAT Council has recently adopted principles of distribution and charging for satellite products, thereby developing a mechanism for the provision of access to data upon payment of fees.