Conditions of access to the ECMWF computing services

Users accessing or using the ECMWF computing services do so under the terms and conditions detailed on this page.

Conditions of access to the ECMWF computing services

In accessing or using ECMWF computing services users agree that they will use their access solely in accordance with Article 2(2)(e) of the ECMWF Convention:

The objectives of the Centre shall be: …

e) to make available to the Member States for their research, priority being given to the field of numerical weather forecasting, a sufficient proportion of its computing capacity, such proportion being determined by the Council;

Passwords and Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) protect the Centre's computer systems against unauthorized access.

In accessing or using ECMWF computing services users agree that they will use their access in accordance with the ECMWF Password management Policy V2.4 and to follow the below best practices:

  • TOTPs are personal access tokens and, like user identifiers, are granted to users for their sole use.

  • The underlying authentication process is based on the access to TOTP tokens; hence devices running TOTP applications must be kept securely (similar to credit cards).

  • Login passwords and the PINs of TOTP applications must be kept confidential and must not be disclosed to other persons.

All users shall:

  • employ non-trivial passwords and PINs;

  • safeguard TOTPs granted to them against physical access by other persons; 

  • change passwords or PINs whenever there is any indication that they have been compromised,

  • use their access only for the purpose for which access to the ECMWF computing services has been granted.

User accounts where there has been no login activity on the ECMWF single sign-on (SSO) for access to ECMWF web or computing services for more than 18 calendar months will be disabled.

Archive data licence

In accessing or using ECMWF Archive Products users agree to abide by the terms and conditions laid out in the archive data licence.