The objective of the Framework Agreement is to enhance the quality and efficiency of the C3S Evaluation and Quality Control (EQC) function through the delivery of an efficient and timely quality assurance of C3S climate datasets. The final goal is to facilitate users in the dataset selection and the self-assessment fitness-for-purpose of the selected datasets. The contract will continue the EQC effort addressed in previous EQC contracts during Copernicus 1, evolve the existing EQC concepts and infrastructure already put in place, and further consolidate, harmonise and streamline the entire framework, including its methodologies, procedures and outputs.