The Argo Program has been supported by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to provide a high quality, global data set for tracking variations on seasonal to inter-annual time and 1000 km space scales while respecting its member state’s territorial rights.  A series of documents describing this relationship can be found below.

• IOC Assembly Resolution XX-6 set up a process to notify coastal states to protect their rights when Argo floats drift into their territorial waters.
• IOC Resolution EC-XLI.4 is a set of guidelines for the implementation of Resolution XX-6.
• IOC Resolution EC-LI agreed to extend the original IOC XX-6 resolution to the six variables measured on BGC Argo floats and set up a process for adding new variables in the future.
• WMO policy and practice for the exchange of meteorological and related data and products including guidelines on relationships in commercial meteorological activities, Resolution 40 (Cg-XII)