WMO Standards and Technical Regulations

Dimitar Ivanov – C/ROE

WMO; DRA/ROE

Content

What is a standard Role of WMO as a global regulator and standard-making

organization Current international regulatory framework established by the

WMO Technical Regulations: History Composition Amendment procedures Implementation

Rules and procedures of making regulations Enhanced organizational “Culture of Compliance”

Introduction - What is a standard?

There are many definitions of a 'standard'. Very generally, a standard might simply be defined as 'a set of rules for ensuring quality‘

ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004, definition 3.2 defines a standard as: document established by consensus and approved by a recognized

body that provides for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for activities or their results, aimed at the achievement of the optimum degree of order in a given context.

NOTE: Standards should be based on the consolidated results of science, technology and experience, and aimed at the promotion of optimum community benefits.

Introduction - What is a standard?

International standard - ISO/IEC Guide 2:2004, definition 3.1.2

standard that is adopted by an international standardizing/standards organization and made available to the public

WMO is an international standardizing organization

Introduction - WMO as a standards organization WMO Convention:

Article 2, Purpose(c) To promote standardization of meteorological and related observations and to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics;

Article 8, Functions (of WMO Congress)(d) To determine regulations prescribing the procedures of the various bodies of the Organization, in particular the General, Technical, Financial and Staff Regulations;

WMO General Regulations:Annex III, Structure and Terms of Reference of Technical CommissionsGeneral terms of reference

(d) … each technical commission shall:(2) Develop, for consideration by the Executive Council and Congress, proposed

international standards for methods, procedures, techniques and practices in meteorology and operational hydrology including, in particular, the relevant parts of the Technical Regulations, guides and manuals;

Introduction - WMO as a standards organization

Working arrangements between ISO and WMO: ISO has recognized WMO as an international

standardization body through ISO Council Resolution 43/2007

WMO is listed on the web as a standard-making organization, e.g.:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_technical_standard_organisations

Introduction - other standards or regulatory organization

UN: ICAO regulatory framework for international air

navigation WHO international health regulations ITU international standards and regulations in

telecommunications WTO international agreements and regulations related to

trade Etc.

Non-UN: ISO International Standards Organization CEN European Committee for Standardization Etc.

WMO Technical Regulations History Composition Amendment procedures Implementation

1956 20

1

2

WMO Technical Regulations - History Pre-WMO:

IMO created some Technical Resolutions that established the basis for future regulation and standardization

WMO: Cg-I (1951):

Interim arrangements – Res 4 (Cg-I) extended the validity of the IMO technical resolutions until the preparation of the new WMO technical regulations

Cg-II (1955): Res 17 (Cg-II) – Defined the WMO Technical Regulations and the terms “standard

meteorological practices and procedures” and “recommended meteorological practices and procedures”

Res 18 (Cg-II) – Definition of the Guides of WMO (still valid and available in WMO-No.508)

Res 19 (Cg-II) – Adopted the Technical Regulations (Vol I and Vol II) for implementation as of 1 July 1956

Res 20 (Cg-II) – Notification of deviations from standard meteorological practices and procedures (“standards”) (amended by Cg-III (1955) to include notification of compliance, as well)

WMO Technical Regulations - History Cg-VI (1971):

Introduced the concept of Manuals as Annexes to the Technical Regulations; Manual on the GTS became Annex III; the global aspects of Annexes consist standards and recommendations (same status as the TRs); approval of amendments by the EC

Adopted Volume III – Operational Hydrology Cg-VII (1975):

Alignment of the TRs with the World Weather Watch After Cg-X (1987):

Edition 1988 was published and remained valid with some Supplements until Cg-XVI in 2011

EC-60 (2008): Approved the Working Arrangements between ISO and WMO

Cg-XVI (2011): Res 45: called for revision of the regulatory documents in a systematic manner and ensure

that the published versions of the regulatory documents can be used as reference documentation; adopted Volume IV, Quality Management

WMO Technical Regulations - definitions The Technical Regulations comprise standard practices and procedures and

recommended practices and procedures. They are defined by Congress – Res 17 (Cg-II); currently included in the General Provisions of TRs and Introduction part of Manuals

Standard practices and procedures (standard):a) Shall be the practices and procedures which it is necessary that Members follow or

implement; and thereforeb) Shall have the status of requirements in a technical resolution in respect of which

Article 9 (b) of the Convention is applicable; andc) Shall invariably be distinguished by the use of the term shall in the English text, and

by suitable equivalent terms in the Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish texts.

WMO Technical Regulations - definitions

Recommended practices and procedures (recommendation):(a) Shall be the practices and procedures which it is desirable that Members follow or

implement; and therefore(b) Shall have the status of recommendations to Members, to which Article 9 (b) of

the Convention shall not be applied;(c) Shall be distinguished by the use of the term should in the English text (except

where otherwise provided by decision of Congress) and by suitable equivalent terms in the Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish texts.

Note: the term desirable needs clarification

WMO Technical Regulations - Implementation Required actions by Members:

Convention - Article 9, Execution of Congress decisionsa) All Members shall do their utmost to implement the decisions of Congress;b) If, however, any Member finds it impracticable to give effect to some

requirement in a technical resolution adopted by Congress, such Member shall inform the Secretary-General of the Organization whether its inability to give effect to it is provisional or final, and state its reasons therefor.

General Regulations – GR 128: [1] [notification of non-compliance (deviation)] A Member which is unable to give effect

to a requirement in a technical resolution which has been adopted by Congress, or by the Executive Council on behalf of Congress, and to which the provisions of Article 9 (b) of the Convention and of these Regulations have been specifically stated to apply, shall so inform the Secretary-General in writing within a period of 90 days after the notification of the decision by the latter. The Member concerned must indicate, in its communication to the Secretary-General, whether its inability to give effect to the resolution is provisional or final and state its reasons therefor.

WMO Technical Regulations - Implementation Required actions by Members:

General Regulations – GR 128: [2] [notification of compliance] Members shall specifically notify the Secretary-

General in writing of their intention to apply the “standard practices” of the Technical Regulations except for those for which they lodge specific deviations.

[3] [notification of change] Members shall also inform the Secretary-General, at least three months in advance, of any change in the degree of their implementation of a “standard practice” as previously notified and of the effective date of the change.

GR 202 (General functions of the Secretariat) (8) To maintain records of the extent to which each Member implements the

decisions of the Organization;

WMO Technical Regulations – the two types

StandardStandard practices and procedures

RecommendedRecommended practices and procedures

necessary for Members to follow or implement

desirable for Members to follow or implement

distinguished by the use of the term shall distinguished by the use of the term should

status of requirements status of recommendations

defined in a technical resolution -

Members shall do their utmost to implement Members urged to comply with

Article 9(b) of the Convention is applicable Article 9(b) of the Convention is not applicable

Members shall inform SG of inability or impracticability of implementation

No requirement

GR 128 is applicable GR 128 is not applicable

Types of regulations - SPPs and RPPs

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition WMO Guides – CG-II (1955)

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition WMO Manuals – Cg-VI (1971)

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition

• Basic SARPs (definitive)• Mostly requirement-driven• Approval by Congress (in principle)• Relatively Conservative

• More detailed SARPs (procedures and specifications)

• Could be technology-driven• Approval delegated to EC• Relatively Dynamic

• Procedures and practices• Implementation guidance• Explanations• Examples, good practice• Flexible updates

“Shall”and “Should”have specificmeaning

“Shall”and “Should”have ordinarymeaning

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition WMO Technical Regulations – Basic Documents No. 2, WMO-No.49:

Volume I General Meteorological Standards and Recommended Practices

Volume II Meteorological Service for International Air Navigation

Volume III Hydrology Volume IV Quality Management

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition WMO Technical Regulations – Annexes/Manuals:

Annex I International Cloud Atlas (WMO-No. 407), Volume I – Manual on the Observation of Clouds and Other Meteors, (in part)

Annex II Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306), Volume I.1 (Part A - Alphanumeric Codes); Volume I.2 (Part B - Binary Codes, Part C - Common Features to Binary and Alphanumeric Codes)

Annex III Manual on the Global Telecommunication System (WMO-No. 386), Volume I

Annex IV Manual on the Global Data-processing and Forecasting System (WMO-No.485), Volume I

Annex V Manual on the Global Observing System (WMO-No. 544), Volume I

Annex VI Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 558), Volume I

Annex VII Manual on the WMO Information System (WMO-No. 1060) Annex VIII Manual on the Implementation of Education and Training

Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology (WMO-No. 1083)

WMO Technical Regulations - Composition WMO Technical Regulations – webpage:http://www.wmo.int/pages/governance/policy/tech_regu_en.html Other elements of the Technical Regulations:

Definitions Appendices Annexes Notes

Their status and format is defined in the TR’s General Provisions

Type Status

Definition Part of the standard or recommendation in which the term is used

Note Explanatory material (often including references to other parts of the document or to other publications); not having a status of a standard, nor a recommendation

Appendix The same status as the standard or recommendation to which it refers

WMO Technical Regulations Summary

“This history [of WMO and WWW] illustrates a profoundly important transition from voluntarist internationalism, based on shared interests, to quasiobligatory globalism, based on a more permanent shared infrastructure. The WMO and the WWW thus represent infrastructural globalism, by which “the world” as a whole is produced and maintained (as both object of knowledge and unified arena of human action) through global infrastructures.”

Paul N. Edwards, Meteorology as Infrastructural Globalism

WMO Technical Regulations - Amendments

Approval process Approval of amendments to TRs – as a rule, by Congress “Fast-track” procedures:

Approval by Executive Council (in accordance with Article 14(c) of the Convention): if the change is to be implemented before the time of next Congress; Amendments to Annexes to the Technical Regulations proposed by the

appropriate technical commissions are normally approved by the Executive Council.

The President of the Organization may approve a change on behalf of the Executive Council (in accordance with GR 9(5)) if the change is urgent.

WMO Technical Regulations - Amendments

Timeline for regular updates

How to formulate a regulation: Each standard defines a requirement Each standard-making body should develop mechanisms for defining

(user) requirements (e.g., CBS Rolling Review of Requirements – RRR)

Two main types of requirements: Institutional or System requirements

• Establishment of global, regional, and national networks and facilities with their scope, objectives and composition

• Establishment of authority, responsibility, mandatory management practices

• Human resources requirements (e.g., ETR, competences, qualifications)

Technical – operational, functional, procedural

WMO Technical Regulations – how to make them

How to formulate a regulation: Examples – System requirements

Definition of a system, including its scope, objectives and composition:[A.2.1.] 1.1: The Global Data-processing System shall include World Meteorological Centres, Regional Meteorological Centres and National Meteorological Centres.

Designation of national facilities/networks:Manual on GOS: 2.8.3: Each Member shall establish and maintain at least one reference climatological station.

Designation of regional facilities/networks:Manual on GOS: 2.1.3.1: Regional networks shall be established in relation to the regional requirements.

WMO Technical Regulations – how to make them

How to formulate a regulation: Examples – Technical requirements

Definition of standard observing procedure:Manual on GOS: 2.3.1.4: The intermediate standard times for surface synoptic observations shall be 0300, 0900, 1500 and 2100 UTC.

Definition of standard product/service:Manual on MMSs: 2.2.3.1: Weather and sea bulletins for the high seas shall include, in the order given hereafter: Part I: Warnings; Part II: …

Recommended procedure – data processing:[B.1.]4.2.4: Annual averages should be computed from the monthly averages by dividing the sum of the monthly averages by twelve, without consideration of the varying lengths of the months.

WMO Technical Regulations – how to make them

Some difficulties: It is relatively easy to develop regulations related to technical matters, e.g.,

observations (e.g., how to measure temperature) It is more difficult to develop regulations about services, e.g., services in

support of DRR; why? WMO regulations are international by nature, but implemented nationally User requirements should be very well identified and clear There should be an enforcement mechanism Regulations should be fit to service delivery models Etc.

A good example is aviation, because: Users are clear and their requirements are well defined – e.g., “safety first” Aviation is an international business, thus the regulations are aimed at

interoperability, efficiency and smooth cross-border operations There are explicit liabilities There is a culture of compliance in the community

Service provision is getting more and more deregulated

WMO Technical Regulations – how to make them

Summary:Making regulations – from concepts to reality

Best practices should become regulations through consensus

Regulations should be globally implementable

Regulations should be enforceable

Regulations should bring benefits

WMO Technical Regulations – how to make them

WMO Technical Regulations - Implementation Through the TRs, WMO has established an international (global) regulatory

framework enabling a harmonized and standardized conduct of the meteorological, hydrological and climatological activities

TRs require all Members to align their national practices with specified set of standard and recommended practices and procedures

The enforcement of the international regulatory framework should be achieved through the “translation” of the TRs into appropriate national legislation and regulation, which each Member establishes for the conduct of meteorological, hydrological and climatological activities

How to improve WMO Technical Regulations General Principles in the selection of material for inclusion in the Technical

Regulations (agreed by Congress) Technical commissions should not recommend that a Regulation be a

standard practice unless it is supported by a strong majority; (mature for global implementation)

Technical Regulations should contain appropriate instructions to Members regarding implementation of the provision in question; (implementable)

No major changes should be made in the Technical Regulations without consulting the appropriate technical commissions; (relevant)

Any amendments proposed to these Technical Regulations submitted by Members or by constituent bodies should be communicated to all Members at least three months before they are submitted to Congress. (globally coordinated)

How to improve WMO Technical Regulations Guidelines for preparation and promulgation of WMO Technical Regulationshttps://docs.google.com/a/wmo.int/file/d/0B8DhC1GSWSmxZGJIT1o0UzNrUE0/edit

A mature draft has been presented to EC-65 (May 2013). The Guidelines are based on: All relevant WMO material; Experience of other standardizing organizations – e.g., WHO, ICAO, ITU, etc.; ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 – Rules for the structure and drafting of

International Standards

How to improve WMO Technical Regulations

ISO/IEC DIR 2 specifies General Principles, e.g., TRs should define clear and unambiguous provisions To achieve their objectives, TRs shall:

be as complete as necessary within the limits specified by their scope,

be consistent, clear and accurate, take full account of the state of the art, provide a framework for future technological development, be comprehensible to qualified persons who have not participated

in its preparation, and take into account the principles for the drafting of documents

How to improve WMO Technical Regulations ISO/IEC DIR 2 General Principles:

Performance approach:Whenever possible, requirements shall be expressed in terms of performance

rather than design or descriptive characteristics. This approach leaves maximum freedom to technical development.

Primarily those characteristics shall be included that are suitable for worldwide (universal) acceptance. Where necessary, owing to differences in legislation, climate, environment, economies, social conditions, trade patterns, etc., several options may be indicated. Homogeneity:

Uniformity of structure, of style and of terminology shall be maintained not only within each document, but also within a series of associated documents. Consistency:

In order to achieve the aim of consistency within the complete corpus of documents, the text of every document shall be in accordance with the relevant provisions of existing basic documents (e.g., terminology, quantities, units and their symbols, abbreviated terms, bibliographic references, etc.)

How to improve WMO Technical Regulations ISO/IEC DIR 2 General Principles:

Equivalence of official language versionsThe texts in the different official language versions shall be technically equivalent and structurally identical. The use of bilingualism from the initial stage of drafting is of great assistance in the preparation of clear and unambiguous texts.

Fitness for implementation as a regional or national standardThe content of a document shall be drawn up in such a way as to facilitate its direct application and its adoption without change as a regional or national standard.

How to improve WMO Technical Regulations Develop an Organization-

wide standard-making process

Define roles of participating bodies

Ensure engagement of all stakeholders through on organization-wide consultation process

Emphasize the editorial role of Secretariat

Enforcement and Culture of Compliance

Enforcement The international regulatory framework is implemented by

Members (or groups of Members) WMO TRs should penetrate into national (or regional)

legislation and regulation Members should endeavor to reproduce or include reference

to relevant WMO TRs and international standards Other organizations should recognize relevant WMO TRs and

international standards At operational level, NMHSs should base their SOPs and

other internal regulations on the WMO TRs

Enforcement and Culture of Compliance

Enhanced Culture of Compliance To be promoted throughout the Organization Improved Regulatory Documents Better engagement of Members in the development and pre-approval

phase Provide “compliance assistance” through better Guidance on

implementation by Members Regular updates of Regulatory Documents following an expected cycle Reinstate the notification of non-compliance Monitor and identify deficiencies and deviations Address critical deficiencies – major priority for Capacity Development Use “compliance” as one of the main KPI in the strategic planning and M&E Promote compliance beyond the NMHSs

Enforcement and Culture of Compliance

Some possible reasons for non-Compliance (different from lack of capacity) TRs are not formulated properly; lack of understanding of requirements User requirements are not properly studied and reflected There is no well defined “Regulator” at national level responsible for the

enforcement of the international regulations; in the case of ICAO, each Member designates Meteorological Authority; in the case of WHO – Ministry of Health

Exposure to liability – stronger in the case of ICAO or WHO Benefits are not well understood/demonstrated Monitoring of implementation is weak and no “penalties” for non-

compliance No systematic approach towards resolving identified deficiencies

Enforcement and Culture of Compliance Example of defining National Authority

TRs, Volume II:[C.3.1.] 2.1.4 Each Member shall designate the authority, hereinafter referred to as the meteorological authority, to provide or to arrange for the provision of meteorological service for international air navigation on its behalf.

Example of defining provider-user relationship[C.3.1.] 2.2.1 Close liaison shall be maintained between those concerned with the supply and those concerned with the use of meteorological information on matters which affect the provision of meteorological service for international air navigation.

Example of defining service objective[C.3.1.] 2.1.1 The objective of meteorological service for international air navigation shall be to contribute towards the safety, regularity and efficiency of international air navigation.

Final remarks Standards shall reflect realities, e.g., the normal process is to identify “best

practice” and standardize them Define objective and scope first Conceptual material should NOT go to regulations QMS principle should be embedded in the process, in particular, customer

focus Avoid “overregulation” Identify the implementer (e.g., national authority) Implementation should be affordable; always think of the cost involved (in

particular, for less developed countries) Evolutionary approach, e.g., start with Guide and “upgrade” to Manual, or,

start with Recommendation and “upgrade” to Standard Careful considerations regarding “national” and “international” requirements Monitor, assist, improve

Standards and realities

www.wmo.int

Thank you for your attention

The Power of StandardsA standard can kill a planet

Is Pluto a planet?

Like the other eight planets, Pluto goes around the Sun in an elliptical orbit, which complies with the definition of a planet – large heavenly bodies that revolve around a star.

Recently (2006) the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union (the organization that sets standards for planets) determined that Pluto was not a planet after all. It was demoted to the category of “dwarf planet”, a title it now shares with Ceres and an object called UB313 (consequently named Eris).

Planet has been defined as celestial body that: (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

Not all astronomers are happy with this decision and hundreds have signed a petition to return to the older definition.

Moreover, in March 2007, the New Mexico House of Representatives voted anonymously in favor of a resolution that Pluto IS a planet.

That in turn raised another question: Just which earthly body has the final authority over the classification of the heavenly bodies?

(From: Standards; Recipes for Reality, Lawrence Bush, MIT Press)

The Power of StandardsA standard can kill a planet