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Amendment procedures for WIS publications

Activity Areas (1)

WMO Information System (WIS)

There are two primary options for amending the WIS publications as described in Rules of Procedure for Technical Commissions (WMO-No. 1240). The WMO expert teams are responsible for compiling, proposing, documenting and testing the amendments. 

1. Standard approval procedure

This is the default procedure, where amendments are adopted by session or correspondence, where Congress or Executive Council approve Manuals and INFCOM approves Guides and other non-regulatorial publications. 

2. Fast-track approval procedure

This procedure is applicable to the updating of certain components ‭(designated as technical specifications) of the following manuals: Manual on Codes ‭(WMO-No. ‭306), Manual on the Global Telecommunication System ‭(WMO-No. ‭386), Manual on the WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System ‭(WMO-No. ‭485), Manual on the WMO Information System ‭(WMO-No. ‭1060), and Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System ‭(WMO-No. ‭1160).

Fast-track workflow

  1. Requirements: Proposals for amendments are gathered year-round and are typically documented in GitHub or in other working areas.
  2. Draft Recommendation: The Expert Team prioritizes, proposes solutions, and validates amendments.
  3. Approval: Chair of the SC-IMT.
  4. Review: Summary of amendments are submitted to focal points with two months for review.
  5. Endorsement: President of INFCOM in consultation with SERCOM.
  6. Adoption: President of WMO on behalf of the Executive Council.
  7. Publication: Amendments are posted to WMO websites. The manuals and guides are translated and republished annually. 

Fast Track Schedules 

The exact target dates will vary every year. 

Fast Track 1

  • Feb: Submit draft amendments to National Focal Points for consultation.
  • April: Submit draft amendments for endorsement and adoption.
  • May: Amendments are published and considered operational.

Fast Track 2

  • July: Submit draft amendments to National Focal Points for consultation.
  • Sept: Submit draft amendments for endorsement and adoption.
  • November: Amendments are published and considered operational

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Last Update: 06 March 2025