Amendment procedures for WMO publications

There are two primary options for amending WMO 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

The standard approval procedure is the default mechanism for adopting amendments either in session or by correspondence. Manuals are approved by Congress or Executive Council, while Guides and other non-regulatory publications are approved by the relevant technical commission.

2. Fast-track approval procedure

• Manual on Codes ‭(WMO-No. ‭306)
• Manual on the WMO Information System ‭(WMO-No. ‭1060)
• Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System ‭(WMO-No. ‭1160)
• Manual on the WMO Integrated Processing and Prediction System ‭(WMO-No. ‭485)

• Guide to WMO Information System ‭(WMO-No. ‭1061)
• Provisions for the transition from WIS 1.0 and GTS to WIS 2.0 (WMO-No. 1323)

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 relevant Expert Team prioritizes, proposes solutions, and validates amendments.
3. Approval: Chair of the relevant Standing Committee. 
4. Review: A compiled proposal of related amendments is submitted to focal points for review within two months.
5. The President of the relevant technical commission, in consultation with other constituent bodies as needed, endorses Manuals and adopts Guides and other non-regulatory material. 
6. Adoption: President of WMO on behalf of the Executive Council for Manuals.
7. Publication: Amendments are posted on the Community website until revised publications are available from the WMO e-Library. 

Focal Points 

This page was last updated on 5 November 2026.