THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE REGULATING COMMITTEE FOR METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES Climate Change and Air Quality

PURPOSE The purpose of this presentation is: To outline the role and function of the Regulating Committee for Meteorological Services as prescribed and set out in the SAWS Act. Explain the role of the Department in supporting the Regulating Committee in discharging its functions as prescribed in the SAWS Act

INTRODUCTION The Regulating Committee for Meteorological Services (RCMS) is established in terms of Section 20(1)(a) of the South African Weather Service Act (Act No. 8 of 2001), as amended, which reads – “The Minister must establish a committee, to be known as the regulating Committee for Meteorological Services.”

INTRODUCTION (Cont.) The name of this committee must be carefully noted as this, in itself, provides some insight into its role and function – i.e. it is the “Regulating Committee for Meteorological Services” and not the “South African Weather Service (SAWS) Regulating Committee”.

INTRODUCTION (Cont.) The Regulating Committee must, on behalf of the Minister and civil society, ensure that SAWS implements its statutory mandate in respect of the delivery of meteorological services in an efficient, effective, fair and transparent manner in line with government policy and legislation.

STATUTORY ROLES AND FUNCTIONS The Committee must set broad limits on prices for services and products that the Weather Service charges for Met Services. (Section 21(1)(a) To this end “the Committee must determine the level of user charges to imposed on the aviation and maritime industries by the Weather Service and advise the Minister on the making of regulations in this regard.” (Section 21(1)(b)

STATUTORY ROLES AND FUNCTIONS (Cont.) The Committee must also ensure that the Weather Service does not abuse its position, but that it acts in such a manner so as not to place undue restrictions on the Weather Service's commercial activities and guard the Weather Service against unfair competition from national and international private weather services (Section 21(1)(c) In this regard, that the Committee may need to investigate and respond to any complaints relating to unfair business practices from both SAWS and other national and international private weather services and interested and affected parties.

STATUTORY ROLES AND FUNCTIONS (Cont.) The Committee must promote the safe, efficient, economical and profitable operation of the Weather Service with respect to tariffs relating to aviation and maritime services”. Section 21(1)(d) The Committee must promote reasonable interest and needs of clients and customers of the Weather Service”. Section 21(1)(e). To this end, the Committee may need to conduct client and customer surveys and investigate and respond to any complaints from clients and customers.

ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT The Department plays the role of providing secretarial support to the Committee with a view to ensuring that the Committee discharges it advisory functions and role to the Minister in an efficient and transparent manner. To this end the Department does not interfere in any way in the work of the Committee