1. Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS)
Presentation to the Portfolio Committee
on Communications 13 October 2016

2. Presentation Outline Introduction and background
SEIAS within Policy and Planning Framework
Application of SEIAS and Process Map
Implementation Progress
Key Learning Points on implementation

3. 1. Introduction and background
The NDP, MTSF and Outcome 4 prioritise:
A reduction in the burden placed on inclusive growth resulting from unintended consequences of government actions as well as inefficient and/or inappropriate regulations
A need to improve compliance burden ,complexity of policy development, laws and regulations as well as removing unnecessary obstacles to growth and development such as :
Costs that exceed the hoped-for benefits;
Protracted turnaround times to deliver services;
Excessive risks leading to implementation failure;
Policy proposals that require capacity that the state doesn’t have; and
Delays on implementation of laws and regulations due litigations or lack of buy in from affected stakeholders
SEIAS was then introduced by Cabinet in February 2015, to replace RIA and to assess policies, laws and regulations in line with NDP priorities

4. Introduction cont…(2) Implementation Date: 01 October 2015
The primary objective of SEIAS is to assists departments to better formulate policies, legislations & regulations and ensure:
Alignment with national priorities in promoting inclusive growth, addressing inequality, spatial imbalances, and environmental degradation
Risks associated with the implementation of such laws are thereof mitigated, thus unintended consequences are minimised
Costs of implementing such prescripts are reduced while benefits by the deprived service recipients are optimised; and
Regulatory burden is reduced, thus a better and efficient administrative mechanisms of implementing the national priorities
All new/ review/ amendment Policies, Legislations and Regulations –Cabinet/ Internally approved by EAs
Implementation Date: 01 October 2015

5. Introduction cont…(3): Transitional Arrangements
SEIAS Awareness, training and institutionalisation: March to June 2015
Transitional period: June to September 2016
Revision of the Cabinet Guidelines and Memo format to include SEIAS: July 2015
Proposals developed prior to SEIAS and in advanced stage of development were to be subjected to only Final Impact Assessment
Bills that were already introduced to Parliament could not be withdrawn and subjected to SEIAS
Bills that were already approved by Cabinet prior to the 1st October 2015 were not subjected to SEIAS
New proposals/ newly amended initiated from the 01 October 2015 had to be subjected to the Initial Impact Assessment

6. Introduction…SEIAS, RIA and CBA (4)

7. Introduction…. (5)
Thought through process and NOT a compliance driven mechanism with another “tick-box” to complete
The rationale behind policy/ legislation development or review
Anticipate the implementation and readiness
We are always looking at socio-economic costs/benefits and risks and not only at quantifiable economic costs.
If there is quantification then the level of quantification should be proportionate to the need for it

8. 2. SEIAS within Policy and Planning Framework
Institution’s operational plans and individual performance agreements
Constitutional and Legislative Mandates
National, Provincial and Local Planning Frameworks (NDP, MTSF, PGDS, IDPs, Sector Policies)
Vision, Mission and Values
Strategic Goals-5 Year targets, Budget Programme Structures
Programme KPIs and MTEF Targets
Govt. Wide Plans
APPs
SEIAS
Strat. Plan
Adapted from Framework for Strategic Plans and APPs

9. SEIAS within Policy and Planning… (2)
Strategic Plans are tools to assist entities to prioritise and plan the progressive implementation of their legislative mandates, policies and programmes.
Policies- both internal (sector) and external-such as the NDP, MTSF and etc.
SEIAS prepares policy makers/ law drafters to proactively /anticipate/ think upfront the implications and implementation in relation to the problems identified.
Poor policy/law making result in poor programme design and other related interventions and thus persisting inequality, poverty, spatial imbalances and environmental degradation.

10. 3. Application of SEIAS- Assessment Templates
Summary of the proposal (policy/bill/ regulations)
Problem and root causes
Intended Outcomes (achieved)
Benefits/ Incur costs/ lose
Behaviours to change and mechanisms
Consultations
Disputes that might arise and mechanisms for settling them
Impact Assessment-Implementation/ Cost of changing behaviour and benefits
Risks and mitigation measures
Monitoring and Evaluation
Further minimising risks, cost and maximising benefits
What is the problem and why it should be addressed?
What causes the problem and whose behaviour must change
Scoping options-dealing with the problem-benefits, implementation costs, risks and impact on national priorities
Mitigation of risks
Conclusion : Which option is most desirable, and why?
Initial Impact Assessment
Final Impact
Assessment
Most Desirable Option
Is the option still relevant as the policy advances-ito development stages?
Significant time lag between the two assessments

11. Process Map: SEIAS and Policy/ Legislation Development
Mandate to Develop Policy
Phase 1 SEIA by Policy making team
Review of SEIA by DPME and the implementing Dept.
Policy Development and Research
Consultation process on policy
Development of a Bill/ White Paper
Phase 2 SEIA by Policy / Law making Team
Review by DPME Team and initiating Dep
Revise if required and supported by DPME
Submit to Minister and/or Cabinet
DPME Issue a sign off form: Assessment and QA

12. 4. SEIAS implementation
SEIAS unit was established within DPME- Capacity, Coordination, Quality Assurance
Cabinet Office-Ensure that all Policies/ Bills are accompanied by SEIAS reports
Interdepartmental Steering Committee: Guidance, support, training and facilitation
Depts. SEIAS Champions- coordination and ensure that all policies/ bills and regulations are subjected to SEIAS by initiating units
Provided training to 136 officials-33 Depts. (Legal Services, Policy Dev, M & E and Research)
As at 31 March 2016: 117 Prescripts subjected to SEIAS- 65 Bills, 16 Regulations, 25 policies and 11 plans/frameworks- 581 officials were exposed to inductions on actual application of SEIAS

13. Implementation… (2)-June 2015-31 March 2016
Item
Total
Progress up to 31 March 2016
Sign off forms issued by DPME after analysis, feedback and final reports by Depts.
Facilitated/ provided feedback and awaiting for the reports from Departments
Pending analysis/ sign off by DPME
Bills 65 36 22 7
Regulations 16 12 2
Policies 25 14 4
Plans 5 1
Frameworks
Strategies 3
Others (Charter)
117 66 33 18 %
56%
28%
15%

14. Implementation… (3)-01 April-30 June 2016
Item
Number of submissions
Progress
Total Submissions by Depts.
First time submissions by Depts.
Revised submissions by Depts.
Feedback on analyses sent to Departments per submission
QA Sign off Forms issued
Pending analysis and feedback to departments
1. Bills 32 6 26 28 14 4
2. Regulations 9 3
3. Policies 12 10 2
4. Plans 5 1
5. Frameworks
6. Strategies
7. Others :
Business Case, Concept Document, Norms and Standards, Research Document
Total 67 27 40 57

15. Implementation… (4)-01 July-30 September 2016
Item
Number of submissions
Progress
Total Submissions by Depts.
First time submissions by Depts.
Revised submissions by Depts.
Feedback on analyses sent to Departments per submission
QA Sign off Forms issued
Pending analysis and feedback to departments
1. Bills 23 11 12 17 6
2. Regulations 10 7 3 5
3. Policies 30 14 16 26 4
4. Plans 2 1
5. Frameworks
6. Strategies
7. Others :
Project Review, Norms and Standards, Charter, Rules and International Agreement
Total 86 40 46 67 19

16. 5. Implementation-Key Learning Points (Cross cutting)
The system brought officials from different disciplines within departments to have dialogue and input on policies and legislations i.e. M & E, Policy & Research, Line function (content) and Legal Services
SEIAS allows for better coordination in policy and legislative development within and across departments where there are overlapping mandates, roles and responsibilities
Unevenness in the quality of SEIAS reports

17. Key Learning Points…(2)
In some instances, challenges were on problem identification and the root causes i.e. the rationale behind developing/ amending policies and legislations and strategic linkages to the NDP
Unrealistic assumptions or mismatch between that the objectives of the proposed policy/ bill and identified problems and root causes
Lack of adequate identification and analysis of the risks that may impede implementation
Alternative options not sufficiently thought through
Need to strengthen communication and awareness of NDP priorities across different levels in departments by Management, Strategic Planning & M & E units
Better coordination on the implementation of the Legislative Programme to adhere to timelines

18. Ke ya leboga Ke a leboha Ke a leboga Ngiyabonga Ndiyabulela Ngiyathokoza Ngiyabonga Inkomu Ndi khou livhuha Thank you Dankie