| (1) | The functions of the CSIR shall be to achieve its objects with the means at its disposal, and for the purposes of achieving those objects the CSIR may— |
| (a) | undertake research in connection with— |
| (i) | the better utilization of the resources of the Republic, and the improvement of the productive capacity of its population; |
| (ii) | the improvement of technical processes and methods to improve industrial production, and the promotion and the expansion of existing, and the establishment of new industries; |
| (iii) | standardization in industry and commerce; |
| (b) | utilize the technological expertise in its possession or make it available to any person; |
| (c) | foster the training of its manpower; |
[Subsection (1)(c) substituted by section 3(a) of Act No. 71 of 1990]
| (d) | publish information concerning its objects and functions, and establish facilities for the collection and dissemination of information in connection with research; |
| (e) | establish and control facilities in those fields of research which the Board may from time to time approve; |
| (f) | co-operate with State departments, societies, institutions and other persons that are nationally or internationally involved in research. |
[Subsection (1)(f) substituted by section 3(b) of Act No. 71 of 1990]
| (2) | [Subsection (2) deleted by section 3(a) of Act No. 16 of 2011] |
| (3) | [Subsection (3) repealed by section 27 of Act No. 18 of 2006] |
| (4) | For the achievement of its objects contemplated in section 3, the CSIR may in the field of research co-operate with departments of State, universities, universities of technology, colleges, scientific institutions and other persons. |
[Subsection (4) substituted by section 3(b) of Act No. 16 of 2011]
| (5) | The CSIR may, in order to fulfil its functions or attain any of its objects— |
| (a) | enter into agreements with any, person or, subject to the provisions of section 5, any government or administration, on the terms and conditions upon which the Board and that person, government or administration agree; |
| (b) | purchase or otherwise acquire, or possess or dispose of movable and immovable property, and hire, let pledge or otherwise encumber that property; |
| (c) | borrow money from time to time on the terms and conditions approved by the Board by way of loans from any source and against the security which the Board may deem fit; |
| (d) | establish any company, or in association with any person establish a company, for the purpose of developing or exploiting in any manner whatsoever any invention or technological expertise, and for this purpose acquire an interest in or control over a company or statutory body; |
| (e) | perform or exercise any function or power entrusted to or conferred upon the CSIR by any other Act, and |
| (f) | in addition to the other things which the CSIR is required or empowered to do in terms of the other provisions of this Act or in terms of any other Act, do everything which is conducive to the achievement of its objects or is calculated directly or indirectly, to enhance the value of or render profitable the property or rights of the CSIR. |
| (6) | The CSIR shall, subject to its other functions in terms of this Act or any other Act— |
| (a) | undertake the investigations or research which the Minister may require; and |
| (b) | advise the Minister on research in general. |
