Review of the Draft Registry Service Provider (RSP) Handbook - New gTLD Program

What We Received Input On

ICANN org is requesting input regarding the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program, as described by the Draft RSP Handbook, specifically whether the handbook meets the intent of the policy recommendations of Topic 6: Registry Service Provider Pre-Evaluation of the SubPro PDP Final Report.

Additionally, comments regarding the following aspects of the RSP Evaluation Program are being sought:

• Timeliness of evaluations with respect to RSP selection by gTLD applicants.
• Clarity of requirements for RSP applicants.
• Additional topics of inquiry for RSP applicants.
• Clarity of questions being asked of RSP applicants.

Background

The Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program is a part of ICANN’s New Generic Top-Level Domain (gTLD) Program: Next Round. The program is intended to reduce the cost and time required for evaluating new gTLDs by separating the evaluation of the technical aspects of operating a gTLD from the application for the gTLD label. With the RSP Evaluation Program, RSPs will only be evaluated once regardless of the number of gTLDs for which they provide service. The RSP Evaluation Program is the implementation of the policy recommendations of Topic 6: Registry Service Provider Pre-Evaluation of the SubPro PDP Final Report

The RSP Evaluation Program will evaluate RSPs both before and during the application submission and evaluation periods for new gTLDs. A list of successfully evaluated RSPs will be published prior to the opening of the gTLD application period, enabling gTLD applicants to select RSPs.

The draft RSP Handbook describes the RSP Evaluation Program, offering guidance to potential RSP applicants with regard to the process of RSP evaluation, the requirements to operate an RSP, timelines and expectations of evaluation and testing, criteria and eligibility for RSP applicants.

Before this Public Comment proceeding, ICANN org worked with the Subsequent Procedures (SubPro) Implementation Review Team to refine the draft RSP Handbook. This Public Comment period is an opportunity for the broader ICANN community to contribute to strengthening and refining the draft RSP Handbook in line with policy outputs.

Next Steps

The Public Comment period will close on 22 April 2024. ICANN org will release a Public Comment summary report. ICANN org will consider the comments and make updates, as appropriate, to the RSP Handbook.

Supporting Information