Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO)
Developing Policy
As one of the three Supporting Organizations within ICANN, the ccNSO is responsible for developing and recommending global policies to ICANN that are limited to IANA-related aspects of the DNS affecting country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). The ccNSO operates as a bottom-up, consensus-driven body, ensuring that its policy recommendations reflect the needs and interests of the global ccTLD community and other stakeholders.
The ccNSO Policy Development Process (PDP) follows a structured approach. It begins with the identification of an issue, followed by community consultation and drafting of a policy proposal. Once developed, the proposal undergoes extensive public review and refinement before it is submitted to the ICANN Board for consideration. Participation in the PDP is voluntary for ccTLD managers and others.
Through open dialogue, collaboration and a commitment to consensus, the ccNSO contributes to the stability and security of the Domain Name System (DNS), helping ensure that ccTLDs remain resilient and effective in a rapidly evolving Internet landscape.
Overview of Policies and Guidance Relevant to ccTLDs
Over time, and in accordance with its mandate, the ccNSO has developed various policies, policy-related advisories and interpretation, and practices that may be relevant for ccTLDs. The purpose of this document is to provide a current overview of those policies, policy-related advisories and interpretations, and practices. In addition, mechanisms are included that may support a ccTLD in structuring its relationship with ICANN.
In 2003 the ccNSO was created with the specific mandate (to the exclusion of other groups) to develop and recommend to the ICANN Board global policies relating to country code top-level domains (Article 10.1 ICANN Bylaws). The scope of this mandate was further detailed in Annex C of the Bylaws: the ccNSO’s responsibility is limited to and with exclusion of others to develop policies specifying the rules and conditions under which data will be processed (included, altered, or deleted) in the root-zone database.
In addition, the ccNSO is mandated to develop voluntary best practices for ccTLD managers, assisting in skills building within the global community of ccTLD managers, and enhancing operational and technical cooperation among ccTLD managers. Adherence to these practices will be voluntary.
As ccTLDs pre-date both ICANN (which was established in 1998) and the ccNSO, basic rules and conditions for how IANA would process data with respect to ccTLDs, including the data that designates and distinguishes a ccTLD from other TLDs, were in place: RFC1591. When the ccNSO was created this was acknowledged in Annex C of the Bylaws.
In summary, this document sets out the key elements of policy and practice that form a framework for how ICANN/PTI and ccTLDs relate to each other and structure their relationship.