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APNIC Document identity

 Title:                         APNIC policy development process

 Short title:                   policy-development
 Document ref:                  APNIC-111
 Version:                       002
 Date of original publication:  19 February 2004
 Date of current version:       19 February 2014
 Review scheduled:              APNIC-111-v001
 Obsoletes:                     n/a
 Status:                        Active
 Comments:                      Change to Comment Period length: Step 3.
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APNIC policy development process


Table of contents
-----------------

1.  Introduction

2.  Scope

3.  Definitions
    3.1.  Policy proposal

4.  Proposal process

    Step 1: Discussion before the OPM
    Step 2: Consensus at the OPM
    Step 3: Discussion after the OPM
    Step 4: Confirming consensus
    Step 5: Endorsement from the EC


1.  Introduction
----------------

This document describes the process through which policy proposals
are to be submitted, considered and adopted by APNIC. Policies are
developed by the membership and the broader Internet community
through a bottom-up process of consultation and consensus.

The forums for policy development are twice-yearly APNIC Open Policy
Meetings (OPMs) and discussions on Special Interest Group (SIG)
mailing lists.

Anyone may attend the meetings and participate in discussions and
the decision making.


2.  Scope
---------
This document describes the process through which policy-related
proposals may be submitted, considered, and adopted by the APNIC
community, including a step-by-step explanation of the process.
This process will be followed in the creation of any new policy, as
well as any substantial or significant changes to existing policy.


3.  Definitions
---------------

    3.1.  Policy proposal
          Policy proposals are proposals which have been officially
          submitted for the consideration of the APNIC community, and
          which propose either a new policy or a change to an existing
          policy. Upon adoption, these policies will apply to the
          operation of APNIC, the APNIC Secretariat, and the APNIC
          membership.


4.  Proposal process
--------------------

A policy proposal must go through the following chronological steps
in order to be adopted by APNIC.

Step 1. Discussion before the OPM

        A formal proposal paper must be submitted to the SIG mailing
        list and to the SIG Chair four weeks before the start of the
        OPM.

        The proposal must be in text which clearly expresses the
        proposal, with explicit mention of any changes being proposed to
        existing policies and the reasons for those changes.

        The APNIC Secretariat will recommend a preferred proposal
        format.

        If the four-week deadline is not met, proposals may still be
        submitted and presented for discussion at the meeting; however,
        no decision may be made by the meeting regarding the proposal.
        The proposal will need to be resubmitted in time for the
        following meeting if the author wishes to pursue the proposal.


Step 2. Consensus at the OPM

        Consensus is defined as "general agreement" as observed by the
        Chair of the meeting.

        Consensus must be reached first at the SIG session and
        afterwards at the Member Meeting for the process to continue. If
        there is no consensus on a proposal at either of these forums,
        the SIG (either on the mailing list or at a future OPM) will
        discuss whether to amend the proposal or to withdraw it.


Step 3. Discussion after the OPM

        Proposals that have reached consensus at the OPM and the AMM
        will be circulated on the appropriate SIG mailing list for a
        period. This is known as the "comment period".

        The duration of the "comment period" will be not shorter than
        four weeks and not longer than eight weeks.  The decision to
        extend more than four weeks, including the duration of the
        extension, will be determined at the sole discretion of the SIG
        Chair.


Step 4. Confirming consensus

        Consensus is assumed to continue unless there are substantial
        objections raised during the "comment period". When the "comment
        period" has expired, the appropriate SIG Chair (and Co-chairs)
        will decide whether the discussions on the mailing list
        represent continued consensus.

        If the Chair (and Co-chairs) observe that there are no
        "substantial objections" to the proposed policy, consensus is
        confirmed and the process continues as outlined below in Step 5.

        If it is observed that there have been "substantial objections"
        raised to the proposed policy, consensus is not confirmed and
        the proposal will not be implemented.

        The SIG will then discuss (either on the mailing list or in the
        SIG) whether to pursue the proposal or withdraw it.


Step 5. Endorsement from the EC

        The EC, in their capacity as representatives of the membership,
        will be asked to endorse the consensus proposals arising from
        the OPM and the SIG mailing lists for implementation at the next
        EC meeting. In reviewing the proposals for implementation, the
        EC may refer proposals back to the SIG for further discussion
        with clearly stated reasons.

        As per the APNIC By-laws, the EC may, at its discretion, refer
        the endorsement to a formal vote of adoption by the APNIC
        members.