About Public Comment
Logo
ICANN
ICANN
Filtered Search

Are you sure you want to sign out from http://www.icann.org?

If you want to sign out from both http://www.icann.org and ICANN Account, click here.

Public Comment

Public Comment is a vital part of our multistakeholder model. It provides a mechanism for stakeholders to have their opinions and recommendations formally and publicly documented. It is an opportunity for the ICANN community to effect change and improve policies and operations.

About Public Comment

What is Public Comment?

Public Comment gives the ICANN community, Internet stakeholders, and the general public an opportunity to provide input on ICANN'S work and policies. It is a vital part of our multistakeholder model and contributes to our transparency and accountability commitments.

Explore the Public Comment Process Infographic

Public Comment at ICANN

What is Public Comment?

Public Comment gives the ICANN community, Internet stakeholders, and the public an opportunity to provide input on ICANN’s work and policies.

It is a vital part of our multistakeholder model, and contributes to our transparency and accountability commitments.

How Does It Work?

  1. Proceeding Opens
  • A proceeding is the process for gathering input on topics like policy and review recommendations, governance documents, and registry agreements.
  • The ICANN Board, Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, or ICANN organization (org) can open proceedings.
  • Proceedings are open for a minimum of 40 days with exceptions.
  1. Stakeholders Give Input
  • Read the proposal and determine whether you are impacted.
  • Relevant resources are available on the proceeding webpage.
  • Anyone can make a submission including: ICANN community groups, governments, civil society, corporations, the technical community, and individual end users.
  • Submissions may agree or disagree with the proposal or suggest improvements.
  • All submissions are public.
  1. Proceeding Closes
  • ICANN org has at least 14 days to review submissions.
  1. Summary Report
  • ICANN org summarizes submissions and identifies themes into a published report.
  1. Your Impact
  • The group that opened the proceeding reviews the submissions and summary report, addresses the input, and proposes next steps.

Get Involved!

Read more about ICANN’s Public Comment, and the open and upcoming proceedings by visiting: https://icann.org/en/public-comment.

Have a question? Email us at: [email protected].

 

What is Public Comment? Public Comment gives the ICANN community, Internet stakeholders, and the public an opportunity to provide input on ICANN’s work and policies. It is a vital part of our multistakeholder model, and contributes to our transparency and accountability commitments. How does it work? Click to open the full PDF.

How does Public Comment work?

The ICANN Board, Supporting Organizations, Advisory Committees, or ICANN organization (org) can open a Public Comment proceeding, outlining specific issues or questions for feedback. Stakeholders provide opinions and recommendations, and their submissions are public and archived. ICANN org summarizes the submissions and identifies common themes in a summary report. The group that opened the proceeding, reviews the submissions and summary report, addresses the input, and proposes next steps.

ICANN may seek Public Comment on a variety of topics, including but not limited to:

  • ICANN org or community governance documents such as the ICANN Bylaws; strategic, operating, and financial plans; budgets; and community charters.
  • Policy recommendations including reports of potential, ongoing, and completed policy development processes.
  • Recommendations from Organizational and Specific Reviews.
  • Implementation plans for approved Consensus Policy recommendations.
  • Cross-community working group recommendations.
  • ICANN base agreements with registry operators and registrars.

How do I make a Public Comment submission?

Your participation is important. Learn more about how to make a Public Comment submission and track your previous submissions by reading this helpful guide.

Public Comment Transparency

All Public Comment submissions, including the name and contact information of the submitter, are public and archived. All submissions must adhere to the ICANN Expected Standards of Behavior and are subject to the ICANN Terms of Service.

What are benefits of Public Comment?

The Public Comment process reflects diverse viewpoints and expertise, helping to strengthen and refine proposals. Transparent and accountable proceedings help reinforce the legitimacy of the outcomes. Public Comment is an example of the multistakeholder model in action.