Welcome to ICANN Reviews
The ICANN Reviews Program encompasses the management of Specific Reviews and Organizational Reviews, including the implementation of the recommendations they generate and the ongoing work to improve the reviews process.
Specific Reviews
Specific Reviews are anchored in Article 4.6 of the ICANN Bylaws. They are conducted by community-led review teams which assess ICANN’s performance in reaching its commitments.
With exception of the Competition, Consumer Trust and Consumer Choice review that is conducted “After a New gTLD Round has been in operation for one year”, Specific Reviews are conducted “no less frequently than every five years”, measured from the date the previous review effort was convened.
These Reviews adhere to the standards and criteria documented in Operating Standards for Specific Reviews. The Operating Standards ensure that Reviews are conducted in a transparent, consistent, efficient, and predictable manner, while supporting the community’s work to derive the expected benefit and value from review processes.
New: In December 2024, a Public Comment period was issued on Proposed Updates to the Operating Standards for Specific Reviews.
| Specific Reviews | Status | Next Cycle | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountability and Transparency (ATRT) | The Third Accountability and Transparency Review (ATRT3) is complete. Implementation of Board approved recommendations is in progress. | The fourth Accountability and Transparency Review (ATRT4) was deferred in April 2024, and is scheduled for initiation in April 2025. | |
| Competition, Consumer Trust, and Consumer Choice (CCT) | The first CCT Review is complete. Implementation of Board approved recommendations is in progress. | Per ATRT3 Recommendation 3.2, one more occurrence of the CCT review is to take place. | |
| Registration Directory Service Review (RDS) | The second Registration Directory Service Review (RDS-WHOIS2) Review is complete. Implementation of Board approved recommendations is in progress. |
The third Registration Directory Service Review (RDS3) was deferred on 22 September 2022. Per the ATRT3 Recommendation 3.1, the ATRT4 is to make a determination on the future or RDS reviews. |
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| Security, Stability, and Resiliency (SSR) | The second Security, Stability and Resiliency Review (SSR2) Review is complete. Implementation of Board approved recommendations is in progress. | The third Security, Stability and Resiliency Review (SSR3) was deferred on 10 March 2022. Per the ATRT3 Recommendation 3.3, ATRT4 to make a determination on whether SSR Reviews should be "terminated, amended, or kept as is." |
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New: The ATRT3 recommended the establishment of a new Specific Review, the Holistic Review, to examine the continuous improvement, effectiveness, and accountability of the ICANN community structures as well as the collaboration among them. A Pilot Holistic Review Team was convened to develop the guidelines and methodologies for the future Holistic Review, recommended by the ATRT3.
Organizational Reviews
Organizational Reviews (ICANN Bylaws Section 4.4) assess the “effectiveness of ICANN’s supporting organizations and advisory committees. Organizational Reviews are conducted by independent examiners to assess: (i) whether that organization, council or committee has a continuing purpose in the ICANN structure; (ii) if so, whether any change in structure or operations is desirable to improve its effectiveness; (iii) whether that organization, council or committee is accountable to its constituencies, stakeholder groups, organizations and other stakeholders.” They are conducted no less frequently than every five years, based on feasibility as determined by the Board.
Refer to the Handbook and Flowchart for more information on process documentation of organizational reviews.
New: The ATRT3 made a recommendation to evolve organizational reviews into continuous improvement programs. In November 2020, the Board directed that a pilot continuous improvement program be conducted.
Recognizing the impact of the ATRT3 recommendation, the Board deferred organizational reviews in June 2021 and June 2022, and directed ICANN org to report on the status of the deferral and continued need within three years of the June 2022 resolution. Refer to the community wiki page for more information on the pilot Continuous Improvement Program.
| Organizational Review | Status | Next Cycle | Additional Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address Supporting Organization (ASO) | The second Address Supporting Organization Review (ASO2) implementation was considered complete in November 2019. | The third Address Supporting Organization Review (ASO3) was deferred on 12 June 2022. | |
| At-Large (At-Large) | The second At-Large Review (At-Large2) Review implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in September 2020. | The third ALAC/At-Large Review (ALAC3) was deferred on 12 June 2022. | |
| Country Code Names Supporting Organization (ccNSO) | The second Country Code Names Supporting Organization Review (ccNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in October 2021. | The third Country Code Names Supporting Organization Review (ccNSO3) was deferred on 12 June 2022. | |
| Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO) | The second Generic Names Supporting Organization Review (GNSO2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in January 2019. | The third Generic Names Supporting Organization Review (GNSO3) was deferred on 21 June 2021. | |
| Nominating Committee (NomCom) | The NomCom Review Implementation Working Group (NomComRIWG) submitted its fifth and Final Implementation Status Report to the Organizational Effectiveness Committee (OEC) of the ICANN Board in August 2022 for their review. | The third Nominating Committee Review (NomCom3) was deferred on 12 June 2022. | |
| Root Server System Advisory Committee (RSSAC) |
The second Root Server System Advisory Committee Review (RSSAC2) implementation was considered complete by the ICANN Board in September 2022. |
The third Root Server System Advisory Committee Review (RSSAC3) was deferred on 12 June 2022. | |
| Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) | The second Security and Stability Advisory Committee Review (SSAC2) implementation was considered complete in March 2021. | The third Security and Stability Advisory Committee Review (SSAC3) was deferred on 12 June 2022. |
Please visit the Accountability Wiki Workspace for more details.
Archived: Specific Reviews Flowchart and Handbook