The Number Resource Organization Executive Council (NRO EC), acting in relation to the Address Supporting Organization’s role as a Decisional Participant in the ICANN Empowered Community, has considered the ICANN Board-approved Fundamental Bylaws Amendments to Articles 17 and 18 of the ICANN Bylaws.
This decision follows the previous notices published on the NRO website regarding this Approval Action process:
- Notice to the ASO Community on the Approval Action Community Forum on Board Approval of Fundamental Bylaws Amendments to Articles 17 and 18 of the ICANN Bylaws
https://www.nro.net/notice-to-the-aso-community-on-approval-action-community-forum-on-board-approval-of-fundamental-bylaws-amendments-to-articles-17-and-18-of-the-icann-bylaws/ - Follow-up Notice to the ASO Community on the Approval Action Decision Period for Fundamental Bylaws Amendments to Articles 17 and 18 of the ICANN Bylaws
https://www.nro.net/follow-up-notice-to-the-aso-community-on-the-approval-action-decision-period-for-fundamental-bylaws-amendments-to-articles-17-and-18-of-the-icann-bylaws/
The Approval Action Community Forum was held during ICANN 86. Following the Community Forum, the Approval Action Decision Period began and concluded at 23:59 PST on Thursday, 2 July 2026.
The amendments were approved by the ICANN Board on 3 May 2026. They relate to the governance and review mechanisms associated with the IANA naming function, specifically the Customer Standing Committee (CSC) under Article 17 and the IANA Naming Function Reviews (IFRs) under Article 18.
The Article 17 amendments update the governance and operating rules of the CSC, including the introduction of alternate CSC members and alternate liaisons, the movement of certain operational details from the ICANN Bylaws to the CSC Charter, and the extension of the regular CSC effectiveness review cycle from three years to five years. Article 17 continues to provide that the ASO/NRO may appoint a liaison to the CSC; however, the CSC’s role remains focused on the IANA naming function and outside the scope of Internet number resources.
The Article 18 amendment adjusts how the five-year cycle for future IANA Naming Function Reviews is calculated. Under the approved amendment, the cycle will begin when the previous IFR team submits its final report to the ICANN Board, rather than when the previous review team was first convened. The amendment does not change the purpose, scope, composition, or powers of the IFR.
The RIR community was informed of the Approval Action Community Forum through the first notice and was subsequently invited to provide comments during the Approval Action Decision Period through the follow-up notice.
After reviewing the amendments and considering the absence of any substantive concerns from the RIR community, the NRO EC determined that the amendments do not create any new obligation or operational impact for the ASO, the NRO, the Regional Internet Registries, or the Internet number resources community.
Accordingly, in accordance with the ASO Procedure for Empowered Community Approval Actions, the NRO EC has determined that the ASO will support the Approval Action concerning the Fundamental Bylaws Amendments to Articles 17 and 18 of the ICANN Bylaws.
The ASO EC Administration Representative notified the ICANN Empowered Community Administration of the ASO’s decision.
Relevant documents:
ICANN Board resolutions, 3 May 2026
https://www.icann.org/en/board-activities-and-meetings/materials/approved-resolutions-regular-meeting-of-the-icann-board-03-05-2026-en
Proposed updates to Article 17 — Customer Standing Committee
https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/governance/proposed-updates-to-article-17-csc-11-02-2026-en.pdf
Proposed updates to Article 18 — IANA Naming Function Reviews
https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/governance/proposed-updates-to-article-18-ifr-redline-11-02-2026-en.pdf
ASO Procedure for Empowered Community Approval Actions
https://www.nro.net/accountability/aso-and-icann-accountability/icann-empowered-community/aso-procedures-for-icann-empowered-community-powers/
Last modified on 07/07/2026