On 10 Mar 2004, the Communications Committee of the EU member states approved the draft text of a Commission Regulation laying down public policy rules concerning the implementation and functions of the .eu Top Level Domain and the principles governing registration (PPR). Within the next few weeks it is expected that the Commission will adopt the Regulation and publish the content.

Next steps for us:

We will conclude contractual matters with the European Commission and continue the negotiation with ICANN to have .eu put in the root.

Once the PPR are adopted and the contract with the Commission signed, we will finalise our registrar contract to reflect the requirements of the PPR and publish it on our web site in all official EU languages. By registrar we mean Internet service provider or other body involved in registering domain names on behalf of their clients Those who wish to become an accredited registrar and can comply with the agreement will be able to print and sign it for return to the registry. We estimate this to be ready by mid to late April 2004.

Soon after the PPR are adopted, we will also finalise our registrant Terms & Conditions to reflect the Public Policy Rules. This will also be published on our web site in all official EU languages. We estimate this to be ready during May.
By registrant we mean an organisation or person wishing to register their own .eu domain name through an accredited .eu registrar.

We will begin to publish important dates and procedures on our web site and alert those who have subscribed to the list by email. This will include rules and procedures for the sunrise period when those with prior rights to a name will be able to apply to register their name in advance of opening for general registration.