RAA Re-authorisation request

RAA stands for Registration Authorization Agreement, which is a contractual agreement between a domain name registrar and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The RAA sets forth the terms and conditions that the registrar must comply with in order to maintain accreditation and continue providing domain registration services.

The RAA Re-authorisation Request refers to the process by which a domain registrar submits a request to ICANN for the renewal or re-authorisation of their accreditation. This request is typically made at the end of the registrar's current accreditation term, which is usually a period of several years.

Here is a detailed explanation of the RAA Re-authorisation Request process:

1. Expiration of Accreditation Term: The RAA has a specific term of validity, typically three to five years. As the end of the term approaches, the registrar must start the re-authorisation process to ensure continuity of their accreditation.
2. Registrar Data Verification: Prior to submitting the re-authorisation request, the registrar needs to ensure that all their contact and registration data in the ICANN registry is accurate and up to date. This includes verifying administrative, technical, and billing contacts, as well as the accuracy of domain registration data.
3. RAA Re-authorisation Request: The registrar submits a formal request to ICANN for the renewal or re-authorisation of their accreditation. This request is usually done through an online portal provided by ICANN and requires the registrar to provide certain information and documentation.
4. Compliance Assessment: ICANN reviews the re-authorisation request and conducts a compliance assessment to ensure that the registrar continues to meet the requirements and obligations outlined in the RAA. This assessment may involve a review of the registrar's operational and technical capabilities, financial standing, customer support, and adherence to ICANN's policies and procedures.
5. Remediation and Additional Information: If any deficiencies or non-compliance issues are identified during the compliance assessment, ICANN may request the registrar to provide additional information or take corrective actions to address the concerns. The registrar must cooperate with ICANN and provide the necessary documentation or evidence to demonstrate their compliance.
6. Contractual Amendments: In some cases, ICANN may propose amendments or updates to the RAA based on changes in policies or industry standards. The registrar may be required to accept these amendments as part of the re-authorisation process.
7. Re-authorisation Decision: After the compliance assessment and any necessary remediation, ICANN makes a decision on the re-authorisation request. If the registrar is found to be in compliance with the RAA and meets all the necessary requirements, their accreditation is renewed, and they can continue offering domain registration services. If there are significant compliance issues or the registrar fails to meet the requirements, ICANN may choose to deny the re-authorisation request, resulting in the termination of the registrar's accreditation.

It is important to note that the re-authorisation process may vary slightly depending on changes in ICANN's policies and procedures. Registrars should always refer to the most up-to-date guidelines and requirements provided by ICANN when going through the RAA re-authorisation process.