-----Original Message-----
However, as far as I know, to date there has never been a discussion about it, and in my mind, there MUST be an authorization function in place for all significant changes in IANA operations prior to the transition.
Do you mean names IANA? It will help the discussion stay focused if you specify which IANA function you are talking about at all times.
an authorization function in place for all significant changes in IANA operations prior to the transition.
This strikes me as a massive overstatement of what was intended. PTI will be in charge of names-IANA operations. It can change its operations at will as long as it performs the functions its customers want it to perform efficiently and effectively. The Standing committee will continually monitor and review its operations and it will be subject to IFRs. The "significant changes" this committee was supposed to be concerned with were those that went beyond names-IANA operations and involved a need to coordinate with a number of other players: the RZM, the root server operators, perhaps other IFOs. I agree with Chuck that this committee was never intended to "approve" or "authorize" anything the way that NTIA "authorized" root zone file changes. It was intended to provide a platform for cooperation and coordination around major re-configurations of NAMES root zone process.