Dear IRT members,

In our recent conference call, the IRT discussed the transition of existing registration from thin to thick. It is our understanding that two alternative approaches are emerging:

Option 1 - The registries impose some checks on the registration data before it can be accepted

The initial proposal from the registries for such checks is based on EPP Standards (RFC 5733), with subsequent discussion of potential changes to such checks.
The main drawback of this approach is that the transition would likely to last a considerable amount of time due to:

The need for registrars to process a very significant amount of data (collectively) to ensure it would pass the registries’ checks
The need for Staff and the IRT to gather findings from data analysis by registrars before they can define a realistic implementation timeline, which in itself would delay the definition of the implementation plan

Option 2 - The registries do not impose any checks on the registration data during the transition

This is a proposal emerging from recent discussions, considering that the Policy Recommendation does not include data accuracy requirements and therefore is out of scope for this implementation
The benefit of this approach is that it Is in scope with the policy recommendations, it reduces the implementation to a sizable bulk transfer of data, and it creates an opportunity to possibly synchronize the transition of new and existing registrations by defining a single cut-off date after which all registrations are thick.