IANA Logo IANA Repository of TLD IDN Practices

Registered IDN Tables

Active Tables

Overview

The IANA Repository of TLD IDN Practices was created to support the development of the IDN technology.

Specifically, as described under Guideline 3 (a) in the Guidelines for the Implementation of Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs):

In implementing the IDN standards, top-level domain registries will associate each label in a registered internationalized domain name, as it appears in their registry with a single script This restriction is intended to limit the set of permitted characters within a label. If greater specificity is needed, the association may be made by combining descriptors for both language and script. Alternatively, a label may be associated with a set of languages, or with more than one designator under the conditions described below.

In addition to making the IDN Tables publicly available on TLD registry websites, the TLD registries (TLD Sponsors, gTLD and ccTLD Registry Operators) may register IDN Tables with the IANA, which in turn will display them online for public access.

The IANA Repository of TLD IDN Practices will not maintain the content of the IDN Tables and is hence not responsible for their accuracy. The sole purpose of the IANA Repository is to enable registrations of IDN Tables, and to subsequently make these available to the general public. In essence, if a TLD registry believes that a IDN Table is useful and should be registered, then it may be registered with the IANA through the procedures described herein.

For further details on IDNs see RFC 3743, the Joint Engineering Team (JET) Guidelines for Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) Registration and Administration for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean; and RFC 4290, Suggested Practices for Registration of Internationalized Domain Names (IDN) .

IDN Table Requirements

An IDN Table must contain the following elements:

  • TLD Registry (for example, name of Registry Operator or the TLD)
  • Script or Language Designator (Language Designators are defined in BCP 47)
  • Revision Control (table version number) supplied by the Registry
  • Effective Date (DD Month YYYY)
  • Registry Contact Details (For example, contact name, email address, and/or phone number)

IDN Tables are encouraged to be submitted in a standards based format. There are no other format requirements. For convenience, the IANA has provided a template that registries can use to prepare their submission. Use of this template is strictly optional, but will greatly assist the IANA staff to expedite publication.

Registration Process

All TLD registries can apply for registration of an IDN Table.

Submission Authority: The IANA will only accept applications that are submitted by the Administrative Contact associated with a TLD registry.

Submission Process: Language Table registration requests must include all necessary elements and be submitted to IANA at the email address idn-tables&iana.org. A confirmation email will be returned to the Administrative Contact with a ticket number confirming the receipt of the email.

After a maximum of five (5) business days the Administrative Contact will receive either: (i) a confirmation email for the IDN Table, or (ii) if the IDN Table does not contain all of the elements necessary for registration the Administrative Contact will receive an email with a description of why the application was denied and what additional elements are required.

An IDN table can be replaced by the registry that initially submitted the registration, either to reflect improved understanding or to deprecate various characteristics.

Revision Process: New versions of existing IDN Tables can only be requested by the authority that initially submitted the application for that existing IDN Table. A request for a new version of an IDN Table must include an explanation of why the request is being made. This explanation, together with a date and identity of the applicant, will be added to the language for the deprecated language table, after which it will be moved to the archive mentioned below.

After a maximum of five (5) business days the Administrative Contact will receive either: (i) a confirmation email for the revision request for the IDN Table, or (ii) if the revised IDN Table does not contain all of the elements necessary for registration the Administrative Contact will receive an email with a description of why the revision application was denied and what additional elements are required.

In addition, a complete set of tables is maintained for historical and archival purposes. To see that list click here.


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Page Updated 26-May-2006
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