Implementation and functioning of the .eu top level domain name

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the report by Fredrick FEDERLEY (ALDE, SE) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the implementation and functioning of the .eu Top Level Domain name and repealing Regulation (EC) No 733/2002 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 874/2004.

The new proposal for the.eu Top Level Domain (.eu TLD) aims to repeal existing legislation in order to ensure that the.eu TLD continues to function properly and to adapt its legal framework to the changing online environment and market. Members recalled that the .eu TLD is the eighth largest country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) and had over 3.8 million registrations in 2017.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission's proposal.

Objective: this Regulation aims to support the digital single market, building an online European identity and encouraging online cross-border activities, by promoting the competitiveness of the .eu TLD name.

According to Members, the purpose of the .eu TLD is, through good management, to help enhance the Union identity and promote Union values, such as multilingualism, respect for users’ privacy and security and respect for human rights, as well as online priorities.

Eligibility criteria: the registration of one or more domain names under the .eu TLD may be requested by:

• a Union citizen, regardless of their place of residence; or
• a third-country national residing in a Member State or in a third country which is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA);
• an undertaking established in a Member State or a third country member of the EEA;
• an organisation established in a Member State or an EEA third country, without prejudice to the applicable national law.

Registration and revocation of domain names: the Registry shall, after consulting the Commission and the .eu Multistakeholder Advisory Group adopt transparent and predictable policies in order to ensure the timely identification of any registrations. To that end, the Registry shall, where necessary, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and national computer emergency response teams (CERTs).

Where a domain name is considered by a court of a Member State, and under Union or national law, to be defamatory, racist or contrary to public policy or public security, it shall be blocked by the Registry upon notification of a court decision. The Registry shall, upon notification of such a court decision, revoke the domain name.

Domain names registered under the .eu TLD shall be transferable only to parties eligible for registration of .eu TLD names.

Registry obligations: Members specified that the registry shall:

• promote the .eu TLD across the Union and in third countries in order to ensure its competitiveness;
• comply with EU data protection legislation;
• organise, administer and manage the .eu TLD in the general public interest;
• ensure a high level quality, transparency, predictability, reliability, accessibility, efficiency and non-discrimination, as well as a level playing field and the application of consumer protection measures for .eu TLDs;
• promote the Union's objectives in Internet governance, in particular by participating in debates in international fora.

The Commission shall enter into a contract with the designated Registry. The contract shall specify the rules, policies and procedures for the provision of services by the Registry and the conditions according to which the Commission supervises the organisation, administration and management of the.eu TLD by the Registry. The contract shall be limited in time and renewable. The Commission shall also submit every three years a report on the functioning of .eu TLD name.

Members also proposed to give Parliament better control over the establishment of the criteria and procedure for designating the Register by means of delegated acts.