Updated rules for .eu top-level domain

Brussels [ENA] The EU is revising its rules on the governance of the .eu top-level domain, which is the internet domain name for the European Union and its citizens. Today's meeting of member states' ambassadors in the Permanent Representatives Committee agreed the Council's position on the proposed revision, which reflects the significant changes in the online environment since the first .eu regulation was adopted 16 years ago,

including tougher competition in the domain name space and the bigger role for the multi-stakeholder community in internet governance. The agreed text makes the governance of the .eu domain more transparent by setting up a multi-stakeholder group to advise the Commission on the implementation of the rules. It also extends the right to register a .eu domain to EU citizens living outside the EU. In addition, the Council has aligned the text with the provisions of the general data protection regulation.

With its nearly 4 million registrations, the .eu top-level domain is one of the largest international country code top-level domains (ccTLDs). It contributes to a safe and secure online environment and ensures a pan-European presence in the global digital marketplace. It has over 700 accredited registrars worldwide and a registry operator based in Belgium. The proposal under discussion is part of the digital single market strategy and the Commission's regulatory fitness (REFIT) review. Today's agreement constitutes a mandate for the presidency to start talks with the European Parliament with a view to reaching agreement on the final text. The Parliament has not agreed its position yet.