Selecting your tag type

The Registry-Registrar Agreement (RRA) incorporates three tag types for registrars to choose from depending on who their customers are, the types of service and service levels they work to and the benefits that are most useful to them.

The tag types are:

  • Accredited Channel Partner
  • Channel Partner
  • Self-Managed

Registrars may have one or more tags of different types in order to manage their business.

What do I need to do?

The information below will help you select the right tag type for your tags.

You may hold multiple Accredited Channel Partner and Channel Partner tags, but only one Self-Managed tag.

You can apply to change the classification for your tag through Online Services.

Applying for an additional Tag

When deciding which tag type best suits you it may be that two tag types fit your business model. In this case you may wish to apply for an additional tag. To do this, log into Online Services, select Apply for services and then select Apply for an additional domain tag.

Tag types

Accredited Channel Partner tag

For registrars who register and manage domains on behalf of third parties and wish to be recognised and receive benefits for meeting Nominet’s highest standard for registrars.

The key benefits of this tag classification are:

  • Access to registrant name change facility
  • Ability to opt out of automated registrant communications sent by Nominet
  • Accredited status listed on Nominet corporate website
  • Use of Nominet Accredited Registrar logo
  • Eligible to be included in the The UK Domain registrar selection tool
  • Dedicated marketing and promotional programmes

Channel Partner tag

For registrars who wish to manage domains on behalf of customers at the level of general requirements, but who do not wish to meet the highest standards required of those with an Accredited Channel Partner tag.

Self-Managed tag

For those registrars who exclusively or primarily manage their own domains, such as portfolio holders or corporate registrars.

Benefits and expectations by tag type

The following table provides a high level overview of the requirements and benefits contained within the RRA.

Customer Service

Accredited Channel Partner Channel Partner Self-Managed
Maintain a website, accessible to the public that provides:

  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Customer service commitments detailing expected response times and how long it usually takes to resolve issues
  • Email contact point for abuse complaints

Acknowledge receipt of customer contacts or complaints within 3 working days

Ensure your customers are aware of:

  • Changes for registration, renewal and maintenance
  • Any ongoing charges
  • Key terms of contract
  • Your policy on renewal and expiry of domain names
Maintain a website, accessible to the public that provides:

  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Customer Service commitments detailing expected response times and how long it usually takes to resolve issues
  • Email contact point for abuse complaints

Acknowledge receipt of customer contacts or complaints within 5 working days

Ensure your customers are aware of:

  • Charges for registration, renewal, and maintenance
  • Any ongoing charges
  • Key terms of the contract
  • Your policy on renewal and expiry of domain names
Not applicable unless providing some third party services. If providing third party services – same as Channel Partner

Data Validation

Accredited Channel Partner Channel Partner Self-Managed
Where Nominet is not able to validate data the registrar will need to take action to amend the data or confirm the data is valid Where Nominet is not able to validate data Nominet will contact the registrant. Same as Channel Partner

Functionality and Benefits

Accredited Channel Partner Channel Partner Self-Managed
On behalf of your customers you may transfer domain names to a new registrant free of charge

Ability to make corrections to registrant name

Ability to opt out of certain types of automated notifications that we currently send to your customers

Functionality to delete domains suspended for poor data quality

Ability to transfer expired domains with customers express permission

Eligible to apply to operate a Proxy Service within the Nominet Proxy Service Framework

No additional requirements Domain Names must usually be registered only in the name of the registrar. You may specify five registrant names at any one time which will be regarded as being your name. These must be linked to you in some way.

You may transfer domain names on a Self Managed tag to a new registrant free of charge.

Marketing and Communications

Accredited Channel Partner Channel Partner Self-Managed
Eligibility to apply for on-going promotional activities and programmes

Right to use the Accredited Channel Partner logo

Identified as holding Accredited Channel Partner tag on Nominet website(s)

Not Applicable Not Applicable

Restrictions

Accredited channel Partner Channel Partner Self-Managed
Multiple Accredited Channel Partner tags allowed Multiple Channel Partner tags allowed Only one Self-Managed tag per registrar

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this in more detail please contact our Customer Services team.

Minerva House, Edmund Halley Road, Oxford Science Park, OX4 4DQ, United Kingdom