Dear SIG members,

The proposal "prop-145: Single Source for Definitions" has been sent to 
the Policy SIG for review.

It will be presented at the Open Policy Meeting (OPM) at APNIC 54 on 
Thursday, 15 September 2022.

    https://conference.apnic.net/54/program/schedule/#/day/8

We invite you to review and comment on the proposal on the mailing list 
before the OPM.

The comment period on the mailing list before the OPM is an important 
part of the Policy Development Process (PDP). We encourage you to 
express your views on the proposal:

  - Do you support or oppose this proposal?
  - Does this proposal solve a problem you are experiencing? If so,
    tell the community about your situation.
  - Do you see any disadvantages in this proposal?
  - Is there anything in the proposal that is not clear?
  - What changes could be made to this proposal to make it more effective?

Information about this proposal is appended below as well as available at:

    http://www.apnic.net/policy/proposals/prop-145

Regards,
Bertrand, Shaila, and Ching-Heng
APNIC Policy SIG Chairs



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prop-145-v001: Single Source for Definitions

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Proposer: Anupam Agrawal (anupamagrawal.in@gmail.com)


1. Problem statement
--------------------
The definitions of the terms used across APNIC policy documents are scattered across documents. One can find definitions of terms in APNIC 127, APNIC 126 (APNIC and NIR Member Relationship Agreement,  APNIC 128 (SIG Guidelines), APNIC 114 (ipv6 guidelines) and others. There is lack of consistency in the definitions which leads to different interpretations and confusions. Example - End site is defined in APNIC 127 and in APNIC 114 with the definition in APNIC 114 referring to APNIC 127 along with examples but the same is not referred in APNIC 127. 


2. Objective of policy change
-----------------------------
The objective is to have a single definition document used across APNIC for consistent use and interpretation of terms across APNIC policy documents. 


3. Situation in other regions
-----------------------------
It was looked into RIRs. Some regions do not have specific definition section in Policy documents.


4. Proposed policy solution
---------------------------
There do exist a APNIC document numbered APNIC 080 titled APNIC Definition Document. The proposal is to move the terms defined in all policy documents to APNIC 080 document and make it as single repository of definitions and all documents be referred to APNIC 080 for definitions. In this process, where there are multiple definitions for a single terms, the definitions be rationalized to have one single definition of the term. 


5. Advantages / Disadvantages
-----------------------------
Advantages:
There will be a better consistency and reduction of repetition which is essential for efficient delivery of instructions in policy documents and interpretations of terms.

Disadvantages:
There is no perceived disadvantage of the proposal. However, this will entail revision of many other documents. 


6. Impact on resource holders
-----------------------------
None.


7. References
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None.