RFC Editor Model (Version 3)

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Publisher: IETF
Doc Type: Informational
Pages: 33
Abstract: This document specifies version 3 of the RFC Editor Model. The model defines two high-level tasks related to the RFC Series. First, policy definition is the joint responsibility of the RFC Series Working Group (RSWG), which produces policy proposals, and the RFC Series Approval Board (RSAB), which approves such proposals. Second, policy implementation is primarily the responsibility of the RFC Production Center (RPC) as contractually overseen by the IETF Administration Limited Liability Company (IETF LLC). In addition, various responsibilities of the RFC Editor function are now performed alone or in combination by the RSWG, RSAB, RPC, RFC Series Consulting Editor (RSCE), and IETF LLC. Finally, this document specifies the Editorial Stream for publication of future policy definition documents produced through the processes defined herein. Since the publication of RFC 9280, lessons have been learned about implementing this model. This document lists some of those lessons learned and updates RFC 9280 based on that experience. This document obsoletes RFC 9280. This document updates RFCs 7841, 7991, 7992, 7993, 7994, 7995, 7996, 7997, 8729, 8730, and 9720.
Publication Date: 2026-02-01
Status Note: Informational
DOI: 10.17487/RFC9920
Link: https://doi.org/10.17487/RFC9920
Author(s): Paul E. Hoffman
Alexis Rossi
Keyword(s): RFC Series, RSWG, RFC Editor, RPC

Latest version of IETF RFC 9920

Document Versions — IETF RFC 9920

▶ IETF RFC 9920 (2026-02-01)

THIS DOC [ACTIVE] [LATEST VERSION]

Normative Reference(s)

IETF RFC 2026 [Active*]
IETF RFC 2119 [Active*]
IETF RFC 2418 [Active*]
IETF RFC 5378 [Active*]
RFC7154 — RFC7154 EXTERNAL
IETF RFC 7322 [Active*]
IETF RFC 7776 [Active*]
IETF RFC 7841 [Active*]
IETF RFC 7991 [Active*]
RFC7992 — RFC7992 EXTERNAL
RFC7993 — RFC7993 EXTERNAL
RFC7994 — RFC7994 EXTERNAL
RFC7995 — RFC7995 EXTERNAL
RFC7996 — RFC7996 EXTERNAL
IETF RFC 7997 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8174 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8179 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8711 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8716 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8729 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8730 [Active*]
IETF RFC 9280 [Superseded*]
RFC9720 — RFC9720 EXTERNAL

Bibliographic Reference(s)

RFC Editor, "Style Guide", <https://www.rfc-editor.org/styleguide/>. EXTERNAL
IETF RFC 2850 [Active*]
IETF RFC 3935 [Active*]
RFC5620 — RFC5620 EXTERNAL
IETF RFC 6635 [Superseded*]
IETF RFC 8700 [Active*]
IETF RFC 8728 [Superseded*]
RFC8874 — RFC8874 EXTERNAL
IETF RFC 9283 [Active*]
RFC9896 — RFC9896 EXTERNAL

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