Explanatory note

This Order is the fifth appointed day order made under the Digital Economy Act 2010 (c. 24) (“the Act”). Sections 19-21 of the Act amend the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) by inserting sections 124O to 124R.

Section 124O of the Communications Act 2003 makes provision for the Secretary of State to notify qualifying internet domain registries of failures to comply with prescribed requirements relating to the misuse and abuse of UK-related internet domain names and prescribed requirements relating to complaints procedures. Sections 124P and 124Q make provision for the Secretary of State to appoint a manager of a qualifying internet domain registry where there has been a serious failure by the registry to comply with the prescribed requirements. Section 124R makes provision for the Secretary of State to be able to apply to the court to amend a qualifying internet domain registry’s articles of association, or similar documents, where there has been a serious failure by the registry to comply with the prescribed requirements.

Article 2 brings section 19 of the Act into force on 17th July 2023 for the purposes of consulting on and then making regulations under section 124O of the Communications Act 2003 to set out the prescribed requirements. Article 3 brings into force sections 19 (to the extent that it is not already in force), 20 and 21 of the Act on 6th April 2024.

An impact assessment has not been published for this Order as it has no impact on the costs to business or the voluntary sector independent of the provisions this Order brings into force.