RFC Editor Model
RFC 9920, “RFC Editor Model”, is an Informational document published in February 2026 by P. Hoffman, A. Rossi. It updates RFC 7841, RFC 7991, RFC 7992, RFC 7993, RFC 7994, RFC 7995, RFC 7996, RFC 7997, RFC 8729, RFC 8730, RFC 9720. It obsoletes RFC 9280. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.
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.
What “Informational” means
Published for the general information of the community. It does not define an IETF standard and carries no standards-track status.
The canonical text of RFC 9920 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in HTML,TXT,PDF,XML.
- RFC 9921 CBOR Object Signing and Encryption Header Parameter for Timestamp Tokens as Defined in RFC 3161
- RFC 9922 A Common YANG Data Model for Scheduling
- RFC 9917 IGP Flexible Algorithms Reverse Affinity Constraint
- RFC 9923 The FNV Non-Cryptographic Hash Algorithm
- RFC 9924 Advanced Professional Video
- RFC 9915 Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6
- RFC 9925 Unsigned X.509 Certificates
- RFC 9914 Root-Initiated Routing State in the Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks