1. DIVISIONS OF THE NAMING ZONE

1. The ".fr" naming zone is broken down into the following categories:

The "Public Domain"

This domain name category is directly organised and administered by the AFNIC.

It consists of the following extensions: ".fr", ".asso.fr", ".com.fr", ".nom.fr", ".prd.fr", ".presse.fr" and ".tm.fr".

This category is regulated according to the terms of the present Charter.

The "Sector-based Domain"

This domain name category identifies sectors of professional activity, and gives them a uniform structure.

It corresponds to sectors of activity regulated by a particular authority (e.g. professional associations, regulatory bodies, etc.).

This category of domain names is organised at the request of the relevant authority, which draws up naming regulations for its sector and submits them for the AFNIC's approval.

Once the naming regulations are approved, domain names in the sector are administered by the AFNIC according to the present Naming Charter and the relevant naming regulations.

Whenever a request is received, the AFNIC, with the relevant authorities in the regulated activity sectors, will examine the possibility of creating one or more sector-based domains.

"Naming Conventions"
This domain name category corresponds to domain names created in a common format for bodies in a single non-regulated sector of activity.

It is organised and administered by the AFNIC under the conditions set out in the present Charter.

Naming conventions are set up by the AFNIC as required.

2. Note: All these categories are likely to evolve and others are likely to be created.

2. GENERAL ORGANISATION


3. Any administrative operation on a domain name depends on supporting documentation and/or information, as specified in the present Charter, being submitted, with the possibility of regional or local variations in regulations.

4. As long as the domain name is in operation, the requesting body exercising the right to use the name must be able to prove that it adheres to the provisions in the present Naming Charter. In the event that, on receipt of a request for an administrative operation, the AFNIC becomes aware that one of the requesting body's domain names is no longer justified by supporting documentation, the request will go no further until the future of the domain name has been established (submission of supporting documentation or removal).

5. Certain terms may not be attributed as domain names, even if the request complies perfectly with the criteria mentioned above. These include the basic terms that are banned:

• relating to public order and decency,
• relating to the operation of the Internet,
• names of international organisations and countries that are signatories to the Paris Convention.

6. The same applies to the name France, the names reserved for French territorial organisations, and the names of regulated professions and titles (singular and plural), except those authorised in the present Charter. A non-exhaustive list is available on-line here.

7. Taking developments into account, the AFNIC reserves the right to take or reclaim possession of any domain name including a basic term that is banned without compensation but allowing sufficient time to complete the changeover.

8. Rules relating to Naming Conventions and to sector-based domains take priority over rules relating to the public domain category.

3. NAMING SYNTAX

9. The following forms are allowed:

• The letters of the alphabet from "A" to "Z" (no distinction as to case), the digits from "0" to "9" and the "-" (dash) symbol exclusively;
• Domain names with a maximum length of 255 characters (63 characters between each "." or label);
• Domain names made up of:
  • at least three letters ("aaa.fr") or one letter and one digit ("z2.fr"), with a simple ".fr" extension,
  • at least two characters ("aa.tm.fr", "m2.asso.fr"), in the other public domains.
• The "." (period or full stop) as a sub-domain separator in the sector-based domain and naming convention categories.

10. The following forms are not allowed:

• Domain names made up solely of digits;
• Domain names beginning or ending with a "-" (dash);
• Accented characters.

It should be noted that only the letter will be retained in the case of accented letters (e.g. ñ and é will be registered as n and e respectively).

4. RULES APPLYING TO PUBLIC DOMAINS

For public domain names, no supporting document will be required to back up administrative operations, except for:

• ".fr" requests from operations that are not registered with the INSEE,
• requests from organisations established by law or decree,
• requests from organisations listed with professional associations,
• requests from organisations wanting to be registered under ".prd.fr".

The AFNIC reserves the right where necessary to request the submission of supporting documents in the following cases:

• regular inspections carried out at the AFNIC's discretion to monitor correct adherence to the naming charter,
• temporary or permanent loss of access to the databases enabling supporting documents to be verified,
• inconsistencies in the information retrieved by the AFNIC from these databases.

In the case of inspections carried out after the creation of a domain name, the ISP must submit the supporting documents within a period of at most 72 hours, after which time the domain name will be blocked.

11. The supporting documents required for carrying out an administrative operation on a domain name with a public domain extension in the ".fr" naming zone are described below:

12. The following rules govern the conditions for attributing domain names throughout the ".fr" naming zone, except for the ".com.fr" extension.

13. Abbreviations, shortened forms or other adaptations are possible, as are adding a term, which must be in French, such as Conseil (consulting), Agence (agency), Société (company), Groupe (group), Entreprise (business), in order to qualify the activity or domain name of the requesting body or in a case where a name has already been claimed. Such adaptations are only possible if they are justified according to the documents supplied in application of the present Charter.

14. The requesting body may obtain an unlimited number of domain names, as long as they are justified with regard to the Charter.

15. Where the supporting document is a K Bis extract or an INSEE identification, the requesting body may choose the name from among the following categories: corporate name, initials, shop sign and trading name. The same applies for supporting documents relating to other public domain extensions.

16. For domain names ending in ".fr" created on the basis of a definitive certificate approved by the INPI, the domain name must correspond precisely to the term on the certificate, within the framework of the syntax rules given in the Charter.

17. In the case of homonyms, the second trademark can only be registered in the ".tm.fr" domain - it will not be possible to add a distinctive element to obtain a ".fr" name.

18. The attribution of a domain name implies the responsibility of the requesting body, which must only register genuine parts of its organisation as sub-domains (e.g. it would be very ill-advised to register a name such as "companyB.companyA.fr").

19. Similarly, we strongly recommend that regional branches, subsidiaries, divisions, etc. of a single organisation be grouped together within the organisation's structure (e.g. "branch.company.fr", "subsidiary.group.fr").

SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE ".COM.FR" EXTENSION

22. The registration can only proceed if the name has not already been identically recorded under one of the public domain extensions.

23. Registering a name with the ".com.fr" extension does not prevent a requesting body from registering the same name under another public domain extension at a later date.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE ".NOM.FR" EXTENSION

24. The domain name of a natural person observes the following syntax: "patronymic.nom.fr", and/or "patronymic-freefield.nom.fr".

25. The patronymic corresponds to the surname, maiden name or pseudonym as it appears on the supplied proof of identity.

26. Anyone registering a name under the ".nom.fr" extension may request to take up the so-called "Ex-directory" option.

27. When the "Ex-directory" option is activated, no personal information (name, address, telephone or fax number, email address if applicable) can be accessed from the public database Whois. The only information that will appear in the database will be of a technical nature, such as technical contact details and details of the ISP and DNS servers.

SPECIFIC RULES FOR THE ".ASSO.FR" EXTENSION

28. Associations with an APE 911, 912, 80 or 74 code may register a name under the ".fr" extension if they wish. This option does not preclude a registration under the ".asso.fr" extension. Associations must provide a copy of their identification in the corresponding INSEE directory.

29. Associations may request a domain name corresponding to their initials, as long as the name is the exact acronym of their full name.

30. Associations may also request a domain name based on their trading name, as long as it is mentioned in the supporting documents.

5. RULES APPLYING TO SECTOR-BASED DOMAINS

31. The procedures applicable to each sector-based domain are defined in the corresponding naming regulations, available from any of the competent authorities listed on the AFNIC website.

6.SPECIFIC RULES FOR NAMING CONVENTIONS

32. Requesting bodies concerned by the conventions below may obtain an unlimited number of domains, as long as they keep the common registered root identifying them.

Académies (education authorities): registration format: ac-name.fr (where "name" is the authority), e.g. ac-lyon.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied. (Secondary schools and junior high schools are registered as sub-domains of the corresponding education authorities, but private establishments not funded by an authority are registered directly under the ".fr" extension).

Ambassades (embassies): registration format: amb-name.fr (where "name" is the name of a city or country), e.g. amb-wash.fr (French embassy in Washington). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied, or, failing that, a letter on embassy headed notepaper signed by the ambassador.

Assistance publique (public welfare): registration format: ap-name.fr (where "name" is a town), e.g. ap-hop-paris.fr (Hospitals of the City of Paris). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Bibliothèques municipales (municipal libraries): registration format: bm-name.fr (where "name" is a town), e.g. bm-lyon.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Bovin de Croissance (cattle growth): naming convention set up by the Fédération Bovins Croissance (cattle growth federation). Registration format: department-bovins-croissance.fr (where "department" is the name of the department). E.g. creuse-bovins-croissance.fr (Creuse cattle growth union). An identification from the INSEE directory or other proof must be supplied.

Caisses d'allocations familiales (family benefit organisations): domain subject to the authority of the Caisse Nationale d'Allocations Familiales (CNAF) (national family benefits fund). Registered under .caf.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Caisses régionales d'assurance maladie des artisans et commerçants (regional self-employed workers' health fund): domain subject to the authority of the Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladies des Professions Indépendantes (national health insurance fund for independent professions). Registration format: canam.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Caisses d'Epargne (bank): domain subject to the authority of the Centre National des Caisses d'Epargne (CENCEP) (national Caisses d'Epargne centre). Registration format: caisse-epargne.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Centres d'économie rurale (rural economy centres): registration format: cerxx.asso.fr (where "xx" is the number of the department). An identification from the INSEE directory, certificate of declaration from the préfecture or copy of the appearance in the Official Journal must be supplied.

Centres hospitaliers (hospitals): registration format: chu-xx.fr or chru-xx.fr or ch-xx.fr or hopital-xx.fr (where "xx" is the name of the town or of the hospital). E.g. chu-rouen.fr (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen - University Hospital of Rouen). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Centres régionaux de la propriété forestière (regional forest estates centres): domain subject to the authority of the Centre Régional de la Propriété forestière d'Alsace Lorraine (regional forest estates centre of Alsace-Lorraine). Registration format: crpf.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Chambres des Métiers (chambers of trade): registration format: cm-name.fr (where "name" is a town). e.g. cm-annecy.fr (Chambre des métiers de Haute Savoie - chamber of trade of Haute Savoie). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Comités départementaux du tourisme (department tourism committees): registration format: cdt-name.fr and/or cdt-tourisme-name.fr (where "name" is a department). E.g. cdt-vaucluse.fr (Comité Départemental du Tourisme du Vaucluse - Vaucluse department tourism committee). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Comités régionaux du tourisme (regional tourism committees): registration format: crt-name.fr (where "name" is a region). E.g. crt-aquitaine.fr (Aquitaine region tourism committee). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Communautés d'agglomérations (urban area communities, previously called districts): registration format: agglo-name.fr (where "name" is the urban community). E.g. agglo-montbeliard.fr (Communauté d'Agglomérations du pays de Montbeliard - urban community of Montbeliard). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Communautés de communes (communities of municipalities): registration format: cc-name.fr (where "name" has been officially declared). E.g. cc-confolentais.fr (community of Confolentais municipalities). A K Bis extract or identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Confédération de l'Artisanat et des Petites Entreprises du Bâtiment (confederation of small building firms and craftsmen): naming convention set up by the Confédération de l'artisanat et des petites entreprises du bâtiment. Registration format: three domain names, one of which must be capeb-xx.fr (where "xx" is the name of the department or region). If several entities exists within a single department, xx is the name of the town where the structure is located rather than the department number). Other domain names must keep the root capeb, e.g. capeb-ain.fr/capeb01.fr (Confédération de l'Ain). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Conseils généraux (department councils): registration format: cgxx.fr and/or cg-xx.fr and/or xx.fr (where "xx" is the number or name of the department). E.g. cg23.fr/creuse.fr/cg-creuse.fr (Conseil Général de la Creuse). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied. Note: "departmentnumber.fr" cannot be registered.

Conseils régionaux (regional councils): registration format: crxx.fr and/or cr-xx.fr and/or xx.fr(where "xx" is the name of the region). E.g. cr-aquitaine.fr, aquitaine.fr , craquitaine.fr (Conseil Régional d'Aquitaine). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Consulates: registration format: consulnameofcountry-nameoftown.fr (for foreign consulates in France) and consulfrance-nameoftown.fr (for French consulates abroad). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied, or, failing this, a letter on Consulate headed paper signed by the Consul.

Contrôle laitier (dairy checks): naming convention set up by the Fédération de Contrôle Laitier (dairy inspection federation). Registration format: departement-controle-laitier.fr (where "departement" is the name of the department). E.g. calvados-controle-laitier.fr (Syndicat d'Elevage du contrôle laitier du Calvados - Calvados farmers' dairy inspection union). An identification from the INSEE direction or other proof must be supplied.

Crédit Agricole (bank): naming convention set up by the Caisse Nationale du Crédit Agricole. 3 domain names; registration format for Crédit Agricole branches and subsidiaries: ca-name.fr, + 2 other domains depending on the supporting documentation (where "name" is the name of the branch). E.g. ca-alsace.fr. A K Bis extract or an identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Districts (former name for communautés d'agglomérations): registration format: district-xxx.fr (where "xxx" is the name of the district or town). E.g. district-parthenay.fr or district-vernon.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Ecoles d'agriculture (agricultural schools): public colleges are registered as sub-domains of educagri.fr. E.g. esa-angers.educagri.fr. Requests should be made directly to the administrative manager for the educagri.fr domain.

Ecoles régionales des beaux-arts (regional art colleges): registration format: erba-name.fr (where "name" is a town). E.g. erba-rennes.fr (Ecoles Régionales des Beaux-Arts de Rennes - regional art college of Rennes). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (national federation of cancer research centres): domain subject to the authority of the Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre Le Cancer. Registration under fnclcc.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Fédération départementale des syndicats d'exploitants agricoles (department federation of agricultural operator unions): naming convention set up by the Fédération nationale des syndicats d'exploitants agricoles. Registration format: fdseaxx.fr (where "xx" is the department number). E.g. fdsea51.fr (Marne department federation).

Fédération départementale et régionale du Bâtiment, unions et syndicats nationaux (department and regional building federation, national trade unions): naming convention set up by the Fédération Française du batiment (French building federation). Registration format: ffbatiment-xx.fr (where "xx" is the department number), ffbatiment-region.fr (where "region" is the name of the region, in full or abbreviated), ffbatiment-union.fr (where "union" is the name or initials of the trade union).

Greta: Registration format: name.greta.fr (where "name" is the official name, initials or trading name of the organisation), e.g. gts93.greta.fr (greta tertiaire sud 93 - southern tertiary greta 93). This convention is subject to the authority of the AFNIC.

Groupama and Crama: registration format: groupama-name.fr (where "name" is spelt in full, in initials or abbreviated). E.g. groupama-ca.fr or groupama-centre-atlantique.fr for the Centre Atlantique Groupama; groupama-normandie.fr for the Normandy Crama. A K Bis extract or identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Instituts Universitaires de Formation des Maîtres (university teacher training institutes): domain subject to the authority of the Institut Universitaire des Maîtres de Paris (Paris university teacher training institute). Registration format: iufm.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (university technology institutes): registration format:: iut-name.fr (where "name" is the name of a town). E.g. iut-lannion.fr. It is recommended that IUTs be included in the hierarchy of the university of which they are part, e.g. iut.univ-aix.fr rather than iut-aix.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Mairies et Villes (towns and town halls): registration format: mairie-xx.fr and/or ville-xx.fr and/or xx.fr (where "xx" is the name of a town). E.g. mairie-metz.fr, ville-metz.fr, metz.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied. Note:
-for localities with the same name, the department number will be added as a matter of course.
-the department number may be added to all or part of the locality name on request, as long as two localities with the same name do not exist within one department.
- A company holding a trademark registered before 1985 can obtain a domain name corresponding to the name of a town. E.g. evian.fr for the Evian company.

Offices de tourisme (tourist offices): registration format: ot-name.fr (where "name" is a town). E.g. ot-avignon.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Offices de tourisme étrangers (foreign tourist offices): registration format: name-tourisme.fr (where "name" is the name of the country in French). E.g. italie-tourisme.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Technopoles (technology hubs): registration format: tech-name.fr (where "name" is a town). E..g. tech-quimper.fr. An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.

Unions des associations des familles (unions of family associations): domain subject to the authority of the Fédération des Unions des Associations des Familles (federation of family association unions). Registration under unaf.fr. Contact the administration manager for the zone.

Universités (universities): registration format: univ-name.fr or u-name.fr (where "name" is the name of the university, often tied to a city). E.g. univ-rennes1.fr (University of Rennes 1), u-grenoble3.fr (University of Grenoble 3). An identification from the INSEE directory must be supplied.