Ballot 46 – Audit Report Availability Timing

Ballot overview

• Ballot 46, Audit Report Availability Timing, is marked Passed Unanimously on the ballot page.
• The motion changes Section 14.1.3, Annual Independent Audit, by replacing the requirement that audit reports MUST be made publicly available with a softer timing-based recommendation.

What the ballot changes

• Deletes the existing requirement that, for both government and commercial CAs, the audit report MUST be made publicly available.
• Inserts a new requirement that, for both government and commercial CAs, the CA SHOULD make its audit report publicly available no later than three months after the end of the audit period.
• If the delay is greater than three months and a browser supplier requests it, the CA MUST provide an explanatory letter signed by its auditor.

Timing stated on the ballot page

• The ballot review period comes into effect at 2100 UTC on 17 June 2010 and closes at 2100 UTC on 24 June 2010.
• Unless withdrawn during review, the voting period starts immediately afterward and closes at 2100 UTC on 6 July 2010.
• The motion says the change is effective immediately.

Applicability

• The text applies to both government and commercial CAs.
• The new timing language applies to publication of audit reports after the end of the audit period.
• The explanatory letter requirement applies only if the delay exceeds three months and a browser supplier requests it.