Ballot SC099: Improve Recording of Validation Method

Ballot overview (SC-099)

• Code: SC-099
• Title: Improve Recording of Validation Method
• Working group: Server Certificate Working Group
• Purpose:
  • Remove ambiguous language in Sections 3.2.2.4 and 3.2.2.5 that required CAs to record the relevant BR version number when performing validation.
  • Replace it with unambiguous language in Section 5.4.1 requiring CAs to audit log the information being validated and the validation method used.
• Effective date stated in the ballot text: July 15, 2026.

What changes in requirements

• Removes requirements to maintain a record of the relevant BR version number used for validation.
• Updates audit logging so that, effective 2026-07-15, records MUST include at a minimum:
  • the information being validated (for example, the applied-for FQDN or the organization name)
  • the ADN used (if applicable and different from the applied-for FQDN)
  • the validation method used (for example, the BRs section number or the registered label of an ACME validation method)

Voting and adoption

• Voting results shown on the ballot page:
  • 29 voting YES, 0 voting NO, 0 ABSTAIN (29 votes in total)
• Bylaws requirements:
  • Bylaw 2.3(6) adoption thresholds were MET for both Certificate Issuers and Certificate Consumers.
  • Bylaw 2.3(7) quorum requirement was MET (quorum was 15 for this ballot).