CORE introduced new membership criteria in order to encourage the introduction of registrars from lesser developed countries (LDCs):

• The monthly membership assessment of US$ 50 was reduced to US$ 10 for applicants from countries with GDP per capita lower than USD 15,000

• The application fee or Minimal Initial Account Balance (MIAB), fully available to fund registrations, but not refundable continues to be USD 500 for applicants from countries with GDP per capita lower than USD 15,000.

• The threshold for LDC status was changed to annual GDP per capita below 15,000. Previusly, it had been defined as GDP per capita below USD 10,000.