The first discussion drafts of the upcoming version of software certification test specifications are now available at the end of the TestSpecs page in Skype Developer Zone. Read more to find out about the purpose and nature of the changes, and don't hesitate to add your comments on the discussion page which also includes a detailed change log.

Our main objectives were to make the wording of specs more accurate, to remove redundancies, and clarify the priorities of individual requirements.

According to the current version of the specs, an application had to pass all P1 requirements to pass the test, but it may have failed any number of P2 and P3 requirements. In the new specs, P1 requirements are "absolute must", P2 "must if" and P3 "should".

P1 requirements cannot be marked as not applicable and must be met in any case. Failing even one P1 requirement means the product cannot be certified.

P2 requirements may be marked as not applicable if the product does not implement certain functionality. However, if a P2 requirement is relevant to the product, then it must be met; failing even one relevant P2 requirement means the product cannot be certified.

P3 requirements are effectively recommendations. You are free to mark them as N/A. You are even free to build a product that does not meet some of the applicable P3 requirements, and the product can still be certified if it meets all P1 and applicable P2 requirements. However, these requirements give you a hint about what we like to see in certified apps -- and some of the P3's may become P2's in future.