# What is PEP 609?


> [!NOTE]
> PEP 609 was superseded by [PEP 772](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/explanation/what-is-pep-772.md) in April 2026, which replaces PyPA's informal governance with an elected [Packaging Council](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/explanation/what-is-pep-772.md).

PEP 609 established the original governance model for the [Python Packaging Authority (PyPA)](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/explanation/what-is-pypa.md), the working group that maintains core Python packaging tools like [pip](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/reference/pip.md), [setuptools](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/reference/setuptools.md), and [wheel](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/reference/wheel.md).

## What the PEP Defines

PyPA operated informally without written governance until PEP 609. The PEP formalizes several key aspects:

- Membership: Anyone with commit access to a PyPA project is a member. New projects can join by requesting inclusion through the PyPA GitHub organization.
- Decision making: Decisions are made through informal consensus on discussion threads. If consensus cannot be reached, a formal vote among members can be called.
- Project lifecycle: PyPA projects are expected to follow Python packaging standards. Projects that become unmaintained can be archived or removed from the organization.
- Relationship to PEPs: PyPA members participate in the PEP process for packaging-related standards but do not have special authority over PEP acceptance — that remains with the Python Steering Council.

## Why It Matters

PEP 609 provides transparency around how PyPA operates, clarifying how packaging tools are maintained and how new tools can join the official ecosystem. Many widely-used packaging tools like [poetry](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/reference/poetry.md) and [uv](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/reference/uv.md) exist outside of PyPA.

## Learn More

- [PEP 609 Specification](https://peps.python.org/pep-0609/)
- [What is PEP 772?](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/explanation/what-is-pep-772.md) (the replacement governance model)
- [PyPA Website](https://www.pypa.io/en/latest/)
- [What is PyPA?](https://pydevtools.com/handbook/explanation/what-is-pypa.md)