Application developers in the Red Hat Partner Connect program can now build their container apps and redistribute them from the full set of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) user space packages (non-kernel). This nearly triples the number of packages over UBI only.
When we introduced Red Hat Universal Base Images (UBI) in May 2019, we provided Red Hat partners the ability to freely use and redistribute a substantial number of RHEL packages that can be deployed on both Red Hat and non-Red Hat platforms. This gave developers the ability to build safe, secure, and portable container-based software that could then be deployed anywhere. The feedback on this has been overwhelmingly positive and we thank you for it, but we learned that you needed more, so we’re sharing this advanced preview with Red Hat Partner Connect members to help you with your planning.
Expanded and exclusive redistribution rights for Red Hat Partners
We are pleased to announce expanded partner terms and conditions that grant Red Hat Partners free use and redistribution rights to all Red Hat Enterprise Linux user space packages when you build upon UBI-based images. With more than triple the number of RHEL packages now available, you can simplify your container and Operator development and freely re-distribute your container-based software through both Red Hat and non-Red Hat registries. This is only available to Red Hat partners who participate in and complete Red Hat Container Certification.
Get started
To use and redistribute all RHEL user space packages, Red Hat Partner Connect members that are enrolled in the Red Hat Container Certification program need to accept the updated Container Appendix and agree to certify their software via the program. Containers will need to be built on a RHEL container host with an active subscription in order to access all of the applicable RHEL packages.
FAQs
- What are the specific requirements that partners have to meet to take advantage of the expanded scope of Red Hat Container Certification?
- Partner container images must use the RHEL 7 UBI or RHEL 8 UBI as a base image.
- Partners must accept the Red Hat Partner Connect agreement. There is no change to the current agreement, so if it is already signed there is no need to re-sign it.
- Partners must participate in Red Hat Container Certification, which means accepting the updated Container Appendix terms as part of the certification workflow and completing the container certification. This updated Container Appendix grants use of all RHEL packages except the kernel, as long as the resulting work does not constitute a material reproduction of a commercial Red Hat product.
- How is this expanded scope different than Red Hat Universal Base Images (UBI)?
Anyone can use and redistribute UBI packages. Whether they have a Red Hat Enterprise Linux subscription or not. UBI, which is based on RHEL, is a subset of RHEL user space packages. This announcement lets Red Hat Partners use and redistribute all RHEL user space packages, including UBI. - What’s different in the certification workflow?
There is no change to how you submit your software to be certified. - What changes occur to coding practices?
None. Keep using UBI base images as you are today. Add any user space packages needed from the various RHEL repos. - Has the UBI changed to include RHEL kernel?
No, UBI is the same and anyone can use and freely redistribute UBI-based images whether they have a Red Hat subscription or not. This updated partner agreement lets partners use and redistribute any RHEL user space package built from UBI-based images.
Resources
- Red Hat Container Certification
- Red Hat Container Certification datasheet
- Red Hat Container Certification Partner Guide
- Red Hat Universal Base Image UBI page and UBI FAQ
- Learn about becoming Red Hat partner
Learn more
If you’d like to learn more, join us for our March 18 webinar "Simplified container development and redistribution with RHEL," where we’ll discuss how these expanded redistribution capabilities augment your software development and business. Register today.
Last updated: November 7, 2025