JCP

The JCP is an open organization, created in 1998 by Sun Microsystems, that is involved in the definition of future versions and features of the Java platform. When the need for standardizing an existing component or API is identified, the initiator (a.k.a. specification lead) creates a JSR and forms a group of experts. This group, made of companies’ representatives, organizations, universities, or private individuals, is responsible for the development of the JSR and has to deliver:

• One or more specifications that explain the details and define the fundamentals of the JSR (Java Specification Requests (JSRs) are the actual descriptions of proposed and final specifications for the Java platform. At any one time there are numerous JSRs moving through the review and approval process. A simple way to stay up to date and track the JSRs in each stage of review is to join the Mailing List.),
• A Reference Implementation (RI), which is an actual implementation of the specification,
• Compatibility Test Kit (a.k.a. Technology Compatibility Kit, or TCK), which is a set of tests every implementation needs to pass before claiming to conform to the specification.

Once approved by the executive committee (EC), the specification is released to the community for implementation.

Reference:

Beginning Java EE 7

By Antonio Goncalves