diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 948a7d98db..c3b2cc92df 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -2,11 +2,17 @@
  Using This Repository
 =======================
 
-This repository is for tracking release requests for official OpenStack
-projects. The releases are managed using groups of "deliverables",
-made up of individual project repositories sharing a Launchpad group
-and a version number history. Many deliverables will only have one
-constituent project.
+All official OpenStack software should go through the
+`Release Management team
+<https://governance.openstack.org/tc/reference/projects/release-management.html>`_
+team to produce releases. Exceptions to this rule are granted by
+the Technical Committee and documented in the openstack/governance
+repository ('release-management' key in reference/projects.yaml).
+
+This repository is used to track release requests. Releases are managed
+using groups of "deliverables", made up of individual project repositories
+sharing a Launchpad group and a version number history. Many deliverables
+will only have one constituent project repository.
 
 The repository is managed by the `Release Management team
 <https://governance.openstack.org/tc/reference/projects/release-management.html>`_.