Scientists must find new names for the elements but, also, they must suggest two-letter symbols for the elements. When IUPAC has received the researchers’ suggestions, they will tell the public so that people can comment on the names. That allows scientists and others to find any problems with the names. In 1996, someone suggested the symbol Cp for copernicium, or element 112, but it was changed to Cn, when scientists complained that Cp was already the symbol for another substance.
What happens once IUPAC receives a suggested symbol for an element?
It allows the outside world to give feedback on the suggestion It internally reviews and comments on issues with the proposed symbol It verifies that it is not already the name of another substance It sends an official acknowledgment letter