[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45249-45262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15848]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 45249]]



NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

36 CFR Parts 1235, 1236, and 1237

[FDMS No. NARA-16-0002; NARA-2016-017]
RIN 3095-AB89


Records Management

AGENCY: National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

ACTION: Proposed rules.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NARA proposes to revise its records management regulations to 
reflect executive actions, statutory changes, advances in technology, 
and organizational changes. This is phase II of the revisions and 
includes changes to provisions in transferring records to the National 
Archives of the United States, managing electronic records, and 
managing audiovisual, cartographic, and related records.

DATES: Submit comments on or before September 12, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 3095-AB89, by any 
of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected]. Include RIN 3095-AB89 
in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: 301-837-0319. Include RIN 3095-AB89 in the subject 
line of the fax cover sheet.
     Mail (for paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions. Include RIN 
3095-AB89 on the submission): Regulations Comment Desk (Strategy & 
Performance Division (SP)); Suite 4100; National Archives and Records 
Administration; 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001
     Hand delivery or courier: Deliver comments to front desk 
at the address above.
    Instructions: All submissions must include NARA's name and the 
regulatory information number for this rulemaking (RIN 3095-AB89). We 
may publish any comments we receive without changes, including any 
personal information you include.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura McCarthy, by email at 
[email protected], or by telephone at 301-837-3023. You may 
also find more information about records management at NARA on NARA's 
Web site at http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed revisions to the Federal 
records management regulations contained in 36 CFR Chapter XII, 
Subchapter B, affect Federal agencies' records management programs in 
the areas of permanent records and their transfer to the National 
Archives of the United States, electronic records management, and 
management of audiovisual, cartographic, and related records.
    We are proposing changes to Federal records management regulations 
to incorporate recent executive actions, statutory changes, advances in 
technology, and NARA organizational changes.
    The Presidential Memorandum--Managing Government Records (November 
28, 2011) and subsequent implementing guidance (Office of Management 
and Budget Memorandum M-12-18, Managing Government Records Directive 
(August 24, 2012)) require NARA to modernize Federal records management 
practices, particularly with respect to electronic records. In 2014, 
the Presidential and Federal Records Act Amendments of 2014 (``FRA 
Amendments,'' Pub. L. 113-187) modernized the definition of a Federal 
record, addressed electronic messaging, and required agencies to 
transfer electronic permanent records to NARA in an electronic format 
to the greatest extent possible. We propose revisions in this 
rulemaking to address the changes regarding the transfer of electronic 
records and electronic messaging: additional changes to the regulations 
to address policy and statutory changes will be addressed in future 
revisions.
    We are also making administrative changes, such as updating office 
names and organizational codes, updating URLs, and adding new links to 
NARA's records management Web pages. We are removing repetitive 
definitions sections from each part to a centralized definitions part 
(to come in part 1220) applying to all parts (streamlining under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act) and removing repetitive authorities sections 
from each part because authorities are noted under the table of 
contents (streamlining under the Paperwork Reduction Act). We are 
making other minor editorial changes for consistency among parts, and 
revising some language to comply with Plain Language requirements.

Discussion of Proposed Rule Provisions

Proposed Part 1235, Transfer of Records to the National Archives of the 
United States

    This part establishes requirements for the transfer of permanent 
Federal records to the National Archives of the United States. 
Throughout part 1235, we have revised those sections referencing the 
paper transfer document, Standard Form 258 (SF-258), Agreement to 
Transfer Records to the National Archives of the United States, to add 
the electronic ERA Transfer Request, and other similar procedural 
items. ERA is the NARA system that Federal agencies use to request the 
transfer of permanent records to NARA.
    Part 1235 is divided into three subparts. Subpart A, General 
Transfer Requirements, contains Sec. Sec.  1235.1 through 1235.20 and 
prescribes the requirements that agencies must follow when they 
transfer permanent records to NARA. These sections remain largely 
unchanged from the current regulations with the exception of Sec.  
1235.20. We are proposing changes to Sec.  1235.20 that would require 
agencies to review their historical records and remove any restrictions 
that no longer apply at time of transfer; provide additional 
information on any access and use restrictions that must remain; and 
identify classified records.
    Our proposed revisions to Subpart B, Administration of Transferred 
Records, specifically Sec.  1235.32, also provide for the removal of 
restrictions on transferred records when NARA believes it to be in the 
public interest.
    Subpart C, Transfer Specifications and Standards, contains the 
specifications and requirements for agencies when transferring 
audiovisual, cartographic, and architectural records to NARA. We are 
proposing moving the transfer specifications and standards for

[[Page 45250]]

permanent analog and digital audiovisual, cartographic, and related 
records to Part 1237, Audiovisual, Cartographic, and Related Records.
    Additionally, we are proposing to update our online transfer 
guidance to address electronic records and their formats and adding 
references to that guidance in the regulations so users can quickly 
access the latest updates. We are proposing adding two new sections, 
Sec. Sec.  1235.52 and 1235.54, that contain the transfer 
specifications, standards, and procedures for transferring textual 
records into the National Archives of the United States.

Proposed Part 1236, Electronic Records Management

    This part reflects an update in response to major developments in 
the area of electronic recordkeeping and electronic messaging and we 
have proposed several revisions to this part. These changes include 
provisions to reflect the 2014 FRA Amendments, a new section with 
Federal electronic messaging requirements, standards for internet 
message formats, new definitions for electronic messages and messaging 
accounts, and a requirement to associate proper names with email 
accounts.
    Part 1236 is divided into three subparts. Subpart A, General, 
contains a new standard that we are proposing to incorporate by 
reference, RFC 5322, Internet Message Format (see: http://www.rfc-base.org/txt/rfc-532), that provides requirements for internet 
electronic message format; a detailed discussion of RFC 5322 is found 
below under the ``Standards'' heading. The 2014 FRA Amendments 
contained two new definitions that we propose adding to our definitions 
section: ``electronic messages'' and ``electronic messaging account.''
    Subpart B, Records Management and Preservation Consideration for 
Designing and Implementing Electronic Information Systems, remains 
largely unchanged.
    Subpart C, Additional Requirements for Electronic Records, 
specifies recordkeeping requirements for electronic records and 
includes a proposed new section on additional recordkeeping 
requirements for electronic messaging records. In Sec.  1236.21, we 
propose adding the following provisions regarding electronic messaging 
records:
     Use of a non-official electronic messaging account is 
permitted only when agency-administered systems are unavailable; and
     Any electronic messaging record created, sent, or received 
in an unofficial account must be copied or forwarded to an agency-
administered system within 20 days.
    We are also adding language to Sec.  1236.22 to specify that the 
proper name of the sender must either be captured with the email or the 
agency must maintain a record of the association between the email 
address and the employee, including any nicknames or aliases.

Proposed Part 1237, Audiovisual, Cartographic, and Related Records 
Management

    This proposed part expands and updates the audiovisual records 
management provisions in the existing part 1237 by removing the 
transfer specifications and requirements for permanent audiovisual, 
cartographic, and related records from part 1235 and merging these into 
Sec.  1237.12, which prescribes the records elements agencies must 
create, preserve, and transfer with both analog and digital 
audiovisual, cartographic, and related records.

Standards

    NARA's current records management regulations incorporate by 
reference certain consensus standards developed by various 
organizations. The regulations in this proposed rule retain some 
previously approved standards incorporated by reference. In addition, 
this regulatory action proposes incorporating by reference the 
following standards (either updating current ones or adding new ones):

In 36 CFR 1235:

ISO 9660:1988(E), Information Processing--Volume and File Structure of 
CD-ROM for Information Exchange, First edition, as Corrected, 1988-09-
01--Incorporated in Sec.  1235.46

    This is the same standard as is currently incorporated by 
reference. However, the ISO standard is now available from ANSI, as 
part of the DIN ISO 9660 (December 1990) version, so the description 
and availability information in Sec.  1235.4 has been updated 
accordingly.

In 36 CFR 1236:

Request for Comment (RFC) 5322, Internet Message Format, 2008--
Incorporated in Sec.  1236.22

    This standard provides requirements for internet electronic message 
format, including requirements for a message header, message header 
fields and syntax, and message body. NARA is incorporating this 
specification by reference in part 1236 to provide Federal agencies 
with clear minimum requirements for email messages. RFC 5322 is 
available to the public at http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5322.

In 36 CFR 1237:
    The following six standards are available through the American 
National Standards Institute (ANSI) at: American National Standards 
Institute; 25 West 43rd St., 4th Floor; New York, NY 10036, or online 
at http://webstore.ansi.org, and from Techstreet, a standards reseller, 
at Techstreet; 3916 Ranchero Drive; Ann Arbor, MI 48108, by phone at 
(800) 699-9277, or online at http://www.Techstreet.com.

ISO 2859-1: 1999 (``ISO 2859-1''), Sampling Procedures for Inspection 
by Attributes--Part I: Sampling Schemes Indexed by Acceptable Quality 
Level (AQL) for Lot-by-Lot Inspection, Second Edition, November 15, 
1999 (supplemented by Amendment 1, 2011)--Incorporated in Sec.  
1237.28(d)

    This standard sets forth statistical methodologies and procedures 
for sampling plans devised for quality-control purposes, and keyed to 
calculations of ``Acceptable Quality Limit'' (AQL, the limit between 
acceptability and refusal with respect to defective products). The 
sampling plans are applicable to a variety of production and management 
processes, including systematic digitization projects involving 
substantial audiovisual holdings. Covered in the document are such key 
principles, steps, and calculations as: Expressions of non-conformity 
vis-[agrave]-vis product quality objectives; the AQL formulation; 
submission of products for sampling; acceptance and non-acceptance; 
drawing of samples; normal, tightened, and reduced inspection 
approaches; switching of sampling rules and procedures; sampling plan 
types; and determination of acceptability. The 1999 edition, 
supplemented by Amendment 1 from 2011, updates the original edition 
referenced in the present CFR. Changes introduce a greater measure of 
sampling flexibility and efficiency: A new procedure for switching from 
normal to reduced inspection; a new reference to ``skip-lot'' sampling 
as an alternative to reduced inspection; changes to double sampling 
plans to provide a smaller average sample size; reduction of multiple 
sampling plans from seven stages to five stages; and the addition of 
optional fractional acceptance number plans, among other revisions. We 
are incorporating the 1999 edition and 2011 amendment in part 1237 to 
provide agency personnel with the most rigorous, up-to-date guidance on 
how to monitor quality in processes profoundly

[[Page 45251]]

affecting the audiovisual records bound for NARA.

ISO 18902: 2013 (``ISO 18902''), Imaging Materials--Processed Imaging 
Materials--Albums, Framing, and Storage Materials, Third Edition, July 
1, 2013--Incorporated in Sec. Sec.  1237.16(b) and 1237.22(f)

    This standard establishes physical and chemical requirements for 
album, storage, and framing materials necessary to arrest the natural 
decomposition of photographic prints, negatives, and transparencies 
over time. Included are detailed requirements for paper and paperboard, 
plastics, metals, writing instruments, adhesives, tapes, self-adhesive 
labeling materials, stamping inks and pads, framing and glazing 
materials used in the construction of storage and display devices, and 
various types of printers. The 2013 edition updates the 2001 version 
(referenced in the present CFR) as well as the 2007 version; among 
other changes, the latest edition adds more specific reporting 
protocols for annual testing and evaluation of housing materials, and 
also expands the applicability of the standard to housing for digital 
prints. We are incorporating the 2013 revision in part 1237 to provide 
agencies with current guidance on what materials to use, and what 
materials to avoid, for optimal photo housing.

ISO 18911: 2010 (``ISO 18911''), Imaging Materials--Processed Safety 
Photographic Films--Storage Practices, Second Edition, September 1, 
2010--Incorporated in Sec. Sec.  1237.16(b), 1237.16(d), and 1237.18(a)

    This standard provides detailed recommendations on storage 
conditions, enclosures, housing, environmental controls, fire 
protection measures, and identification, inspection, and handling 
procedures for all safety (non-nitrate) photographic films in roll, 
strip, aperture-card, or sheet format, regardless of size. These 
standards provide systematic guidance on temperature and relative 
humidity levels needed for medium-term (minimum 10 years) and extended-
term (500 years) preservation of film in the major process categories: 
Black-and-white and color, acetate-base and polyester-base. The 2010 
edition updates the 2000 version presently referenced in the CFR, and 
includes a fuller discussion (with greater sensitivity to digital 
scanning possibilities) concerning the establishment and maintenance of 
record version/reference version approaches designed to minimize the 
wear and tear on original (record version) film. We are incorporating 
the 2010 edition in part 1237 to provide agencies with the most current 
guidance on what constitutes a ``proper'' approach to physical 
maintenance of historically valuable film-based photographic records. 
The latest authority also supports NARA's emphasis on timely transfer 
of at-risk photographic film from sub-standard storage conditions to 
standards-compliant NARA facilities.

ISO 18920: 2011 (``ISO 18920''), Imaging Materials--Reflection Prints--
Storage Practices, Second Edition, October 1, 2011--Incorporated in 
Sec.  1237.18(a)

    This standard provides detailed recommendations on storage 
facilities, storage enclosures and housing, environmental conditions, 
fire protection measures, and identification, handling, and inspection 
procedures for prints of all types and sizes. This standard includes 
prints on fiber-based or resin-coated paper and prints on plastic 
supports; black-and-white silver gelatin prints and multicolor and 
monochrome color prints; and products of thermal dye transfer printing 
and inkjet printing. This standard includes guidance on temperature and 
relative humidity levels appropriate for medium-term preservation 
(minimum 10 years) and extended-term preservation (no fixed-year 
definition, but one reference to hundreds of years). The 2011 edition 
updates the 2000 version presently referenced in the CFR, and provides 
more specificity on digital print types. We are incorporating the 2011 
revision in part 1237 to provide agencies with current guidance on 
``best practices'' for physical maintenance of historically valuable 
photographic prints. The latest authority also supports NARA's emphasis 
on timely transfer of at-risk photographic film from sub-standard 
storage conditions to standards-compliant NARA facilities.

ISO 18925: 2013 (``ISO 18925''), Imaging Materials--Optical Disc 
Media--Storage Practices, Third Edition, February 1, 2013--Incorporated 
in Sec.  1237.18(c)

    This standard provides detailed recommendations for storage 
conditions, storage facilities, enclosures, and inspection procedures 
sufficient to prevent long-term deterioration of CDs, DVDs, and variant 
disc forms made for audio, video, photographic, and other electronic 
data applications. Included is guidance on environmental storage 
conditions, with an emphasis on temperature and humidity limits, 
dangers posed by contaminants and gaseous impurities, and the impact of 
magnetic fields. Also covered are storage materials, enclosures, 
labeling, acclimatization, storage rooms and housing, fire protection 
measures, and identification, inspection, and cleaning procedures. The 
2013 edition updates the 2002 version (referenced in the present CFR) 
and also the 2008 version. We are incorporating the 2013 revision in 
part 1237 to provide agency personnel with current guidance on the 
appropriate strategies for maximizing the useful life of optical discs.

NFPA 40-2011 (``NFPA 40-2011''), Standard for the Storage and Handling 
of Cellulose Nitrate Film, 2011--Incorporated in Sec.  1237.30(a)

    This standard provides detailed requirements relating to the many 
aspects of nitrate film storage and handling, including construction 
and arrangement of nitrate-storing buildings, environmental controls, 
fire protection measures, cabinets and vaults for extended term 
storage, containers for film transport and eventual disposal, and 
enclosed areas for nitrate film viewing. The 2011 edition updates the 
2007 version referenced in the present CFR; among other changes, the 
new edition incorporates updated specifications for film vault fire 
protection and also adds an explanatory section on converting 
calculations based on roll film quantities to sheet film equivalencies. 
We are incorporating the 2011 revision in part 1237 to provide agency 
personnel with current guidance on safe storage and handling of nitrate 
film.

Regulatory Analysis

Review Under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 58 FR 51735 
(September 30, 1993), and Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation 
and Regulation Review, 76 FR 23821 (January 18, 2011), direct agencies 
to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives 
and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that 
maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, 
public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). 
This proposed rule is not ``significant'' under section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866 because it applies only to Federal agencies, and 
is updating the regulations, not establishing new programs. Although 
the proposed revisions change and add new requirements for agencies, 
the requirements are necessary to keep the existing regulations up-to-
date and to ensure agencies are preserving records

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for the United States as well as possible. The Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) has reviewed this regulation.

Review Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.)

    This review requires an agency to prepare an initial regulatory 
flexibility analysis and publish it when the agency publishes the 
proposed rule. This requirement does not apply if the agency certifies 
that the rule will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 603). NARA 
certifies, after review and analysis, that this proposed rule will not 
have a significant adverse economic impact on small entities.

Review Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et 
seq.)

    This proposed rule does not contain any information collection 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Review Under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, 64 FR 43255 (August 4, 
1999)

    Review Under Executive Order 13132 requires that agencies review 
regulations for Federalism effects on the institutional interest of 
states and local governments, and, if the effects are sufficiently 
substantial, prepare a Federal assessment to assist senior policy 
makers. This proposed rule will not have any direct effects on State 
and local governments within the meaning of the Executive Order. 
Therefore, no Federalism assessment is required.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Parts 1235, 1236 and 1237

    Archives, Incorporation by reference, Records, Records management.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, NARA proposes to amend 36 
CFR parts 1235, 1236, and 1237 as follows:

0
1. Revise part 1235 to read as follows:

PART 1235--TRANSFERRING PERMANENT RECORDS TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
OF THE UNITED STATES

Sec.
Subpart A--General Transfer Requirements
1235.3 What standards apply to this part?
1235.4 What publication(s) are incorporated by reference into this 
part?
1235.10 What records do agencies transfer to the National Archives 
of the United States?
1235.12 When must agencies transfer records to the National Archives 
of the United States?
1235.14 May agencies retain records longer than the retention period 
established by the records schedule?
1235.16 How does NARA respond to an agency's request to retain 
records?
1235.18 How do agencies transfer records to the National Archives of 
the United States?
1235.20 How do agencies indicate that records contain information 
that may be restricted from public access?
1235.22 When does legal custody of records transfer to the National 
Archives of the United States?
Subpart B--Administration of Transferred Records
1235.30 Does NARA restrict access to transferred records?
1235.32 How does NARA handle access restrictions on transferred 
records?
1235.34 May NARA destroy transferred records?
Subpart C--Transfer Specifications and Standards
1235.40 What records are covered by additional transfer 
requirements?
1235.42 What transfer specifications and standards apply to 
audiovisual, cartographic, and related records?
1235.44 What general transfer requirements apply to electronic 
records?
1235.46 What media or method may agencies use to transfer electronic 
records to the National Archives of the United States?
1235.50 What transfer specifications and standards apply to 
electronic records?
1235.52 What transfer specifications and standards apply to textual 
records?
1235.54 How do agencies transfer permanent textual records to the 
National Archives of the United States?
1235.56 How do agencies transfer permanent electronic records to the 
National Archives of the United States using the Electronic Records 
Archives (ERA)?

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 2107 and 2108.

Subpart A--General Transfer Requirements


Sec.  1235.3  What standards apply to this part?

    In addition to this part, you can find guidance and additional 
information about transferring permanent records to the National 
Archives of the United States on NARA's accessioning Web page at http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/accessioning/.


Sec.  1235.4  What publications are incorporated by reference into this 
part?

    (a) NARA incorporates certain material by reference into this part 
with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that 
specified in this section, NARA must publish a document in the Federal 
Register and must make the material available to the public. You may 
inspect all approved material incorporated by reference at NARA's 
textual research room, located at National Archives and Records 
Administration; 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2000; College Park, MD 20740-
6001. To arrange to inspect this approved material at NARA, contact 
NARA's Regulation Comments Desk (Strategy & Performance Division (SP)) 
by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 301-837-
3023. All approved material is available from the sources listed below. 
You may also inspect approved material at the Office of the Federal 
Register (OFR). For information on the availability of this material at 
the OFR, call 202-741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (b) American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The following 
standards are available from the American National Standards Institute, 
25 West 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, phone number (212) 
642-4900, or online at http://webstore.ansi.org.
    (1) ISO 9660-1990 (``ISO 9660''), Information processing--Volume 
and File Structure of CD-ROM for Information Exchange, First edition, 
as corrected, 1988-09-01. IBR approved for Sec.  1235.46(b).
    (2) [Reserved]


Sec.  1235.10  What records do agencies transfer to the National 
Archives of the United States?

    Agencies must transfer to the National Archives of the United 
States those records that the Archivist of the United States has deemed 
to have sufficient historical value to warrant permanent preservation 
by the United States Government. This includes records that agencies 
have scheduled as permanent on a NARA-approved records schedule, 
records that a General Records Schedule (GRS) designates as permanent, 
and, when appropriate, records that are accretions to holdings (i.e., 
continuations of series already transferred).


Sec.  1235.12  When must agencies transfer records to the National 
Archives of the United States?

    Agencies must transfer permanent records to the National Archives 
of the United States when:
    (a) The records are eligible for transfer based on the transfer 
date in a NARA-approved records schedule; or
    (b) NARA has deemed the records to have sufficient historical value 
to warrant permanent preservation by the

[[Page 45253]]

United States Government and the records have existed for more than 30 
years (see also Sec.  1235.14).


Sec.  1235.14  May agencies retain records longer than the retention 
period established by the records schedule?

    (a) Agencies may retain certain records longer than specified on a 
records schedule only with written approval from NARA. NARA will review 
requests as exceptions to an approved disposition authority (see part 
1225 of this subchapter for more information about changing retention 
periods in an approved disposition authority).
    (b) If an agency determines that it needs to keep certain records 
longer than scheduled to conduct regular business, the agency's Records 
Officer must submit a written request certifying continuing need to 
NARA by mail to National Archives and Records Administration; Office of 
the Chief Records Officer (AC); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 
20740-6001, or by email to [email protected]. This 
certification must:
    (1) Include a comprehensive description and location of the 
records;
    (2) Cite the NARA-approved disposition authority;
    (3) Describe the current business for which the agency needs the 
records;
    (4) Estimate the length of time the agency needs the records (if 
the agency provides no date, any certification request NARA may approve 
is effective for a maximum of five years);
    (5) Explain why agency needs cannot be met by NARA reference 
services or copies of records deposited in the National Archives of the 
United States; and
    (6) If the agency retains the records to enable routine public 
access through the agency rather than through NARA, cite the statutory 
authority authorizing this agency activity.


Sec.  1235.16  How does NARA respond to an agency's request to retain 
records?

    (a) NARA responds in writing to requests within 30 days of 
receiving them, whether approving or denying the request.
    (b) NARA may deny requests to retain records in certain cases, 
including when the agency requests to retain the records primarily to:
    (1) Provide access services to individuals outside the agency that 
can be provided by NARA; or
    (2) Function as an agency archives, unless specifically authorized 
by statute or by NARA.


Sec.  1235.18  How do agencies transfer records to the National 
Archives of the United States?

    Agencies transfer records by completing and submitting a Transfer 
Request (TR) in the Electronic Records Archives (ERA) or a signed 
Standard Form (SF) 258, Agreement to Transfer Records to the National 
Archives of the United States (if special circumstances merit use; see 
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/era/faqs.html for more details). 
Each TR or SF 258 must correlate to a specific records series or other 
aggregation of records, as identified in an item on a records schedule 
or under circumstances noted in Sec.  1235.10. The National Archives 
makes the final determination to accept transfers of permanent records.


Sec.  1235.20  How do agencies indicate that records contain 
information that may be restricted from public access?

    Agencies should consider the historical nature of the records when 
indicating what restrictions may apply at the time of transfer to the 
National Archives of the United States. Agencies must conduct a review 
of restrictions on records and remove any restrictions that are not 
applicable at the time of transfer. In addition, agencies should 
consult NARA's accessioning Web page at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/accessioning/, and NARA's Transfer Guidance at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html for 
information about documentation that agencies must transfer with 
electronic records.
    (a) Agencies must indicate all restrictions on access and use of 
the records when completing Transfer Request (TR) in the Electronic 
Records Archives (ERA) or a signed Standard Form (SF) 258, Agreement to 
Transfer Records to the National Archives of the United States (see 
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/era/agency-user-manual.pdf for 
NARA's ERA Agency User Manual, or the accessioning Web page at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/accessioning/, for further instructions).
    (1) The TR or SF 258 must cite any Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) exemptions (5 U.S.C. 552(b)) that authorize the restrictions. 
When an agency cites Exemption 3, they must also cite the underlying 
statutory restriction.
    (2) NARA may require additional information on access and use 
restrictions.
    (3) If the Archivist of the United States agrees to the 
restrictions, NARA will place such restrictions on the records, until 
such time as NARA deems it in the public interest to remove the 
restrictions.
    (b) Agencies must include the Classified Records Transfer Check 
List, National Archives and Records Administration Form (NA Form) 14130 
(http://www.archives.gov/declassification/ndc/forms/na-14130.pdf) as an 
attachment to the ERA TR or the SF 258 when classified and declassified 
records are ready for transfer to the National Archives.
    (c) Agencies must use Standard Form (SF) 715, Government 
Declassification Review Tab, to tab and identify specific documents 
that contain classified information that:
    (1) Is exempt or excluded from automatic declassification; or
    (2) Requires referral to another agency. See 32 CFR part 2001 
Classified National Security Information, and ISOO Notice 2009-02, at: 
http://www.archives.gov/isoo/notices/notice-2009-02-sf715.pdf, for 
further guidance.


Sec.  1235.22  When does legal custody of records transfer to the 
National Archives of the United States?

    Legal custody of records passes from the agency to the National 
Archives of the United States when the appropriate NARA official signs 
the Electronic Records Archives (ERA) Legal Transfer Instrument (LTI) 
or Standard Form (SF) 258, Agreement to Transfer Records to the 
National Archives of the United States (if special circumstances merit 
use).

Subpart B--Administration of Transferred Records


Sec.  1235.30  Does NARA restrict access to transferred records?

    Consistent with NARA's General Restrictions (subpart D of part 1256 
of this chapter) and with FOIA (5 U.S.C. 552(b)):
    (a) NARA enforces restrictions on access to records in the National 
Archives of the United States. This applies to access by both Federal 
agencies and the public; and
    (b) NARA regulations in subchapter C of this chapter apply to 
Federal agency personnel accessing transferred records for official 
Government purposes, and to the public at large.


Sec.  1235.32  How does NARA handle access restrictions on transferred 
records?

    (a) Records less than 30 years old. NARA will apply the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) exemptions cited on the Electronic Records 
Archives (ERA) Transfer Request or Standard Form (SF) 258, Agreement to 
Transfer Records to the National Archives of the United States, where

[[Page 45254]]

appropriate, and conduct a FOIA review, where NARA deems it necessary, 
before releasing records to the public. NARA may relax, remove, or 
impose restrictions to serve the public interest.
    (b) Records more than 30 years old. After records are more than 30 
years old, NARA may lift restrictions, as appropriate, but may keep the 
restrictions in force for a longer period.


Sec.  1235.34  May NARA destroy transferred records?

    NARA will only destroy records transferred to the National Archives 
of the United States' legal custody:
    (a) With the written concurrence of the agency or its successor; or
    (b) As authorized on an Electronic Records Archives (ERA) Legal 
Transfer Instrument (LTI) or Standard Form (SF) 258, Agreement to 
Transfer Records to the National Archives of the United States.

Subpart C--Transfer Specifications and Standards


Sec.  1235.40  What records are covered by additional transfer 
requirements?

    In addition to complying with subparts A and B of this part, 
agencies must follow the specifications and requirements in this 
subpart when transferring audiovisual, cartographic, architectural, and 
electronic records to the National Archives of the United States. In 
general, agencies must transfer such records to the National Archives 
of the United States as soon as they become inactive or whenever the 
agency cannot provide proper care and handling for the records, 
including adequate storage conditions (see parts 1236 and 1237 of this 
subchapter for storage information). For specific guidance about 
transferring permanent electronic records, see http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/accessioning/electronic.html.


Sec.  1235.42  What transfer specifications and standards apply to 
audiovisual, cartographic, and related records?

    See Sec.  1237.12 of this subchapter for specifications and 
standards for transfer of audiovisual, cartographic, and related 
records.


Sec.  1235.44  What general transfer requirements apply to electronic 
records?

    (a) Each agency must retain a copy of permanent electronic records 
that it transfers to the National Archives of the United States until 
it receives official notification that NARA has assumed legal custody 
of the records.
    (b) For guidance related to the transfer of electronic records 
other than those covered in this subpart, the agency must consult with 
NARA by mail at National Archives and Records Administration; 
Electronic Records Division (RDE); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 
20740-6001, or by email [email protected]">at[email protected].
    (c) When transferring digital photographs and their accompanying 
metadata, the agency must consult with NARA by mail at National 
Archives and Records Administration; Special Media Records Division 
(RDS); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at 
[email protected].
    (d) Agencies should consult NARA's transfer guidance at http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html.


Sec.  1235.46  What media or method may agencies use to transfer 
electronic records to the National Archives of the United States?

    (a) General. Agencies must use only sound and defect-free media for 
transfers to the National Archives of the United States. When permanent 
electronic records may be disseminated through multiple electronic 
media (e.g., magnetic tape, CD-ROM) or mechanisms (e.g., File Transfer 
Protocol (FTP)), the agency and NARA must agree on the most appropriate 
medium or method for transfer of the records to the National Archives 
of the United States.
    (b) Optical media (e.g., CD-ROM and DVD)). Agencies may use CD-ROMs 
and DVDs to transfer permanent electronic records to the National 
Archives of the United States.
    (1) CD-ROMs used for this purpose must conform to ISO 9660 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1235.4).
    (2) Permanent electronic records must be stored in discrete files. 
Transferred CD-ROMs and DVDs may contain other files, such as software 
or temporary records, but all permanent records must be in files that 
contain only permanent records. Agencies must indicate at the time of 
transfer if a CD-ROM or DVD contains temporary records and where those 
records are located on the CD-ROM or DVD. The agency must also specify 
whether NARA should return the CD-ROM or DVD to the agency or dispose 
of it after copying the permanent records to an archival medium.
    (c) Remote or Internet-based File Transfers. Agencies may use 
remote or network transfer methods (e.g., File Transfer Protocol (FTP)) 
to transfer permanent electronic records to the National Archives of 
the United States only with NARA's approval. Several important factors 
may limit the use of remote transfers, including the number of records, 
record file size, and available bandwidth. Agencies must contact NARA 
to initiate the transfer discussions. Contact NARA by mail at National 
Archives and Records Administration; Special Media Records Division 
(RDS); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at 
[email protected] (for digital photographs) or 
[email protected] (for electronic audiovisual records). For all 
other electronic records formats, contact NARA by mail at National 
Archives and Records Administration; Electronic Records Division (RDE); 
8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email 
[email protected]">at[email protected]. Agencies must submit an approved Transfer 
Request (TR) in the Electronic Records Archives (ERA) (or an Standard 
Form (SF) 258, Agreement to Transfer Records to the National Archives 
of the United States if special circumstances merit use) prior to each 
transfer of electronic records via remote transfer.
    (d) Other Media. NARA may accept records for transfer on media not 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section. This includes select 
magnetic tape formats and external hard drives. Contact NARA by mail at 
National Archives and Records Administration; Electronic Records 
Division (RDE); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by 
email [email protected]">at[email protected] to ask if the National Archives is able to 
accept an alternate type of media.


Sec.  1235.50  What transfer specifications and standards apply to 
electronic records?

    (a) General. Agencies must transfer all digital or electronic 
records to the National Archives of the United States in digital or 
electronic form. Agencies must transfer adequate documentation, 
including metadata, to identify, service, and interpret the permanent 
electronic records. See NARA's Transfer Guidance at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html for 
information about adequate documentation for transferring electronic 
records.
    (b) Data files. Documentation for data files and databases must 
include record layouts, data element definitions, and code translation 
tables (codebooks) for coded data. Data element definitions, codes used 
to represent data values, and interpretations of these codes must match 
the actual format and codes as transferred.
    (c) Digital geospatial data files. Digital geospatial data files 
must include the documentation specified in paragraph (b) of this 
section. In addition, documentation for digital geospatial data files 
can include metadata that

[[Page 45255]]

conforms to the Federal Geographic Data Committee's Content Standards 
for Digital Geospatial Metadata, as specified in Executive Order 12906 
of April 11, 1994 (3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 882). Federal geographic data 
standards are available at: http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/standards_publications.


Sec.  1235.52  What transfer specifications and standards apply to 
textual records?

    (a) Whenever agencies transfer textual records to the National 
Archives of the United States, they must provide the following:
    (1) A folder title list or equivalent detailed records description, 
attached to the Electronic Records Archives (ERA) Transfer Request (TR) 
or Standard Form (SF) 258, Agreement to Transfer Records to the 
National Archives of the United States at time of submission to NARA; 
and
    (2) Any indexes (textual or electronic) or other materials existing 
at the time of transfer that are used for finding, managing, or 
retrieving the records, and any other documentation needed or useful 
for identifying or using the records.
    (b) Agencies must pack records in NARA-recognized/approved document 
storage containers (for further guidance, see http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/accessioning/).


Sec.  1235.54  How do agencies transfer permanent textual records to 
the National Archives of the United States?

    (a) Agencies may transfer custody to the National Archives of the 
United States of permanent textual records that reach eligibility for 
disposition by submitting an Electronic Records Archive (ERA) Transfer 
Request (TR). NARA may choose to accept an Standard Form (SF) 258, 
Agreement to Transfer Records to the National Archives of the United 
States if special circumstances merit use. On all offers of permanent 
records, NARA determines whether requested restrictions are acceptable.
    (b) If the agency stores permanent textual records at a Federal 
Records Center (FRC), the FRC Inter-Agency Agreement also governs the 
transfer of those permanent records.


Sec.  1235.56  How do agencies transfer permanent electronic records to 
the National Archives of the United States using the Electronic Records 
Archives (ERA)?

    Once NARA approves a Transfer Request (TR) in ERA, agencies may 
ingest electronic records against that ERA TR. However, NARA encourages 
agencies to continue to provide electronic records to the National 
Archives of the United States in accordance with format guidance at 
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html. 
NARA can then review, process, and ingest the electronic records 
against the approved ERA TR on the agency's behalf. Agencies should 
ingest electronic records against an approved ERA TR only after 
consultation at [email protected].

PART 1236--ELECTRONIC RECORDS MANAGEMENT

Subpart A--[Amended]

0
2. Revise the authority citation for part 1236 to read as follows:

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 2904, 2911, 3101, 3102, and 3105.

0
3. Remove and reserve Sec.  1236.1.


Sec.  1236.1  [Reserved]

0
4. Revise Sec.  1236.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  1236.2  What definitions apply to this part?

    In addition to the definitions in part 1220 that apply to all of 
subchapter B, including this part, the following definitions apply only 
to part 1236:
    Electronic information system means an information system that 
contains and provides access to electronic Federal records and other 
information.
    Electronic messages means email and other electronic messages that 
are used for purposes of communicating between individuals.
    Electronic messaging account means any account that sends or 
receives electronic messages.
    Email system means a system used to create, receive, and transmit 
electronic messages and other digital or electronic documents. This 
definition does not include file transfer utilities (software that 
transmits files between users but does not retain any transmission 
data), data systems that collect and process data which has been 
organized into data files or databases on computers, and word 
processing or other digital or electronic documents not transmitted by 
email.
    Unstructured electronic records means records created using office 
automation applications, such as word processing applications or 
presentation software.
0
20. Revise Sec.  1236.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  1236.4  What publications are incorporated by reference in this 
part?

    (a) NARA incorporates certain material by reference into this part 
with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that 
specified in this section, NARA must publish a document in the Federal 
Register and the material must be available to the public. You may 
inspect all approved material incorporated by reference at NARA's 
textual research room, located at National Archives and Records 
Administration; 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2000; College Park, MD 20740-
6001. To arrange to inspect this approved material at NARA, contact 
NARA's Regulations Comment Desk (Strategy & Performance Division (SP)) 
by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 301-837-
3023. All approved material is available from the sources listed below. 
You may also inspect approved material at the Office of the Federal 
Register (OFR). For information on the availability of this material at 
the OFR, call 202-741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (b) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The following standards 
are available from the Internet Engineering Task Force; c/o Association 
Management Solutions, LLC (AMS); 48377 Freemont Blvd., Suite 117; 
Freemont, CA 94538, (510) 492-4080.
    (1) Request for Comments (RFC) 5322, Internet Message Format, 
October 2008. IBR approved for Sec.  1236.22(b).
    (2) [Reserved]


Sec.  1236.6  [Removed]

0
5. Remove Sec.  1236.6.
0
6. Revise subpart B, Records Management and Preservation Considerations 
for Designing and Implementing Electronic Information Systems to read 
as follows:

Subpart B--Records Management and Preservation Considerations for 
Designing and Implementing Electronic Information Systems

Sec.
1236.10 What records management controls must agencies establish for 
records in electronic information systems?
1236.12 What records management and preservation considerations must 
agencies incorporate into the design and operation of electronic 
information systems?
1236.14 What must agencies do to protect records against 
technological obsolescence?


Sec.  1236.10  What records management controls must agencies establish 
for records in electronic information systems?

    Agencies must incorporate records management controls into the 
electronic information system or integrate them into a recordkeeping 
system that is external to the information system itself

[[Page 45256]]

(see Sec.  1236.20 of this part). The following types of records 
management controls ensure that Federal records in the electronic 
system provide adequate and proper documentation of agency business 
until the approved retention time is past:
    (a) Reliability: Controls to ensure that the system keeps a full 
and accurate representation of all transactions, activities, or facts 
that occur in the system and that the agency can depend on the 
represented information in the course of subsequent transactions or 
activities;
    (b) Authenticity: Controls to protect against unauthorized 
addition, deletion, alteration, use, and concealment of transactions, 
activities, information, or records;
    (c) Integrity: Controls, such as audit trails, to ensure records 
are complete and unaltered;
    (d) Usability: Mechanisms to ensure the agency can locate, 
retrieve, present, and interpret records;
    (e) Content: Mechanisms to preserve the information contained 
within the record that the record's creator produced;
    (f) Context: Mechanisms to cross-reference related records that 
show the record's organizational, functional, and operational 
circumstances. These will vary depending on the agency's business, 
legal, and regulatory requirements; and
    (g) Structure: Controls to ensure the maintenance of the physical 
and logical format of the records and the relationships between the 
data elements.


Sec.  1236.12  What records management and preservation considerations 
must agencies incorporate into the design and operation of electronic 
information systems?

    As part of the capital planning and systems development life cycle 
processes, agencies must:
    (a) Plan and implement records management controls (see Sec.  
1236.10) in the system;
    (b) Be able to retrieve and use all records in the system until the 
agency no longer needs them to conduct business and until the NARA-
approved retention period expires. When agencies will need to retain 
records beyond the planned life of the system, they must also plan and 
budget for migration of records and their associated metadata. The 
migration plan must prevent loss of records due to media decay or 
technological obsolescence (see Sec.  1236.14);
    (c) Include contract provisions for the export of records at the 
end of a contract with third parties that have physical custody of 
agency records (including a cloud-based environment); and
    (d) Include processes for transferring permanent records to the 
National Archives of the United States in accordance with part 1235 of 
this subchapter.


Sec.  1236.14  What must agencies do to protect records against 
technological obsolescence?

    To successfully protect records against technological obsolescence, 
regardless of the storage environment and media, agencies must:
    (a) Determine if the NARA-approved retention period for the records 
will be longer than the life of the system. If so, agencies must 
migrate the records and their associated metadata before retiring the 
current system.
    (b) Ensure hardware and software are able to retain the electronic 
records' functionality and integrity regardless of the storage 
environment. To retain functionality and integrity, agencies must:
    (1) Keep the records in a usable format until their authorized 
disposition date. When the agency must convert records to migrate them, 
the agency must still be able to maintain and dispose of the records in 
the authorized manner after conversion;
    (2) Convert storage media to provide compatibility with current 
hardware and software as necessary; and
    (3) Maintain a link between records and their metadata when 
converting or migrating. This includes capturing all relevant 
associated metadata at the point of migration (for both the records and 
the migration process).

Subpart C--[Amended]

0
7. Revise Sec. Sec.  1236.20 through 1236.24 to read as follows:


Sec.  1236.20  What are appropriate recordkeeping systems for 
electronic records?

    Recordkeeping functionality may be built into the electronic 
information system, including email or other electronic messaging 
systems, or records can be transferred to an electronic recordkeeping 
repository. The following functionalities are necessary for electronic 
recordkeeping, and may be achieved through a combination of management 
policies and system controls:
    (a) Store and preserve Federal records and associated metadata. 
Allow the agency to retrieve and use all records in the system until 
the agency no longer needs them to conduct business and until the NARA-
approved retention period expires. Include procedures to migrate 
records and their associated metadata to new storage media or formats 
to avoid loss due to media decay or technology obsolescence;
    (b) Manage access and retrieval. Establish appropriate user rights 
to access, search, and retrieve records, and prevent unauthorized 
access, modification, or destruction of records. Include appropriate 
audit trails to track use of the records;
    (c) Execute disposition. Identify and transfer permanent records to 
the National Archives of the United States based on approved records 
schedules. Identify and destroy temporary records that are eligible for 
disposal. Apply records holds or freezes on disposition when required; 
and
    (d) Backup systems. System and file backup processes and media that 
do not provide the appropriate recordkeeping functionalities must not 
be used as the agency electronic recordkeeping system.


Sec.  1236.21  In addition to recordkeeping system requirements, what 
additional requirements apply to managing electronic messaging records?

    The additional requirements listed below apply to all electronic 
messaging records.
    (a) Employees should use non-official electronic messaging accounts 
only when agency-administered systems are unavailable, and never as a 
routine business practice.
    (b) Employees may not create or send a record using a non-official 
electronic messaging account unless the employee:
    (1) Copies their official electronic messaging account when they 
originally create or transmit the record; or
    (2) Forwards a complete copy of the record to their official 
electronic messaging account no later than 20 days after they 
originally create or transmit the record.
    (c) When employees receive a record in a non-official electronic 
messaging account, they must forward a complete copy of the electronic 
message to their official electronic messaging account no later than 20 
days after they receive the record.
    (d) If employees intentionally fail to follow these requirements, 
they may face adverse disciplinary actions in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
Ch. 75 (also see 44 U.S.C. 2911).


Sec.  1236.22  What are the additional requirements for managing email 
records?

    (a) All Federal agencies must manage permanent and temporary email 
records in an electronic format with the capability to identify, 
retrieve, and use the records for as long as their disposition 
requires.

[[Page 45257]]

    (b) Agencies must issue instructions for retaining and managing 
email records that include the following electronic recordkeeping 
requirements:
    (1) Email messages must comply with the commonly accepted 
specifications outlined in Request for Comments (RFC) 5322, Internet 
Message Format (incorporated by reference, see Sec.  1236.4). The 
record copy of the email message must include, at a minimum, subject, 
message body, address of sender and all addressee(s), and the time and 
date the message was sent and received;
    (2) Associate nicknames or aliases of agency-created accounts with 
the proper name of the employee responsible for the agency-generated 
emails; if an agency does not capture these in the header section, it 
must maintain records that allow the agency to do so;
    (3) Include the information necessary to identify, service, and 
interpret email records the agency transfers to the National Archives 
of the United States, in accordance with the requirements in paragraphs 
(b)(1) and (2) of this section and Sec.  1235.50 of this subchapter;
    (4) Preserve email message attachments that are part of the email 
record or linked to the email record with other related records; and
    (5) If the email system identifies users by codes or nicknames or 
identifies addressees only by the name of a distribution list, retain 
the intelligent or full names on directories or distribution lists to 
identify the sender and addressee(s) of messages that are records.
    (c) Agencies may elect to manage email records on the agency-
administered email system itself, provided that:
    (1) Users do not delete the messages before the NARA-approved 
retention period expires; and
    (2) The system's automatic deletion rules ensure it preserves the 
records until the NARA-approved retention period expires.


Sec.  1236.24  In addition to recordkeeping system requirements, are 
there additional requirements for managing unstructured electronic 
records?

    Agencies that manage unstructured electronic records must maintain 
the records in a recordkeeping system that meets the requirements in 
Sec.  1236.10.
0
8. Revise Sec.  1236.26(a) to read as follows:


Sec.  1236.26  What actions must agencies take to maintain electronic 
information systems?

    (a) Agencies must maintain inventories of electronic information 
systems and review the systems periodically for conformance to 
established agency procedures, standards, and policies as part of the 
periodic reviews required by 44 U.S.C. 3506. The review should 
determine if the agency has properly identified and described the 
records, and if the records schedule descriptions and retention periods 
reflect the current content and use. If not, agencies must submit a 
records schedule through NARA's Electronic Records Archive (ERA) 
records schedule system in accordance with part 1225 of this 
subchapter.
* * * * *
0
9. Revise Sec.  1236.28(c) and (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  1236.28  What additional requirements apply to the selection and 
maintenance of electronic records storage media for permanent records?

* * * * *
    (c) For additional guidance on maintaining and storing CDs and 
DVDS, agencies may consult the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology (NIST) Special Publication 500-252, Care and Handling of CDs 
and DVDs at: http://www.itl.nist.gov/iad/894.05/publications.html.
* * * * *
    (e) Agencies must annually read a statistical sample of electronic 
storage media that contains the record copy and backups of permanent 
and unscheduled records. Agencies must read and correct as appropriate 
all other electronic storage media which might have been affected by 
the same cause (e.g., poor-quality tape, high usage, poor environment, 
improper handling).
    (1) If agencies are maintaining magnetic computer tape libraries 
with 1800 or fewer tape media a 20 percent sample or a sample set of 50 
media, whichever is larger, should be read.
    (2) In magnetic computer tape libraries with more than 1800 media, 
agencies should read a sample of 384 media.
    (3) Agencies should replace magnetic computer tape media with 
errors and, when possible, restore lost data.
* * * * *
0
10. Revise part 1237 to read as follows:

PART 1237--MANAGING AUDIOVISUAL, CARTOGRAPHIC, AND RELATED RECORDS

Sec.
1237.1 What records management requirements apply to audiovisual, 
cartographic, and related records?
1237.3 What publications are incorporated by reference into this 
part?
1237.4 What definitions apply to this part?
1237.10 How must agencies manage their audiovisual, cartographic, 
and related records?
1237.12 What record elements must agencies create, preserve, and 
transfer for permanent audiovisual, cartographic, and related 
records?
1237.14 What are the additional scheduling requirements for 
audiovisual, cartographic, and related records?
1237.16 How do agencies store audiovisual records?
1237.18 What are the environmental standards for audiovisual records 
storage?
1237.20 How must agencies handle and maintain audiovisual records?
1237.22 How must agencies handle and maintain cartographic and 
related records?
1237.24 How must agencies handle and maintain aerial photographic 
records?
1237.26 What materials and processes must agencies use to create 
audiovisual records?
1237.28 How must agencies handle and maintain digital photographs?
1237.30 How must agencies handle and manage records on 
nitrocellulose-base and cellulose-acetate-base film?

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 2904 and 3101.


Sec.  1237.1  What records management requirements apply to 
audiovisual, cartographic, and related records?

    Agencies must manage audiovisual, cartographic, and related records 
in accordance with the common records management requirements in parts 
1220 through 1235 of this subchapter. In addition, this part prescribes 
requirements specific to managing audiovisual, cartographic, and 
related records to ensure adequate and proper documentation and 
authorized, timely, and appropriate disposition.


Sec.  1237.3  What publications are incorporated by reference into this 
part?

    (a) NARA incorporates certain material by reference into this part 
with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that 
specified in this section, NARA must publish a document in the Federal 
Register and must make the material available to the public. You may 
inspect all approved material incorporated by reference at NARA's 
textual research room, located at National Archives and Records 
Administration; 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2000; College Park, MD 20740-
6001. To arrange to inspect this approved material at NARA, contact 
NARA's Regulation Comments Desk (Strategy & Performance Division (SP)) 
by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 301-837-
3023. All approved material is available from the sources listed below. 
You may

[[Page 45258]]

also inspect approved material at the Office of the Federal Register 
(OFR). For information on the availability of this material at the OFR, 
call 202-741-6030 or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    (b) American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The following 
standards are available from American National Standards Institute; 25 
West 43rd St., 4th Floor; New York, NY 10036, or online at: http://webstore.ansi.org.
    (1) ANSI/AIIM TR34: 1996 (``ANSI/AIIM TR34''), Sampling Procedures 
for Inspection by Attributes of Images in Electronic Image Management 
and Micrographic Systems, May 13, 1996. IBR approved for Sec.  
1237.28(d).
    (2) ISO 2859-1: 1999 (``ISO 2859-1''), Sampling Procedures for 
Inspection by Attributes--Part 1: Sampling Schemes Indexed by 
Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) for Lot-by-Lot Inspection, Second 
Edition, November 15, 1999 (supplemented by Amendment 1, 2011). IBR 
approved for Sec.  1237.28(d).
    (3) ISO 18902: 2013 (``ISO 18902''), Imaging Materials--Processed 
Imaging Materials--Albums, Framing, and Storage Materials, Third 
Edition, July 1, 2013. IBR approved for Sec. Sec.  1237.16(b) and 
1237.22(f).
    (4) ISO 18906: 2000 (``ISO 18906''), Imaging Materials--
Photographic Films--Specifications for Safety Film, First Edition, 
December 15, 2000. IBR approved for Sec.  1237.26(a).
    (5) ISO 18911: 2010 (``ISO 18911''), Imaging Materials--Processed 
Safety Photographic Films--Storage Practices, Second Edition, September 
1, 2010. IBR approved for Sec. Sec.  1237.16(b) and (d) and 1237.18(a).
    (6) ISO 18920: 2011 (``ISO 18920''), Imaging Materials--Reflection 
Prints--Storage Practices, Second Edition, October 1, 2011. IBR 
approved for Sec.  1237.18(a).
    (7) ISO 18923: 2000 (``ISO 18923''), Imaging Materials--Polyester-
Base Magnetic Tape--Storage Practices, First Edition, June 1, 2000. IBR 
approved for Sec.  1237.18(b).
    (8) ISO 18925: 2013 (``ISO 18925''), Imaging Materials--Optical 
Disc Media--Storage Practices, Third Edition, February 1, 2013. IBR 
approved for Sec.  1237.18(c).
    (c) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The following 
standards are available from the National Fire Protection Association; 
1 Battery March Park; Quincy, MA 02269, by phone at (800) 344-3555, or 
online at: http://www.nfpa.org.
    (1) NFPA 40-2011 (``NFPA 40-2011''), Standard for the Storage and 
Handling of Cellulose Nitrate Film, 2011. IBR approved for Sec.  
1237.30(a).
    (2) [Reserved]


Sec.  1237.4  What definitions apply to this part?

    In addition to the definitions in part 1220 that apply to all of 
subchapter B including this part, the following definitions apply only 
to part 1237:
    Aerial photographic records means film-based images of the surface 
of the earth, of other planetary bodies, or of the atmosphere that have 
been taken from airborne vehicles or satellites. These records include:
    (1) Vertical and oblique aerial negative film as well as copy 
negatives, internegatives, rectified negatives, and annotated and other 
prints from these negatives;
    (2) Infrared, ultraviolet, multispectral, video, and radar imagery 
that has been converted to a film base; and
    (3) The relevant index system in whatever form it may exist, such 
as mosaics, flight-line overlays or annotated maps, or electronic 
databases capturing the latitude and longitude (or other coordinate-
based location data) of individual aerial photographic center points.
    Architectural and engineering records means graphic records that 
depict the proposed and actual construction of stationary structures 
(e.g. buildings, bridges, and canals) or movable objects (e.g., ships, 
aircraft, vehicles, weapons, machinery, and equipment). These records 
are also known as design and construction drawings and include closely-
related indexes and written specifications.
    Audiovisual means any pictorial or aural means of communicating 
information (e.g., photographic prints, negatives, slides, digital 
images, sound recordings, and moving images).
    Audiovisual equipment means equipment used to record, produce, 
duplicate, process, broadcast, distribute, store, or exhibit 
audiovisual materials or to provide any audiovisual services.
    Audiovisual production means an organized and unified presentation, 
developed according to a plan or script, containing visual imagery, 
sound, or both, and used to convey information. An audiovisual 
production generally is a self-contained presentation.
    Audiovisual records means records in pictorial or aural form, 
including still photographs and motion media (i.e., moving images 
whether on motion picture film or as video recordings), sound 
recordings, graphic works (e.g., printed posters), mixed media, and 
related finding aids and production files.
    Cartographic records means graphic representations drawn to scale 
of selected cultural and physical features of the surface of the earth, 
of other planetary bodies, and of the atmosphere. They include maps, 
charts, photomaps, orthophotomaps and images, atlases, cartograms, 
globes, and relief models. Related records are those that are integral 
to the map-making process, such as field survey notes, geodetic 
controls, map history case files, source material, indexes, and finding 
aids.


Sec.  1237.10  How must agencies manage their audiovisual, 
cartographic, and related records?

    Each Federal agency must manage its audiovisual, cartographic, and 
related records as required in parts 1220 through 1235 for all records. 
In addition, for these types of records, agencies must:
    (a) Prescribe the types of audiovisual, cartographic, and related 
records the agency creates and maintains;
    (b) Create and maintain current inventories showing the location of 
all generations of audiovisual records and all cartographic and related 
records, especially those not maintained centrally by the agency; and
    (c) For permanent electronic records, consult NARA's transfer 
guidance at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html.


Sec.  1237.12  What record elements must agencies create, preserve, and 
transfer for permanent audiovisual, cartographic, and related records?

    In general, the physical types described below comprise the minimum 
record elements that agencies must provide for future preservation, 
duplication, and reference.
    (a) Motion pictures.
    (1) For agency-sponsored or produced motion picture films (e.g., 
public information films), whether for public or internal use:
    (i) Original negative or color original plus separate optical sound 
track;
    (ii) Intermediate master positive or duplicate negative plus 
optical sound track; and
    (iii) Sound projection print and video recording, if one exists.
    (2) For agency-acquired motion picture films: two projection prints 
in good condition or one projection print and one videotape.
    (3) For unedited footage, other outtakes, and trims (the discards 
of film productions), which the agency must properly arrange, label, 
and describe, and which show un-staged, unrehearsed events of 
historical interest or historically significant phenomena:

[[Page 45259]]

    (i) Original negative or color original; and
    (ii) Matching print or videotape.
    (4) For digital cinema records: See NARA's transfer guidance 
relating to digital moving image files copied from analog film at: 
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html.
    (b) Video recordings.
    (1) For videotape: The original or earliest generation videotape 
and a copy for reference. Agencies must comply with requirements in 
Sec.  1237.26(c) for original videotapes, although agencies may 
transfer VHS, DVD, or other digital files as reference copies.
    (2) For video discs: The premaster videotapes used to manufacture 
the video disc and two copies of the disc. Agencies must consult NARA 
by mail at National Archives and Records Administration; Special Media 
Records Division (RDS); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, 
or by email at [email protected], before initiating transfers 
of video discs that depend on interactive software or non-standard 
equipment.
    (3) For digital video records: See NARA's transfer guidance 
relating to born-digital video files, or digital video files copied 
from analog video at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html.
    (c) Still pictures.
    (1) For analog black-and-white photographs: An original negative 
and a captioned print. The agency may maintain captioning information 
in hard copy or electronic form, such as a database or spreadsheet, if 
the agency ensures the caption-image number correlation is clear. If 
the original negative is on nitrate, or unstable acetate film base, the 
agency should also transfer a duplicate negative on a polyester base or 
a digital copy that meets, at minimum, the photographic scanning 
standards in NARA's Digital Photographic Transfer Guidance referenced 
in paragraph (d) of this section. NARA prefers that whenever possible, 
the digital copy meet the highest-level NARA Lab Services standards set 
forth at: https://www.archives.gov/preservation/products/definitions/photo-def.html.
    (2) For analog color photographs: The original color negative, 
color transparency, or color slide; a captioned print of the original 
color negative; a duplicate negative, slide, or transparency, if it 
exists; and, where the caption does not appear directly with the image, 
captioning information maintained in another file presenting a clear 
caption-image number correlation.
    (3) For slide sets: The original and a reference set, and the 
related audio recording (in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section) and script.
    (4) For other pictorial records, such as posters, original art 
work, and filmstrips: The original and a reference copy. Please note 
the National Archives of the United States is not the appropriate 
repository for original physical artwork (e.g., paintings and 
sculptures). Agencies may, however, transfer to the National Archives 
of the United States analog or digital photographic reproductions of 
the artwork meeting the requirements for analog photographs, listed 
above, or digital photographs, listed below.
    (d) Digital photographic records. See NARA's transfer guidance for 
digital photographic records at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html. See also Sec.  1237.14 (for transfer 
timing) and Sec.  1237.28 (for making imagery transferable).
    (e) Sound recordings.
    (1) For digital recordings: The origination recording regardless of 
form and a subsequent generation copy for reference.
    (2) For analog disc recordings: The master tape and two disc 
pressings of each recording (typically a vinyl copy for playback at 
33\1/3\ revolutions per minute (rpm)).
    (3) For analog audio recordings on magnetic tape (open reel, 
cassette, or cartridge): The original tape, or the earliest available 
generation of the recording, and a subsequent generation copy for 
reference.
    (f) Finding aids and production documentation. Agencies must 
transfer the following records to the National Archives of the United 
States with the audiovisual records to which they pertain:
    (1) Existing finding aids such as data sheets, shot lists, 
continuities, review sheets, catalogs, indexes, assignment logs, lists 
of captions, and other documentation needed or useful to identify or 
retrieve still images, graphic materials (posters), or audiovisual 
(moving and sound) records. Contact NARA by mail at National Archives 
and Records Administration; Special Media Records Division (RDS); 8601 
Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at 
[email protected] (for audiovisual records) and 
[email protected] (for digital still photographs) for 
information on transferring finding aids that do not meet the 
requirements of this part; and
    (2) Production case files or similar files that include copies of 
production contracts, scripts, transcripts, and appropriate 
documentation bearing on the origin, acquisition, release, and 
ownership of the production (including, among other examples, licensing 
agreements and use permission forms).
    (g) Maps and charts. This includes:
    (1) Manuscript maps; printed and processed maps on which manuscript 
changes, additions, or annotations have been made for record purposes 
or which bear manuscript signatures to indicate official approval; and 
single printed or processed maps that have been attached to or 
interfiled with other documents of a record character or in any way 
made an integral part of the record;
    (2) Master sets of printed or processed maps issued by the agency. 
A master set must include each edition of a printed or processed map 
issued;
    (3) Paper versions of computer-related and computer-plotted maps 
that can no longer be reproduced electronically;
    (4) Index maps, card indexes, lists, catalogs, or other finding 
aids that may be helpful in using the transferred maps; and
    (5) Records related to preparing, compiling, editing, or printing 
maps, such as manuscript field notebooks of surveys, triangulation and 
other geodetic computations, and project folders containing agency 
specifications for creating the maps.
    (h) Aerial photography and remote sensing imagery. This includes:
    (1) Vertical and oblique negative aerial film;
    (2) Annotated copy negatives, internegatives, rectified negatives, 
and glass plate negatives from vertical and oblique aerial film;
    (3) Annotated prints from aerial film;
    (4) Infrared, ultraviolet, multispectral (multiband), video, 
imagery radar, and related tapes, converted to a film base; and
    (5) Indexes and other finding aids in the form of photo mosaics, 
flight line indexes, coded grids, and coordinate grids. (Note that, 
with respect to aerial imagery on nitrate or unstable acetate-based 
film, the same agency copying requirements apply as those cited above 
under still pictures, paragraph (c)(1) of this section).
    (i) Architectural and related engineering drawings. This includes:
    (1) Design drawings, preliminary and presentation drawings, and 
models that document the evolution of the design of a building or 
structure;
    (2) Master sets of drawings that document both the initial design 
and construction and subsequent alterations of a building or structure. 
This category includes final working drawings, ``as-built'' drawings, 
shop drawings, and repair and alteration drawings;

[[Page 45260]]

    (3) Drawings of repetitive or standard details of one or more 
buildings or structures;
    (4) ``Measured'' drawings of existing buildings and originals or 
photocopies of drawings reviewed for approval; and
    (5) Related finding aids and specifications to be followed.
    (j) Digital geospatial formats and Computer Aided Design (CAD). See 
NARA's transfer guidance for digital geospatial formats and CAD at: 
http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html.


Sec.  1237.14  What are the additional scheduling requirements for 
audiovisual, cartographic, and related records?

    For better preservation and access, schedule audiovisual records 
for as short a retention period as possible to meet agency business 
needs. Agencies should schedule permanent audiovisual records for 
transfer to the National Archives of the United States:
    (a) Within 5-10 years after creation, in the case of unrestricted 
analog records or within 3-5 years after creation, in the case of 
unrestricted digital records (see 36 CFR part 1235 of this subchapter); 
and
    (b) In the case of restricted analog or digital records, agencies 
should consult with NARA regarding transfers at [email protected].


Sec.  1237.16  How do agencies store audiovisual records?

    Agencies must maintain appropriate storage conditions for 
permanent, long-term temporary, or unscheduled audiovisual records:
    (a) Ensure that audiovisual records storage facilities comply with 
part 1234 of this subchapter;
    (b) Use audiovisual storage containers or enclosures made of non-
corroding metal, inert plastics, paper products, and other safe 
materials recommended in ISO 18902 and ISO 18911 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  1237.3) to store permanent, long-term temporary, 
or unscheduled records;
    (c) Store originals and copies for use (e.g., negatives and prints) 
separately whenever practicable. Store distinct audiovisual record 
series separately from textual series (e.g., store poster series 
separately from other kinds of agency publications, or photographic 
series separately from general reference files). Retain intellectual 
control through finding aids, annotations, or other descriptive 
mechanisms;
    (d) Store series of permanent and unscheduled x-ray films (i.e., x-
rays that are not interspersed among paper records (case files)) in 
accordance with Sec.  1238.20 of this subchapter. Store series of 
temporary x-ray films under conditions that ensure they are preserved 
for their full scheduled retention period, in accordance with ISO 18911 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3);
    (e) Store posters and similar oversized graphic works in map cases, 
hanging files, or other enclosures that are sufficiently large or 
flexible to accommodate the records without rolling, folding, bending, 
or other treatment that compromises image integrity and stability; and
    (f) Store optical discs in individual containers and use felt-tip, 
water-based markers to label the discs.


Sec.  1237.18  What are the environmental standards for audiovisual 
records storage?

    (a) Photographic film and prints. The requirements in this 
paragraph apply to permanent, long-term temporary, and unscheduled 
audiovisual records:
    (1) Store polyester-base black-and-white film, and black-and-white 
photographic prints, in a climate-controlled environment at a constant 
temperature and humidity; as a best practice, at maximum 65 degrees 
Fahrenheit and between 30 and 40 percent relative humidity; and
    (2) Keep all non-polyester black-and-white film, color film on any 
base, and color photographic prints in climate-controlled cold storage, 
in order to retard fading of color images and deterioration of acetate-
base film. Maintain cold storage area at a constant temperature and 
humidity; as a best practice, at maximum 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit 
with 30 to 40 percent relative humidity. For more detailed, format- and 
process-specific requirements, see ISO 18911 and ISO 18920 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3). See also NARA Directive 
1571, Archival Storage Standards, at: www.archives.gov/foia/directives/nara/1571.pdf.
    (b) Analog, digital records on magnetic tape. For analog audio and 
video recordings and digital images stored on magnetic tape, keep in an 
area maintained at a constant temperature range of 62 to 68 degrees 
Fahrenheit, with constant relative humidity from 35 to 45 percent. See 
also the requirements for electronic records storage in Sec.  1236.28 
of this subchapter.
    (c) Digital images on optical media. For permanent, long-term 
temporary, or unscheduled digital images maintained on optical media 
(e.g., CDs, DVDs), use the storage temperature and humidity levels 
stated in ISO 18925 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3).


Sec.  1237.20  How must agencies handle and maintain audiovisual 
records?

    Agencies must:
    (a) Protect audiovisual records, including those recorded on 
digital media or magnetic sound or video media, from being accidentally 
or deliberately altered or erased;
    (b) If different versions of audiovisual productions (e.g., short 
and long versions or foreign-language versions) are prepared, keep an 
unaltered copy of each version for record purposes;
    (c) Link audiovisual records with their finding aids, including 
captions and published and unpublished catalogs, inventories, 
assignment logs, indexes, production files, and similar documentation 
created in the course of audiovisual production. Establish and 
communicate agency-wide, clear-captioning standards, procedures, and 
responsibilities;
    (d) Maintain current documentation identifying creators of 
audiovisual products, their precise relationship to the agency, and the 
nature and status of copyright or other rights affecting the present 
and future use of items acquired from sources outside the agency (see 
Sec.  1222.32 of this subchapter for requirements to ensure agency 
ownership of contractor-produced records);
    (e) For each audiovisual record, create unique identifiers that 
clarify connections and correlations between related elements (e.g., 
photographic prints and corresponding negatives, original analog 
photographs and corresponding digital versions, original edited masters 
and corresponding dubbing for video and audio recordings). Unique 
identifiers must also associate records with the relevant creating, 
sponsoring, or requesting offices. The caption-image numbering 
correlation must be clear and facilitate precise and efficient access 
(i.e., for digital files, use file naming conventions that ensure non-
repetition across directory structures);
    (f) Maintain temporary and permanent audiovisual records 
separately; and
    (g) Require that personnel wear white, lint-free cotton gloves (or 
other approved gloves, such as un-powdered nitrile) when handling film 
and photographic prints.
    (h) For more technical information on preservation strategies and 
options, consult with NARA at National Archives and Records 
Administration; Preservation Programs Division (RX) or Special Media 
Records Division (RDS); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001.

[[Page 45261]]

Sec.  1237.22  How must agencies handle and maintain cartographic and 
related records?

    Agencies must:
    (a) Maintain permanent and unscheduled cartographic, architectural, 
and engineering records in environments appropriate for the type of 
materials they are made of. Optimum environment for paper-based 
materials does not exceed 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with relative 
humidity under 50 percent. For film-based materials, see the targets in 
Sec.  1237.24(e), below. See also NARA Directive 1571, Archival Storage 
Standards, at: www.archives.gov/foia/directives/nara/1571.pdf.
    (b) Create an identification scheme for each series and assign 
unique identification designations to each item within a series;
    (c) Maintain lists or indexes for each series with cross-references 
to related textual records;
    (d) Avoid interfiling separate series of maps, charts, or drawings;
    (e) File permanent cartographic and architectural records 
separately from temporary series, except that the agency may 
systematically file hand-corrected versions with other published maps 
in a central or master file;
    (f) Avoid rolling and folding maps and drawings. Store permanent 
maps and drawings flat in shallow-drawer map cases in acid-free folders 
compliant with ISO 18902 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3); 
and
    (g) Not laminate original oversized records. Consult NARA by mail 
at National Archives and Records Administration; Preservation Programs 
Division (RX); 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, for 
preservation, storage, and treatment options.


Sec.  1237.24  How must agencies handle and maintain aerial 
photographic records?

    Agencies must:
    (a) Mark each aerial film container with a unique identification 
code to facilitate identification and filing;
    (b) Mark aerial film indexes with the unique aerial film 
identification codes or container codes for the aerial film that they 
index. Also, file and mark the aerial indexes in such a way that the 
agency can easily retrieve them by area covered;
    (c) Store aerial film negative rolls in inert plastic containers 
upright on shelves, and assign identification codes to each roll of 
film;
    (d) Wear white, lint-free cotton gloves (or other approved gloves, 
such as unpowdered nitrile) to handle film; and
    (e) Store film in a climate-controlled environment at a constant 
temperature and humidity, ideally:
    (1) Maximum 65 degrees Fahrenheit and between 30 and 40 percent 
relative humidity for polyester-base black-and-white film; and
    (2) Maximum 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and between 30 and 40 
percent relative humidity for acetate-base film and color film on any 
base. For more detailed, format- and process-specific requirements, see 
ISO 18911 (incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3). See also NARA 
Directive 1571, Archival Storage Standards, at: www.archives.gov/foia/directives/nara/1571.pdf.


Sec.  1237.26  What materials and processes must agencies use to create 
audiovisual records?

    (a) For still picture and motion picture preprints (e.g., 
negatives, masters, and all other copies) of permanent, long-term 
temporary, or unscheduled records, use polyester-base media, and 
process in accordance with the industry standards in ISO 18906 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3).
    (b) When reproducing excerpts or stock footage, avoid using motion 
pictures in a final ``A & B'' format (i.e., two precisely matched reels 
designed to be printed together).
    (c) Use only industrial- or professional-grade photographic cameras 
and equipment, video and audio recording equipment, new and previously 
unrecorded magnetic tape stock, blank optical media (e.g., DVD and CD), 
or magnetic media (hard drives) for the record copy of all permanent, 
long-term temporary, or unscheduled imagery and recordings. Limit the 
use of consumer formats to distribution or reference copies or to 
subjects scheduled for destruction. Avoid using videocassettes in the 
VHS format as originals for permanent or unscheduled records.
    (d) Record permanent, long-term temporary, temporary, or 
unscheduled audio recordings on optical media from major manufacturers. 
Avoid using cassettes as originals for permanent records or unscheduled 
records (although agencies may use them for reference copies).
    (e) For born-digital or scanned digital images that are scheduled 
as permanent or unscheduled, a record (or master) version of each image 
must be comparable in quality to a 35mm film negative or better. The 
Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) and the JPEG File Interchange Format 
(JFIF, JPEG) are well-established examples of formats appropriate for 
saving permanent and unscheduled digital photographs.
    (f) As a general rule, create such images at a resolution reaching 
or approximating at least 3000 pixels on the longest dimension.
    (g) For temporary digital photographs, agencies select formats they 
deem most suitable to fulfill business needs.
    (h) For further information about preferred and acceptable formats 
and versions, see NARA's transfer guidance at: http://www.archives.gov/records-mgmt/policy/transfer-guidance.html.


Sec.  1237.28  How must agencies handle and maintain digital 
photographs?

    Digital photographs, either originating in digital form (``born-
digital'') or scanned from photographic prints, slides, and negatives, 
are subject to the provisions of this part and the requirements of part 
1236 of this subchapter. Agencies must:
    (a) Schedule digital photographs and related databases as soon as 
possible for the minimum retention period the agency requires to meet 
its business needs, and transfer records promptly according to the 
disposition instructions on the records schedule;
    (b) Select image management and related database management 
software and hardware that meet long-term archival requirements, 
National Archives and Records Administration's transfer standards, and 
business needs. Agencies must be able to export images and related data 
in formats compatible with NARA systems. For additional information and 
assistance, contact NARA by mail at National Archives and Records 
Administration; Special Media Records Division (RDS); 8601 Adelphi 
Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at 
[email protected];
    (c) Build redundancy into storage systems (i.e., back up image 
files through on-line, off-line, or combination approaches) when 
developing digital image storage strategies (see electronic storage 
requirements in Sec.  1236.28 of this subchapter);
    (d) Document the quality control inspection process the agency 
employs when scanning digital images of photographic prints, slides, 
and negatives that are scheduled as permanent or are unscheduled. As 
part of the process:
    (1) Visually inspect a sample of the images for defects, evaluate 
finding aid accuracy, verify file header information and file name 
integrity; and
    (2) Conduct the sample using a volume sufficiently large to yield 
statistically valid results, in accordance with one of the quality 
sampling methods presented in ANSI/AIIM TR34 and ISO 2859-1 
(incorporated by reference; see Sec.  1237.3);

[[Page 45262]]

    (e) Periodically inspect born-digital images scheduled as 
permanent, long-term temporary, or unscheduled, using sampling methods 
or more comprehensive verification systems (e.g., checksum programs), 
to evaluate image file stability, documentation quality, and finding 
aid reliability. Agencies must also establish procedures to refresh 
digital data (recopying) and to migrate files, especially for images 
and databases retained for five years or longer;
    (f) Designate a record set of images to maintain separately from 
other versions. Do not subject record sets of permanent or unscheduled 
images that have already been compressed once (e.g., compressed TIFF or 
first-generation JPEG) to further changes in image size;
    (g) Organize record images in logical series. Group permanent 
digital images separately from temporary digital images or designate 
images as permanent or temporary in a metadata field designed for that 
purpose;
    (h) Document information about digital photographic images as the 
agency produces them. Embed descriptive elements in each permanent or 
unscheduled image's file header or capture descriptive elements in a 
separate database accompanying the image series. Descriptive elements 
must include:
    (1) A unique identification number;
    (2) Information about image content (i.e., basic ``who,'' ``what,'' 
``where,'' ``when,'' ``why'' captioning data);
    (3) Photographer's identity and organizational affiliation;
    (4) Existence of any copyright or other potential restrictions on 
image use; and
    (5) Technical data, including file format and version, bit depth, 
image size, camera make and model, compression method and level, and 
custom or generic color profiles (ICC/ICM profile), among other 
elements. In this regard, verify the extent of the Exchangeable Image 
File Format (EXIF) information embedded automatically by digital 
cameras and scanners;
    (i) Provide a unique file name to identify the digital image; and
    (j) Develop finding aids sufficiently detailed to ensure the agency 
can efficiently and accurately retrieve images. Ensure that the agency 
can use indexes, caption lists, and assignment logs to identify and 
chronologically cut off blocks of images for transfer to the National 
Archives of the United States.


Sec.  1237.30  How must agencies handle and manage records on 
nitrocellulose-base and cellulose-acetate-base film?

    (a) The nitrocellulose base, a substance akin to gun cotton, is 
chemically unstable and highly flammable. Agencies must handle 
nitrocellulose-base film (used in the manufacture of sheet film, 35mm 
motion pictures, aerial and still photographs into the 1950s) as 
specified below:
    (1) Segregate nitrocellulose film materials (e.g., 35mm motion 
picture film and large series of still pictures) from other records in 
storage areas;
    (2) Immediately notify NARA by mail at National Archives and 
Records Administration; Special Media Records Division (RDS); 8601 
Adelphi Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at 
[email protected] (for still photographs) or 
[email protected] (for motion picture film). If NARA appraises 
nitrate film materials as disposable and the agency wishes to retain 
them, the agency must follow the standard NFPA 40-2011 (incorporated by 
reference; see Sec.  1237.3); and
    (3) Follow the packing and shipping standards for nitrate film as 
specified in Department of Transportation regulations (49 CFR 172.101, 
Hazardous materials table; 172.504, Transportation; 173.24, Standard 
requirements for all packages; and 173.177, Motion picture film and X-
ray film--nitrocellulose base). Carry out nitrate film disposal in 
accordance with the relevant hazardous waste disposal regulations in 40 
CFR, parts 260 through 282.
    (b) Inspect cellulose-acetate film periodically (at least once 
every five years) for acetic odor, wrinkling, or crystalline deposits 
on the edge or surface of the film, which indicate deterioration. 
Agencies must notify NARA about deteriorating permanent or unscheduled 
audiovisual records composed of cellulose acetate immediately after 
inspection, so the agency can copy the records prior to transferring 
the original and duplicate film to the National Archives of the United 
States. Notify NARA by mail at National Archives and Records 
Administration; Special Media Records Division (RDS); 8601 Adelphi 
Road; College Park, MD 20740-6001, or by email at 
[email protected] (for still photographs) or 
[email protected] (for motion picture film).

    Dated: June 28, 2016.
David S. Ferriero,
Archivist of the United States.
[FR Doc. 2016-15848 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7515-01-P