These guiding principles are produced as part of the Keeper of Public Records’ statutory responsibility to provide guidance, coordination and supervision, under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 (s3).
Public records bodies are responsible for appraising their records for permanent preservation; The National Archives guides, co-ordinates and supervises the process on behalf of the Keeper.
Before transferring selected records to The National Archives or to a Place of Deposit, departments must carry out a sensitivity review.