Record Schedules

Records Classification and Retention Schedules

Record retention and classification schedules are the foundation of any effective records management program. A records schedule as defined in The Archives and Public Records Management Act, is a “formal plan that identifies the public records that are subject to the plan, establishes a classification system and retention periods for those records and provides for their disposition.” The classification system within schedules allows institutions to organize their records systematically and in a consistent manner. The retention requirements establish the time period for which records included in the classification plan must be retained to meet all legal, financial, administrative and fiscal requirements. Records schedules are required to legally dispose of public (government) records.