Framework of Standards for archives

17 June 04

On 28 November 2003 The National Archives launched a consultation exercise on proposals for a new framework of standards. (320kb) Our intention was to develop such a framework in order to inform the inspection and advisory services which The National Archives offers. Responses to the consultation have given strong support to our proposal and we are now preparing to pilot-test the Framework.

The principal aim of developing the Framework was to ensure that the best possible advice and guidance is available from The National Archives to all who share our concern for the care and preservation of records and archives. We are keen to ensure that our standards are useful and relevant to all archive services, record-holding bodies, and owners and users of archives and other records.

The consultation period ended on 27 February 2004, and a brief summary of responses (31kb) and action points has been prepared. All responses have been considered and have been extremely helpful in steering our development of the new framework of standards

Our new framework of standards, incorporating suggestions made by consultation respondents, has now been drawn together. This framework of standards(28kb), as proposed in our consultation paper, will inform and support a new National Archives standard for records repositories, which is currently being prepared by The National Archives inspection and advisory staff. The new standard will be very closely based on the existing HMC Standard for record repositories (3rd edition) and will also incorporate the public records guidance issued in our Beyond The PRO guidance circular.

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