ISO 30301-2019 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 30301:2019 — Information and documentation — Management systems for records — Requirements. This International Standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving a management system for records (MSR) to support an organisation's mandate, strategy and operational needs, and to enable measurement, monitoring and (where desired) third‑party certification.

Abstract

ISO 30301:2019 sets out requirements for a records management system that aligns with common management‑system principles (context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation and improvement). It addresses development and implementation of a records policy and objectives, identification of records requirements, design and implementation of records processes, controls and systems, and ways to demonstrate conformity by self‑assessment, second‑party confirmation or third‑party certification.

General information

• Status: Published (current edition with amendment).
• Publication date: February 2019 (ISO 30301:2019; 2nd edition).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 01.140.20 (Information sciences — Records/archives/records management).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2019); Amendment 1 published February 2024 (corrected French text August 2024).
• Number of pages: 16 pages (main international standard document).

Scope

ISO 30301:2019 applies to any organisation (public, private or not‑for‑profit) that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve a management system for records (MSR) to support its business, ensure conformity with its stated records policy and demonstrate conformity with the standard through self‑assessment, external confirmation or certification. The standard is not limited by organisation size or sector and can be applied to single organisations or across multiple organisations that share business activities.

Key topics and requirements

• Governance and leadership: top management responsibilities for records policy, objectives and accountability.
• Context and risk: understanding organisational context and records requirements arising from laws, regulations, business processes and stakeholders.
• Planning: setting records objectives and planning to meet records requirements.
• Support and resources: competence, awareness, documentation and infrastructure needed to implement an MSR.
• Operational controls: determining records to be created, designing and implementing records processes, controls and systems (including retention, access, metadata and disposal controls).
• Performance evaluation: monitoring, measurement, internal audit and management review of the MSR.
• Improvement: addressing nonconformities, corrective action and continual improvement of records practices.
• Options for demonstrating conformity: self‑assessment/self‑declaration, confirmation by an external party or certification by an accredited body.
• Interoperability: alignment with other management system standards and guidance for integration with related frameworks (for example information security and quality management).

Typical use and users

Used by records and information managers, archivists, compliance and legal teams, IT and information security professionals, risk and governance officers, consultants and auditors. Typical applications include establishing organisation‑wide records governance, meeting regulatory and evidential requirements, improving operational efficiency, and providing a framework for certifying records management practices.

Related standards

Key related documents include ISO 30300 (core concepts and vocabulary; latest edition 2020), ISO 30302 (guidelines for implementation; latest edition 2022), ISO 15489‑1 (Records management — Part 1: Concepts and principles, 2016), and other management and information standards commonly used in combination such as ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management) where integration of records controls and information security is required.

Keywords

records management, management system for records (MSR), information governance, records policy, records controls, metadata, retention, compliance, certification, ISO 30300 series, archives

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 30301:2019 is the International Standard that defines requirements for a management system for records (MSR) so organisations can consistently create, capture and manage records needed to support business, legal and regulatory obligations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers governance, context and risk, planning, resources, operational controls for records creation/capture/retention/disposal, performance evaluation, corrective actions and continual improvement — and provides mechanisms to demonstrate conformity and obtain certification.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Records managers, archivists, compliance/legal teams, IT and security staff, auditors and consultants in organisations of all sizes and sectors that need structured records governance and evidentiary control.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The current edition is ISO 30301:2019 (2nd edition), published February 2019. An amendment (ISO 30301:2019/Amd 1) was published in February 2024 (with a corrected French text in August 2024). As of March 1, 2026 the 2019 edition with the 2024 amendment remains the published version; the ISO work programme indicates ongoing review activities for the series.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 30301 is part of the ISO 30300 series (management systems for records). Core vocabulary and principles are in ISO 30300, implementation guidance in ISO 30302, and ISO 15489 provides complementary concepts and principles for records management practice.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Records management, MSR, records policy, metadata, retention schedule, records controls, certification, information governance.