Retention policy
Retaining and disposing of information is an important part of managing records within HSE.
Records are important, as they are often a unique source of evidence and information about HSE's activities and decision making. However, clearly it would be impossible and unnecessary to keep all records forever and as records reach the end of their administrative life they are subject to formal disposal procedures. HSE has developed a record retention policy to underpin these disposal arrangements, based on the following principles:
- legal requirement
- historical value and transfer to The National Archive
- business requirement including the need for transparency and accountability
The HSE Business Classification Scheme and Retention Schedule outlines our objectives and criteria for organising and managing information. It also explains the policy framework and process for appraising records generally.
If your enquiry relates to the Gas Safe Register, please note that some records stored as part of the Gas Safe Register have an adjusted Retention and Disposal Schedule which is also available on this page.
20-year rule
The 20-year rule is a key part of the government's transparency agenda and The National Archives is helping to manage the earlier release of the public record.
In September 2012, HSE and other government bodies who transfer records to The National Archives provided data on the volume and transfer status of the records they hold that date up to 1984. The transition to a 20-year rule took place over ten years and this type of data is now continually collected by The National Archives and published on their website. Further information on the 20-year rule is available from The National Archive.