Overview
ISO 30301:2019 - Information and documentation: Management systems for records (MSR) - Requirements specifies the requirements for a management system that creates, controls and sustains records to support an organization’s mandate, mission, strategy and goals. Aligned with the ISO high‑level structure (HLS), ISO 30301 helps organisations establish a records policy and objectives, measure and monitor performance, and demonstrate conformity by self‑assessment, external confirmation or certification.
Keywords: ISO 30301, management systems for records, records management, records policy, MSR, certification
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 30301 follows the common MSS clause structure (Clauses 4–10) and covers technical areas that are essential to an effective MSR:
- Context and requirements: understanding organizational context, records requirements and interested parties (Clause 4).
- Leadership and policy: top management commitment, records policy and defined roles and responsibilities (Clause 5).
- Planning: risk and opportunity assessment, records objectives and planning to achieve them (Clause 6).
- Support: resources, competence, awareness, communication and documented information controls (Clause 7).
- Operation: operational planning, identifying records to be created, and designing/implementing records processes, controls and systems (Clauses 8.1–8.3). Annex A provides operational requirements for records processes and systems.
- Performance evaluation: monitoring, measurement, internal audit and management review (Clause 9).
- Improvement: nonconformity handling, corrective actions and continual improvement (Clause 10).
Technical focal points include documented information control, records lifecycle planning, evidence of business activities, traceability and measurement of MSR performance.
Applications and who should use it
ISO 30301 is applicable to any organization or group of organizations that needs to:
- establish, implement, maintain and improve a management system for records (MSR);
- ensure conformity with a stated records policy;
- demonstrate conformance via self‑declaration or third‑party certification.
Typical users and beneficiaries:
- senior management seeking transparency and accountability;
- records/information managers, archivists and compliance officers;
- IT, information security and risk management teams implementing records controls;
- auditors and legal teams requiring reliable evidence and business continuity.
Practical benefits include improved records retention and retrieval, legal and regulatory compliance, risk reduction, business continuity and better use of information as a strategic asset.
Related standards
- ISO 30300 - Fundamentals and vocabulary for MSR (companion to ISO 30301).
- ISO 15489 - Records management - foundational guidance that aligns with operational requirements.
- Compatibility with other ISO management system standards (due to HLS), enabling integrated management approaches.
