Why a management system for records?

The ISO 30300 series of Management Systems for Records (MSR) standards was initiated to:

• link records management to organizational success and accountability
• provide management with tools to implement a systematic and verifiable approach to the creation and control of records
• support the records management and documentation requirements of organizations implementing other management systems standards, such as risk, quality, and social responsibility.

A ‘management system’ is the way in which an organization manages the interrelated parts of its business in order to achieve its objectives.  An MSR is a ‘management system to govern records. The ISO 30300 series of standards form part of the ISO management systems standards (MSS). These standards establish common repeatable steps that organizations consciously implement to achieve their goals and objectives and to create an organizational culture that reflexively engages in a continuous cycle of self-evaluation, correction and improvement of operations and processes through heightened employee awareness and management leadership and commitment. One of the fundamental principles is that all MSS standards can work together in an integrated approach.

The ISO 30300 series are closely related to ISO 15489 Records management: Concepts and principles, describing a governance framework for implementing best practices for managing records. Relationships with other standards, technical specifications and technical reports published by ISO TC46/SC11 are shown in the figure.

There are two different standards in the series:

ISO 30302:2022 Management systems for records - Guidelines for implementation gives guidance for the implementation of an MSR compliant with ISO 30301. It describes the activities to be undertaken when designing, implementing, and monitoring an MSR.

ISO 30301 series are designed to assist organizations of all types and sizes, or groups of organizations with shared business activities, to implement, operate and improve an effective governance framework for managing records.