The records retention and disposal schedule (RRDS or schedule) prescribes records retention periods and disposal plans, can apply to records in any format and authorizes disposal of records in a legal manner. The RRDS can be for all records in an organization, or for the records of a specific branch or division. It can encompass all types of records within an organization, or may be limited to specific types or record series as they are sometimes called.

The RRDS (schedule) should include, at a minimum:

• Descriptions of the records covered by the schedule sufficient to allow users to understand which records are included.
• The retention periods of the records in all stages of their lifecycle: from active, through semi-active, to final disposal.
• Legally approved disposal for the records in the schedule – under the Management of Information Act and the Rooms Act, legal disposal means one of two things: either records are destroyed or they are transferred to The Rooms Provincial Archives for permanent preservation.
• Identification of Vital Records. These are records which are required to resume business of the organization in the event of catastrophe (e.g., Cabinet records, the documents describing the operations of essential IT systems, and the organization’s main financial systems).
• The identity of the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR). The OPR is the department or public body; or the division or section of a department or public body that created the record in the course of its mandate and that will be responsible for implementing and maintaining the schedule.

If you require assistance with RRDS, please contact the Planning and Service Delivery Committee (PSDC) Chair of your department or im@gov.nl.ca for information relating to IM Advisory Services.