---
kind: "section"
citation: "36 C.F.R. § 1230.10"
title: "36"
number: "1230.10"
heading: "Who is responsible for preventing the unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/36/1230.10"
---

# §1230.10. Who is responsible for preventing the unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records?


The heads of Federal agencies must:

- (a) **Prevent the unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records.** [Section 1222.24(a)(6)](/cfr/36/1222.24.md?p=a-6) of this subchapter prohibits removing records from the legal custody of the agency. Records must not be destroyed except under the provisions of NARA-approved agency records schedules or the General Records Schedules issued by NARA;
- (b) Take adequate measures to inform all employees and contractors of the provisions of the law relating to unauthorized destruction, removal, alteration or defacement of records;
- (c) Implement and disseminate policies and procedures to ensure that records are protected against unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration and destruction; and
- (d) **Direct that any unauthorized removal, defacing, alteration or destruction be reported to NARA.**

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3105 and 3106.

### Source

Source: 74 FR 51014, Oct. 2, 2009, unless otherwise noted.