Appointment of Naomi Korn Associates as consultant to developing Generally Recognised Standards for the data protection purpose “archiving purposes in the public interest”

In May 2025, following the introduction of the Data (Use and Access) Bill into the UK Parliament, ARA noted the requirement to agree “generally recognised standards” relating to the data protection purpose “archiving purposes in the public interest”. Together with other sector bodies ARA agreed to commission a specialist consultant to draft the generally recognised standards with the support of data protection specialists from the archive and records management sector. The proposal involves the sector and leading sector organisations to ensure that the resulting standards are adopted across the sector without objection.
 
The following partner organisations have all agreed with this proposal-
The UK National Archives
National Records of Scotland
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland
Welsh Government Culture Division
Information and Records Management Society
Business Archives Council
Scottish Council on Archives
Archives and Records Council Wales
British Records Association
 
As well as the ARA these organisations represent the archives and records management sector in the UK, both individuals and organisations.
 
The Information Commissioner’s Office has confirmed its support and will be involved as a consultee.
 
Naomi Korn Associates has now been appointed as the consultant and they will now draft what will become the generally recognised standards. The organisations listed above will provide input via nominated archivists and records managers with detailed and practical knowledge of data protection and archives and records. These representatives will be available for guidance and comment at the start of the project, at the interim report stage and at the final report stage.