Reliable evidence
Records you can rely on in audits, disputes and investigations.
Certification support
ISO 30301 Management Systems for Records
Current edition: ISO 30301:2019
The management system standard for records. It ensures that the records an organisation needs as evidence of its activities are created, controlled and kept for as long as they are needed, and disposed of when they are not.
What the standard covers
What a records management system controls
ISO 30301 sets requirements for the system; ISO 15489 provides the records concepts and practices behind it.
Records policy
Commitment and policy for creating and managing records.
Records requirements
Which records are needed for business, legal and accountability purposes.
Creation and capture
Records created at the right time with the right metadata.
Access and security
Access rights and protection appropriate to each record.
Retention
Retention periods based on legal and business needs.
Disposition
Authorised destruction or transfer when retention ends.
Systems
Records systems, including digital systems, designed and maintained.
Monitoring
Checks that records remain authentic, reliable and usable.
Why organisations implement it
What a records management system delivers
Legal compliance
Retention and disposition aligned with legal obligations.
Lower storage cost
Records kept only as long as needed.
Faster retrieval
Information found when it is needed.
Digital readiness
Records controlled in digital and hybrid systems.
Supports security and privacy
Works with ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701.
How we work
Path to certification
One AEC methodology from first assessment to certificate, delivered by registered lead auditors.
- AssessGap assessment against ISO 30301, scope and roadmap
- DesignProcesses, risk register, policy and documented information
- ImplementProcesses embedded with coaching for process owners
- TrainAwareness for all staff and internal auditor development
- VerifyInternal audit, management review and mock certification audit
- Certify & sustainStage 1 and Stage 2 support, then surveillance readiness
Full implementation
No existing system. We design and implement from the ground up.
Typically 6 to 9 monthsGap remediation
Some documentation in place. We close the gaps and prove effectiveness.
Typically 4 to 6 monthsUpgrade & integration
We integrate records management with ISO/IEC 27001 or ISO 9001.
Typically 3 to 5 months
Who certifies
Independent certification, chosen to fit your market
Your ISO 30301 certificate is issued by an independent certification body accredited by UKAS, DAkkS or an equivalent national accreditation body. AEC prepares you for that audit; the certification decision is theirs.
CB-neutral
We are not tied to one certification body and help you select one that your stakeholders recognise.
Audit-ready
Mock certification audit and closed corrective actions before Stage 1 and Stage 2.
No guarantees
We prepare you thoroughly and never promise an outcome only an independent auditor can decide.
Where it applies
ISO 30301 by industry
Government · public records and archives
Finance · regulated record keeping
Healthcare · clinical and patient records
Education · student and research records
Related standards
Questions
ISO 30301 FAQ
Does AEC issue the ISO 30301 certificate?
No. Certificates are issued by independent certification bodies accredited by a national accreditation body. AEC prepares your organisation for that audit.
How does ISO 30301 relate to ISO 15489?
ISO 15489 sets out the concepts and principles of records management. ISO 30301 sets auditable requirements for a management system that applies them.
Does it cover electronic records?
Yes. It applies to records in any format, including digital and hybrid systems.
Can it be combined with ISO/IEC 27001?
Yes. Both use the harmonized structure, and records management supports information security and privacy obligations.
Start your ISO 30301 programme
Tell us your record types, systems and obligations. We reply with a proposal covering gap assessment, implementation and certification support.
Certification decisions are made by independent, accredited certification bodies. AEC prepares organisations for certification and does not guarantee certification outcomes.