Code of Federal Regulations Title 36. Parks, Forests, and Public Property § 36.1227.12 When must agencies apply the GRS?

(1) The new or revised GRS states that the provisions must be followed without exception

All agencies must follow the disposition instructions of the GRS, regardless of whether or not they have existing schedules.

(2) Your agency does not have an existing schedule for these records.

Your agency must follow the disposition instructions of the GRS. If your agency's needs require a different retention period, then your agency must submit an SF 115 in accordance with 36 CFR part 1225 of this subchapter, and a justification for the deviation.

(3) When your agency has an existing schedule and the new or revised GRS permits use of existing agency-specific schedules

Your agency may follow the disposition instructions in either the GRS or the existing agency schedule, but it must follow the same instructions throughout the agency and instruct its staff to do so. If your agency chooses to follow its own schedule, then it must notify NARA within 120 days of the issuance of the new or revised GRS.

(4) Your agency does not create or maintain any of the records addressed by that GRS

No action is required.