§ 2.8 - Limitations on classification [1.6(c)].

(a) Before reclassifying information as provided in section 1.6(c) of the Order, authorized officials, who must have original classification authority and jurisdiction over the information involved, shall consider the following factors which shall be addressed in a report to the Assistant Secretary (Management) who shall in turn forward a report to the Director of the Information Security Oversight Office:

(1) The elapsed time following disclosure;

(2) The nature and extent of disclosure;

(3) The ability to bring the fact of reclassification to the attention of persons to whom the information was disclosed;

(4) The ability to prevent further disclosure; and

(5) The ability to retrieve the information voluntarily from persons not authorized access in its reclassified state.

(b) Information may be classified or reclassified after it has been requested under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), or the mandatory declassification review provisions of the Order if such classification meets the requirements of the Order and is accomplished personally and on a document-by-document basis by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Deputy Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (Management) or an official with original Top Secret classification authority. Such reclassification actions shall be reported in writing to the Departmental Director of Security.

(c) In no case may information be classified or reclassified in order to conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; to prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or agency; to restrain competition; or to prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection in the interest of national security.