§ 159a.16 - Duration of original classification.

(a) General. When a determination is made by an official with authority to classify originally information as Top Secret, Secret, or Confidential, such official must also determine how long the classification shall remain in effect.

(b) Duration of Classification. (1) Information shall be classified as long as required by national security considerations.

(2) When it can be determined, a specific date or event for declassification shall be set by the original classification authority at the time the information is classified originally. Such dates or events shall be consistent with national security. Any event specified for declassification shall be an event certain to occur.

(3) Original classification authorities may not be able to predetermine a date or event for automatic declassification in which case they shall provide for the indefinite duration of classification.

(4) Information classified under predecessor orders and marked for declassification review shall remain classified until reviewed for declassification under the provisions of this part.

(c) Subsequent Extension of Duration of Classification. The duration of classification specified at the time of original classification may be extended only by officials with requisite original classification authority and only if all known holders of the information can be notified of such action before the date or event previously set for declassification. Any decision to continue classification of information designated for automatic declassification under E.O. 12065 or predecessor orders, other than on a document-by-document basis, shall be reported to the DUSD(P) who shall, in turn, report to the Director, ISOO.