TS ISO 15489-1

TS ISO 15489-1 is the standard that sets out the core concepts and principles of records management and explains the conceptual basis for approaches to the creation, capture, and management of records. In this context, records management is broader than simple filing: it is the discipline concerned with handling records so they remain reliable, traceable, and available when needed.

The role of concepts in records management

The focus of this part is less on step-by-step procedures and more on how records should be understood throughout their life in an organisation. A record can be viewed as information that supports an activity, decision, or transaction. Creation, capture, and management therefore work together: records are produced or received, then organised within their business context, preserved, and made available for later use. In general technical context, this matters for organisational memory, accountability, and operational continuity.

What this part provides as a technical framework

• a common conceptual basis for records management
• principles that guide the creation, capture, and management of records
• a general approach organisations can use when shaping their own records management practices
• a focus on keeping records meaningful, reliable, and accessible in their business context

TS ISO 15489-1 is not a detailed procedural manual for implementing every aspect of a records management system. Rather, it explains why such systems exist and the principles on which they should be based. As a result, it provides a reference framework that organisations in different sectors can adapt to their own processes; implementation details will vary according to organisational needs, risks, and the regulatory environment.