10 C.F.R. PART 1045—NUCLEAR CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION
Title 10 - Energy
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2011; E.O. 12958, 60 FR 19825, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 333.
Source: 62 FR 68509, Dec. 31, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
This subpart establishes responsibilities associated with this part, describes the Openness Advisory Panel, defines key terms, describes sanctions related to violation of the policies and procedures in this part, and describes how to submit suggestions or complaints concerning the Restricted Data classification and declassification program, and how to request procedural exceptions. This subpart applies to— (a) Any person with authorized access to RD or FRD; (b) Any agency with access to RD or FRD; and (c) Any person who might generate information determined to be RD or FRD. As used in this part: Agency means any “Executive Agency” as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105; any “Military Department” as defined in 5 U.S.C. 102; and any other entity within the executive branch that comes into possession of RD or FRD information or documents. Atomic Energy Act means the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). Authorized Holder means a person with the appropriate security clearance required to have access to classified information and the need to know the information in the performance of Government-approved activities. Automatic Declassification means the declassification of information or documents based solely upon: (1) The occurrence of a specific date or event as determined by the classifier; or (2) The expiration of a maximum time frame for duration of classification established under Executive Order 12958. Classification means the act or process by which information is determined to be classified information. Classification Guide means a written record of detailed instructions as to whether specific information is classified, usually concerning a system, plan, project, or program. It identifies information to be classified and specifies the level (and duration for NSI only) of classification assigned to such information. Classification guides are the primary basis for reviewing documents to determine whether they contain classified information. Classification Level means one of three designators: (1) Top Secret is applied to information (RD, FRD, or NSI), the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security that the appropriate official is able to identify or describe. (2) Secret is applied to information (RD, FRD, or NSI), the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause serious damage to the national security that the appropriate official is able to identify or describe. (3) Confidential. (i) For NSI, Confidential is applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national security that the appropriate official is able to identify or describe. (ii) For RD and FRD, Confidential is applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause undue risk to the common defense and security that the appropriate official is able to identify or describe. Classified Information means: (1) Information classified as RD or FRD under the Atomic Energy Act; or (2) Information determined to require protection against unauthorized disclosure under Executive Order (E.O.) 12958 or prior Executive Orders (also identified as National Security Information or NSI). Contractor means any industrial, educational, commercial or other entity, grantee or licensee at all tiers, including an individual, that has executed an agreement with the Federal Government for the purpose of performing under a contract, license or other agreement. Declassification means a determination by appropriate authority that information or documents no longer require protection, as classified information, against unauthorized disclosure in the interests of national security. Department or DOE means Department of Energy. Director of Declassification means the Department of Energy Director, Office of Declassification, or any person to whom the Director's duties are delegated. The Director of Declassification is subordinate to the Director of Security Affairs. Director of Security Affairs means the Department of Energy Director, Office of Security Affairs, or any person to whom the Director's duties are delegated. Document means the physical medium on or in which information is recorded, or a product or substance which contains or reveals information, regardless of its physical form or characteristics. Formerly Restricted Data (FRD) means classified information jointly determined by DOE and the DoD to be related primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons and removed (by transclassification) from the RD category pursuant to section 142(d) of the Atomic Energy Act. Government means the executive branch of the Federal Government of the United States. Government Information means information that is owned by, produced by or for, or is under the control of the U.S. Government. Information means facts, data, or knowledge itself, as opposed to the medium in which it is contained. Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) means a panel created pursuant to Executive Order 12958 to perform functions specified in that order with respect to National Security Information. National Security means the national defense or foreign relations of the United States. National Security Information (NSI) means information that has been determined pursuant to Executive Order 12958 or prior Executive Orders to require protection against unauthorized disclosure and is marked to indicate its classification status when in document form. NSI is referred to as “defense information” in the Atomic Energy Act. Nuclear weapon means atomic weapon. Person means: (1) Any individual, contractor, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, Government agency, any State, or any political subdivision thereof, or any political entity within a State; and (2) Any legal successor, representative, agent, or agency of the foregoing. Portion Marking means the application of certain classification markings to individual words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or sections of a document to indicate their specific classification level and category. Restricted Data (RD) means a kind of classified information that consists of all data concerning the following, but not including data declassified or removed from the RD category pursuant to section 142 of the Atomic Energy Act: (1) Design, manufacture, or utilization of atomic weapons; (2) Production of special nuclear material; or (3) Use of special nuclear material in the production of energy. Restricted Data Classifier means an individual who derivatively classifies RD or FRD documents. Within the DoD, RD classifiers may also declassify FRD documents. Restricted Data Management Official means an individual appointed by any agency with access to RD and FRD who is responsible for managing the implementation of this part within that agency or any person to whom these duties are delegated. This person may be the senior agency official required by E.O. 12958. Secretary means the Secretary of Energy. Source Document means a classified document, other than a classification guide, from which information is extracted for inclusion in another document. The classification of the information extracted is determined by the classification markings shown in the source document. Special Nuclear Material means plutonium, uranium enriched in the isotope 233 or in the isotope 235, and any other material which the Secretary determines to be special nuclear material pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act. (a) The DOE Director of Declassification shall: (1) Manage the Government-wide system for the classification and declassification of RD and FRD in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act; (2) In coordination with the DoD, develop regulations to implement the RD and FRD classification system; (3) Determine whether nuclear-related information is RD; (4) Oversee agency implementation of the RD and FRD classification system to ensure compliance with this part; (5) Review agency implementing policies and conduct on-site reviews of each agency's program established under this part; (6) Prepare and distribute classification guides concerning RD and FRD and review such guides developed by any agency; (7) Consider and take action on complaints and suggestions from any person with respect to administration of this program; and (8) Periodically meet with interested members of the public to solicit input for the classification and declassification program. (b) The DOE Director of Security Affairs shall: (1) Declassify RD which may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security; (2) Jointly with the DoD, determine which information in the RD category relating primarily to the miliary utilization of nuclear weapons may be declassified or placed into the FRD category; and (3) Jointly with the DoD, declassify FRD which may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security. (c) The DoD jointly with the DOE shall: (1) Determine which information in the RD category relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons may be declassified or placed into the FRD category; (2) Ensure that classification guides for FRD and RD relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons are prepared; and (3) Declassify FRD and RD relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons which may be published without undue risk to the common defense and security. (d) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) shall: (1) Jointly with the DOE, develop classification guides for programs over which both agencies have cognizance; and (2) Ensure the review and proper classification of RD by RD classifiers under this part, which is generated by the NRC or by its licensed or regulated facilities and activities. (e) Heads of Agencies with access to RD and FRD shall: (1) Ensure that RD and FRD are classified in such a manner as to assure the common defense and security in accordance with the policies established in this part; (2) Designate an RD management official to direct and administer the RD classification program within the agency; and (3) Promulgate implementing directives. (f) Agency RD management officials shall: (1) Jointly with the DOE, develop classification guides for programs over which both agencies have cognizance; (2) Ensure that agency and contractor personnel who generate RD and FRD documents have access to any classification guides needed; (3) Ensure that persons with access to RD and FRD are trained on the authorities required to classify and declassify RD and FRD information and documents and on handling procedures and that RD classifiers are trained on the procedures for classifying, declassifying, marking and handling RD and FRD information and documents; and (4) Cooperate and provide information as necessary to the DOE Director of Declassification to fulfill responsibilities under this part. (a) Knowing, willful, or negligent action contrary to the requirements of this part which results in the misclassification of information may result in appropriate sanctions. Such sanctions may range from administrative sanctions to civil or criminal penalties, depending on the nature and severity of the action as determined by appropriate authority, in accordance with applicable laws. (b) Other violations of the policies and procedures contained in this part may be grounds for administrative sanctions as determined by appropriate authority. The DOE shall maintain an Openness Advisory Panel, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, to provide the Secretary with independent advice and recommendations on Departmental openness initiatives, including classification and declassification issues that affect the public. (a) Any person who has suggestions or complaints regarding the Department's classification and declassification policies and procedures may direct them in writing to the Openness Coordinator, Department of Energy, Office of Declassification, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874–1290. (b) Such letters should include a description of the issue or problem, the suggestion or complaint, all applicable background information, and an address for the response. (c) DOE will make every effort to respond within 60 days. (d) Under no circumstances shall persons be subject to retribution for making a suggestion or complaint regarding the Department's classification and declassification policies or programs. (a) Exemptions to the procedural provisions of this part may be granted by the DOE Director of Declassification. (b) A request for an exemption shall be made in writing to the DOE Director of Declassification and shall provide all relevant facts, justification, and a proposed alternate procedure. (a) Heads of agencies shall ensure that RD management officials and those RD classifiers whose duties involve the classification or declassification of significant numbers of RD or FRD documents shall have their personnel performance evaluated with respect to classification activities. (b) Procedures for the evaluation under paragraph (a) of this section may be the same as those in place for NSI related classification activities as required by Executive Order 12958. (a) This subpart implements sections 141 and 142 (42 U.S.C. 2161 and 2162) of the Atomic Energy Act, which provide for Government-wide policies and procedures concerning the classification and declassification of RD and FRD information. (b) This subpart establishes procedures for classification prohibitions for RD and FRD, describes authorities and procedures for identifying RD and FRD information, and specifies the policies and criteria DOE shall use in determining if nuclear-related information is RD or FRD. This subpart applies to— (a) Any person with authorized access to RD or FRD; (b) Any agency with access to RD or FRD; and (c) Any person who might generate information determined to be RD or FRD. (a) The DOE Director of Declassification may determine whether nuclear-related information is RD. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the DOE Director of Security Affairs may declassify RD information. (c) The DOE Director of Security Affairs, jointly with the DoD, may determine which information in the RD category relating primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons may be declassified or placed into the FRD category. (d) The DOE Director of Security Affairs jointly with the DoD may declassify FRD information. In no case shall information be classified RD or FRD in order to: (a) Conceal violations of law, inefficiency, or administrative error; (b) Prevent embarrassment to a person, organization, or Agency; (c) Restrain competition; (d) Prevent or delay the release of information that does not require protection for national security or nonproliferation reasons; (e) Unduly restrict dissemination by assigning an improper classification level; or (f) Prevent or delay the release of information bearing solely on the physical environment or public or worker health and safety. (a) Classification of Restricted Data—(1) Submission of Potential RD for Evaluation. Any authorized holder who believes he or she has information which may be RD shall submit it to an RD classifier for evaluation. The RD classifier shall follow the process described in this paragraph whenever he or she is unable to locate guidance in a classification guide that can be applied to the information. The RD classifier shall forward the information to the DOE Director of Declassification via their local classification or security office. The DOE Director of Declassification shall determine whether the information is RD within 90 days of receipt by doing the following: (i) Determine whether the information is already classified RD under current classification guidance; or (ii) If it is not already classified, determine if the information concerns the design, manufacture, or utilization of nuclear weapons; the production of special nuclear material; or the use of special nuclear material in the production of energy; and (A) Apply the criteria in §1045.16 and §1045.17 as the basis for determining the appropriate classification; and (B) Provide notification of the decision by revising applicable classification guides, if appropriate. (2) Protection of Potential RD during Evaluation. Pending a determination by the DOE Director of Declassification, potential RD submitted for evaluation by authorized holders shall be protected at a minimum as Confidential Restricted Data. (b) Declassification of Restricted Data. The DOE Director of Security Affairs shall apply the criteria in §1045.16 when determining whether RD may be declassified. (c) Classification of Formerly Restricted Data. The DOE Director of Security Affairs, jointly with the DoD, shall remove information which relates primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons from the RD classification category and classify it as FRD. (d) Declassification of Formerly Restricted Data. The DOE Director of Security Affairs, jointly with the DoD, shall apply the criteria in §1045.16 when determining whether FRD may be declassified. (a) The DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall consider the presumptions listed in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section before applying the criteria in §1045.16. (b) Not all areas of nuclear-related information are covered by the presumptions. (c) In general, existing information listed in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section has the classification status indicated. Inclusion of specific existing information in one of the presumption categories does not mean that new information in a category is or is not classified, but only that arguments to differ from the presumed classification status of the information should use the appropriate presumption as a starting point. (d) The DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall presume that information in the following areas is unclassified unless application of the criteria in §1045.16 indicates otherwise: (1) Basic science: mathematics, chemistry, theoretical and experimental physics, engineering, materials science, biology and medicine; (2) Magnetic confinement fusion technology; (3) Civilian power reactors, including nuclear fuel cycle information but excluding technologies for uranium enrichment; (4) Source materials (defined as uranium and thorium and ores containing them); (5) Fact of use of safety features (e.g., insensitive high explosives, fire resistant pits) to lower the risks and reduce the consequences of nuclear weapon accidents; (6) Generic weapons effects; (7) Physical and chemical properties of uranium and plutonium, most of their alloys and compounds, under standard temperature and pressure conditions; (8) Nuclear fuel reprocessing technology and reactor products not revealing classified production rates or inventories; (9) The fact, time, location, and yield range (e.g., less than 20 kilotons or 20–150 kilotons) of U.S. nuclear tests; (10) General descriptions of nuclear material production processes and theory of operation; (11) DOE special nuclear material aggregate inventories and production rates not revealing size or details concerning the nuclear weapons stockpile; (12) Types of waste products resulting from all DOE weapon and material production operations; (13) Any information solely relating to the public and worker health and safety or to environmental quality; and (14) The simple association or simple presence of any material (i.e., element, compound, isotope, alloy, etc.) at a specified DOE site. (e) The DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall presume that information in the following areas is classified unless the application of the criteria in §1045.16 indicates otherwise: (1) Detailed designs, specifications, and functional descriptions of nuclear explosives, whether in the active stockpile or retired; (2) Material properties under conditions achieved in nuclear explosions that are principally useful only for design and analysis of nuclear weapons; (3) Vulnerabilities of U.S. nuclear weapons to sabotage, countermeasures, or unauthorized use; (4) Nuclear weapons logistics and operational performance information (e.g., specific weapon deployments, yields, capabilities), related to military utilization of those weapons required by the DoD; (5) Details of the critical steps or components in nuclear material production processes; and (6) Features of military nuclear reactors, especially naval nuclear propulsion reactors, that are not common to or required for civilian power reactors. (a) The DOE Director of Declassification shall classify information as RD and the DOE Director of Security Affairs shall maintain the classification of RD (and FRD in coordination with the DoD) only if undue risk of damage to the common defense and security from its unauthorized disclosure can be identified and described. (b) The DOE Director of Declassification shall not classify information and the DOE Director of Security Affairs shall declassify information if there is significant doubt about the need to classify the information. (c) The DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall consider the presumptions in §1045.15 (d) and (e) before applying the criteria in paragraph (d) of this section. (d) In determining whether information should be classified or declassified, the DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall consider the following: (1) Whether the information is so widely known or readily apparent to knowledgeable observers that its classification would cast doubt on the credibility of the classification system; (2) Whether publication of the information would assist in the development of countermeasures or otherwise jeopardize any U.S. weapon or weapon system; (3) Whether the information would hinder U.S. nonproliferation efforts by significantly assisting potential adversaries to develop or improve a nuclear weapon capability, produce nuclear weapons materials, or make other military use of nuclear energy; (4) Whether publication of the information would have a detrimental effect on U.S. foreign relations; (5) Whether publication of the information would benefit the public welfare, taking into account the importance of the information to public discussion and education and potential contribution to economic growth; and, 6) Whether publication of the information would benefit the operation of any Government program by reducing operating costs or improving public acceptance. (a) Restricted Data. The DOE Director of Declassification shall assign one of the following classification levels to RD information to reflect the sensitivity of the information to the national security. The greater the damage expected from unauthorized disclosure, the higher the classification level assigned to the information. (1) Top Secret. The DOE Director of Declassification shall classify RD information Top Secret if it is vital to the national security and if its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security. Examples of RD information that warrant Top Secret classification include detailed technical descriptions of critical features of a nuclear explosive design that would enable a proliferant or nuclear power to build or substantially improve a nuclear weapon, information that would make possible the unauthorized use of a U.S. nuclear weapon, or information revealing catastrophic failure or operational vulnerability in a U.S. nuclear weapon. (2) Secret. The DOE Director of Declassification shall classify RD information as Secret if its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the national security, but the RD information is not sufficiently comprehensive to warrant designation as Top Secret. Examples of RD information that warrant Secret classification include designs for specific weapon components (not revealing critical features), key features of uranium enrichment technologies, or specifications of weapon materials. (3) Confidential. The DOE Director of Declassification shall classify RD information as Confidential if it is deemed to be of significant use to a potential adversary or nuclear proliferant and its unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause undue risk to the common defense and security. Examples of RD information that warrant Confidential classification are the amount of high explosives used in nuclear weapons, gaseous diffusion design information, and design information for Naval reactors. (b) Formerly Restricted Data. The DOE Director of Declassification, jointly with the DoD, shall assign one of the classification levels in paragraph (a) of this section to FRD information to reflect its sensitivity to the national security. (a) The DOE Director of Declassification may evaluate newly generated specific information in a previously declassified subject area using the criteria in section 1045.16 and classify it as RD, if warranted. (b) The DOE Director of Declassification shall not classify the information in such cases if it is widely disseminated in the public domain. (a) Whenever a classification or declassification determination concerning RD or FRD information is made, the DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall be able to justify the determination. For FRD and RD primarily related to military utilization, the DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall coordinate the determination and justification with the DoD. If the determination involves a departure from the presumptions in §1045.15, the justification shall include a rationale for the departure. Often the justification itself will contain RD or FRD information. In such a case, the DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs shall ensure that a separate justification can be prepared which is publicly releasable. The publicly releasable justification shall be made available to any interested person upon request to the DOE Director of Declassification. (b) The DOE Director of Declassification shall prepare a report on an annual basis on the implementation of this part. This report shall be available to any interested person upon request to the DOE Director of Declassification. Requests may be submitted to the Department of Energy, Director of Declassification, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874–1290. The DOE Director of Security Affairs shall consider proposals from the public or agencies or contractors for declassification of RD and FRD information on an ongoing basis. Declassification proposals for RD and FRD information shall be forwarded to the Department of Energy, Director of Security Affairs, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. Any proposed action shall include a description of the information concerned and may include a reason for the request. DOE and DoD shall coordinate with one another concerning declassification proposals for FRD information. (a) DOE may classify RD which is privately generated by persons not pursuant to Government contracts, in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act. (b) In order for information privately generated by persons to be classified as RD, the Secretary or Deputy Secretary shall make the determination personally and in writing. This authority shall not be delegated. (c) DOE shall publish a (a) Authorized holders of RD and FRD shall not confirm or expand upon the classification status or technical accuracy of classified information in the public domain. (b) Unauthorized disclosure of classified information does not automatically result in the declassification of that information. (c) If the disclosure of classified information is sufficiently authoritative or credible, the DOE Director of Security Affairs shall examine the possibility of declassification. This subpart specifies Government-wide classification program implementation requirements for agencies with access to RD and FRD, describes authorities and procedures for RD and FRD document classification and declassification, provides for periodic or systematic review of RD and FRD documents, and describes procedures for the mandatory review of RD and FRD documents. This subpart applies to all RD and FRD documents, regardless of whether they also contain National Security Information (NSI), or other controlled information such as “For Official Use Only” information or “Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information.” This subpart applies to— (a) Any person with authorized access to RD or FRD; (b) Any agency with access to RD or FRD; and (c) Any person generating a document containing RD or FRD. (a) Classification of RD and FRD documents. (1) To the maximum extent practical, all RD and FRD documents shall be classified based on joint DOE-Agency classification guides or Agency guides coordinated with the DOE. When it is not practical to use classification guides, source documents may be used as an alternative. (2) Only individuals designated as RD classifiers may classify RD and FRD documents, except within the DoD. Within the DoD, any individual with access to RD and FRD who has been trained may classify RD and FRD documents. (3) RD classifiers shall classify only documents in subject areas in which they have programmatic expertise. (4) RD classifiers may upgrade or downgrade the classification level of RD or FRD documents in accordance with joint DOE-Agency classification guides or Agency guides coordinated with the DOE. When it is not practical to use classification guides, source documents may be used as an alternative. (b) Declassification of RD and FRD documents. (1) Only designated individuals in the DOE may declassify documents containing RD. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, only designated individuals in the DOE or appropriate individuals in DoD may declassify documents marked as FRD in accordance with joint DoD-DOE classification guides or DoD guides coordinated with the DOE. (3) The DOE and DoD may delegate these authorities to other agencies and to contractors. Contractors without the delegated authority shall send any document marked as RD or FRD that needs to be considered for declassification to the appropriate agency office. (a) Each agency with access to RD or FRD shall appoint an official to be responsible for the implementation of this part and shall advise the DOE Director of Declassification of such appointment. (b) This official shall ensure the proper implementation of this part within his or her agency and shall serve as the primary point of contact for coordination with the DOE Director of Declassification on RD and FRD classification and declassification issues. (c) Within the DoD, an RD management official shall be appointed in each DoD agency. (a) Except within the DoD, RD management officials shall ensure that persons who derivatively classify RD or FRD documents are designated by position or by name as RD classifiers. (b) All contractor organizations with access to RD and FRD, including DoD contractors, shall designate RD classifiers. (a) RD management officials shall ensure that persons with access to RD and FRD information are trained on the authorities required to classify and declassify RD and FRD information and documents and on handling procedures. RD management officials shall ensure that RD classifiers are trained on the procedures for classifying, declassifying, marking and handling RD and FRD information and documents. (b) The DOE Director of Declassification shall develop training materials related to implementation of this part and shall provide these materials to RD management officials and any other appropriate persons. (c) The DOE Director of Declassification shall review any RD-related training material submitted by agency and contractor representatives to ensure consistency with current policy. (a) The DOE and each agency with access to RD and FRD shall consult periodically to assure appropriate implementation of this part. Such consultations may result in DOE conducting an on-site review within the agency if DOE and the RD management official determine that such a review would be mutually beneficial or that it is necessary to remedy a problem. (b) To address issues concerning implementation of this part, the DOE Director of Declassification shall establish a standing group of all RD management officials to meet periodically. (a) The classification and declassification determinations made by the DOE Directors of Declassification and Security Affairs under the classification criteria in §1045.16 shall be promulgated in classification guides. (b) DOE shall jointly develop classification guides with the DoD, NRC, NASA, and other agencies as required for programs for which DOE and these agencies share responsibility. (c) Agencies shall coordinate with the DOE Director of Declassification whenever they develop or revise classification guides with RD or FRD information topics. (d) Originators of classification guides with RD or FRD topics shall review such guides at least every five years and make revisions as necessary. (e) RD classifiers shall use classification guides as the primary basis for classifying and declassifying documents containing RD and FRD. (f) Each RD management official shall ensure that all RD classifiers have access to all pertinent nuclear classification guides. (a) Documents containing RD and FRD remain classified until a positive action by an authorized person is taken to declassify them. (b) In accordance with the Atomic Energy Act, no date or event for automatic declassification ever applies to RD and FRD documents, even if such documents also contain NSI. (c) E.O. 12958 acknowledges that RD and FRD are exempt from all provisions of the E.O., including automatic declassification. (a) Any authorized holder of an RD or FRD document who, in good faith, believes that the RD or FRD document has an improper classification status is encouraged and expected to challenge the classification with the RD Classifier who classified the document. (b) Agencies shall establish procedures under which authorized holders of RD and FRD documents are encouraged and expected to challenge any classification status they believe is improper. These procedures shall assure that: (1) Under no circumstances are persons subject to retribution for bringing forth a classification challenge. (2) The individual who initially receives the challenge provides a response within 90 days to the person bringing forth the challenge. (3) A decision concerning a challenge involving RD or FRD may be appealed to the DOE Director of Declassification. In the case of FRD and RD related primarily to the military utilization of nuclear weapons, the DOE Director of Declassification shall coordinate with the DoD. If the justification for classification does not satisfy the person making the challenge, a further appeal may be made to the DOE Director of Security Affairs. (c) Classification challenges concerning documents containing RD and FRD information are not subject to review by the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, unless those documents also contain NSI which is the basis for the challenge. In such cases, the RD and FRD portions of the document shall be deleted and then the NSI and unclassified portions shall be provided to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel for review. (a) RD classifiers shall ensure that each RD and FRD document is clearly marked to convey to the holder that it contains RD or FRD information, the level of classification assigned, and the additional markings in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section. (b) Front Marking. In addition to the overall classification level of the document, the following notices shall appear on the front of the document, as appropriate: (1) If the document contains RD:
RESTRICTED DATA This document contains RESTRICTED DATA as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. Unauthorized disclosure subject to administrative and criminal sanctions. (2) If the document contains FRD but does not contain RD:
FORMERLY RESTRICTED DATA Unauthorized disclosure subject to administrative and criminal sanctions. Handle as RESTRICTED DATA in foreign dissemination. Section 144b, Atomic Energy Act of 1954. (3) An RD or FRD document shall be marked to identify the classification guide or source document, by title and date, used to classify the document:
Derived from: (Classification Guide or source document—title and date) (4) An RD or FRD document shall be marked with the identity of the RD classifier, unless the classifier is the same as the document originator or signer.
RD Classifier: (Name and position or title) (c) Interior Page. RD classifiers shall ensure that RD and FRD documents are clearly marked at the top and bottom of each interior page with the overall classification level and category of the document or the classification level and category of the page, whichever is preferred. The abbreviations “RD” and “FRD” may be used in conjunction with the document classification (e.g., SECRET RD or SECRET FRD). (d) Declassification Marking. Declassified RD and FRD documents shall be marked with the identity of the individual authorizing the declassification, the declassification date and the classification guide which served as the basis for the declassification. Individuals authorizing the declassification shall ensure that the following marking is affixed on RD and FRD documents which they declassify:
Declassified on: (Date) Authorizing Individual: (Name and position or title) Authority: (Classification Guide—title and date) (a) In order to maximize the amount of information available to the public and to simplify document handling procedures, document originators should segregate RD or FRD into an addendum whenever practical. When RD or FRD is segregated into an addendum, the originator shall acknowledge the existence of the classified addendum unless such an acknowledgment would reveal classified information. (b) When segregation of RD or FRD into an addendum is not practical, document originators are encouraged to prepare separate unclassified versions of documents with significant public interest. (c) When documents contain environmental, safety or health information and a separate unclassified version cannot be prepared, document originators are encouraged to provide a publicly releasable rationale for the classification of the documents. (a) General. (1) Agencies with documents containing RD and FRD shall respond to mandatory review and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for these documents from the public. (2) In response to a mandatory review or Freedom of Information Act request, DOE or DoD may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of the requested information whenever the fact of its existence or nonexistence is itself classified as RD or FRD. (b) Processing Requests. (1) Agencies shall forward documents containing RD to DOE for review. (2) Agencies shall forward documents containing FRD to the DOE or to the DoD for review, depending on which is the originating agency. (3) The DOE and DoD shall coordinate the review of RD and FRD documents as appropriate. (4) The review and appeal process is that described in subpart D of this part except for the appeal authority. DOE and DoD shall not forward RD and FRD documents to the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP) for appeal review unless those documents also contain NSI. In such cases, the DOE or DoD shall delete the RD and FRD portions prior to forwarding the NSI and unclassified portions to the ISCAP for review. (5) Information Declassification Actions resulting from appeal reviews. (i) Appeal reviews of RD or FRD documents shall be based on existing classification guidance. However, the DOE Director of Declassification shall review the RD and FRD information in the appealed document to determine if it may be a candidate for possible declassification. (ii) If declassification of the information appears appropriate, the DOE Director of Declassification shall initiate a formal declassification action and so advise the requester. (c) Denying Official. (1) The denying official for documents containing RD is the DOE Director of Declassification. (2) The denying official for documents containing FRD is either the DOE Director of Declassification or an appropriate DoD official. (d) Appeal Authority. (1) The appeal authority for RD documents is the DOE Director of Security Affairs. (2) The appeal authority for FRD documents is either the DOE Director of Security Affairs, or an appropriate DoD official. (e) The denying official and appeal authority for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information is the Director, Office of Naval Reactors. (f) RD and FRD information contained in documents shall be withheld from public disclosure under exemption 3 of the FOIA (5 U.S.C. 522 (b)(3)) because such information is exempt under the statutory jurisdiction of the Atomic Energy Act. (a) The Secretary shall ensure that RD documents, and the DoD shall ensure that FRD documents, are periodically and systematically reviewed for declassification. The focus of the review shall be based on the degree of public and researcher interest and likelihood of declassification upon review. (b) Agencies with RD or FRD document holdings shall cooperate with the DOE Director of Declassification (and with the DoD for FRD) to ensure the systematic review of RD and FRD documents. (c) Review of documents in particular areas of public interest shall be considered if sufficient interest is demonstrated. Proposals for systematic document reviews of given collections or subject areas should be addressed to the Director of Declassification, Department of Energy, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, MD 20874–1290. Any person with authorized access to RD or FRD who generates a document intended for public release in an RD or FRD subject area shall ensure that it is reviewed for classification by the appropriate DOE organization (for RD) or the appropriate DOE or DoD organization (for FRD) prior to its release. (a) Individuals reviewing NSI records of permanent historical value under the automatic or systematic review provisions of E.O. 12958 may come upon documents that they suspect may contain RD or FRD, but which are not so marked. Such documents are not subject to automatic declassification. (b) Such documents shall be reviewed by an RD Classifier as soon as possible to determine their classification status. Assistance may be requested from the DOE Director of Declassification. (a) If two pieces of unclassified information reveal classified information when associated, then RD classifiers may classify the document. (b) RD classifiers may classify a document because a number of pieces of unclassified information considered together contain some added value such as completeness or comprehensiveness of the information which warrants classification. This subpart describes the procedures to be used by the public in questioning or appealing DOE decisions regarding the classification of NSI under E.O. 12958 and 32 CFR part 2001. This subpart applies to any person with authorized access to DOE NSI or who desires access to DOE documents containing NSI. All DOE information classified as NSI is subject to review for declassification by the DOE if: (a) The request for a review describes the document containing the information with sufficient specificity to enable the agency to locate it with a reasonable amount of effort; (b) The information is not exempted from search and review under the Central Intelligence Agency Information Act; (c) The information has not been reviewed for declassification within the past 2 years; and (d) The request is sent to the Department of Energy, Director of Declassification, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown, Maryland 20874–1290. (a) If the Department has reviewed the information within the past 2 years, the request may not be processed. If the information is the subject of pending litigation, the processing of the request may be delayed pending completion of the litigation. The Department shall inform the requester of this fact and of the requester's appeal rights. (b) When the Director of Declassification has denied a request for review of NSI, the requester may, within 30 calendar days of its receipt, appeal the determination to the Director of Security Affairs. (c) Elements of appeal. The appeal shall be in writing and addressed to the Director of Security Affairs, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. The appeal shall contain a concise statement of grounds upon which it is brought and a description of the relief sought. It should also include a discussion of all relevant authorities which include, but are not limited to DOE (and predecessor agencies) rulings, regulations, interpretations, and decisions on appeals, and any judicial determinations being relied upon to support the appeal. A copy of the letter containing the determination being appealed shall be submitted with the appeal. (d) Receipt of appeal. An appeal shall be considered to be received upon receipt by the DOE Director of Security Affairs. (e) Action within 60 working days. The appeal authority shall act upon the appeal within 60 working days of its receipt. If no determination on the appeal has been issued at the end of the 60-day period, the requester may consider his or her administrative remedies to be exhausted and may seek a review by the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP). When no determination can be issued within the applicable time limit, the appeal shall nevertheless continue to be processed. On expiration of the time limit, DOE shall inform the requester of the reason for the delay, of the date on which a determination may be expected to be issued, and of his or her right to seek further review by the ISCAP. Nothing in this subpart shall preclude the appeal authority and the requester from agreeing to an extension of time for the decision on an appeal. The DOE Director of Security Affairs shall confirm any such agreement in writing and shall clearly specify the total time agreed upon for the appeal decision. (f) Form of action on appeal. The DOE Director of Security Affairs' action on an appeal shall be in writing and shall set forth the reason for the decision. The Department may refuse to confirm or deny the existence or nonexistence of requested information whenever the fact of its existence or nonexistence is itself classified under E.O. 12958. (g) Right of final appeal. The requester has the right to appeal a final Department decision or a failure to provide a determination on an appeal within the allotted time to the ISCAP for those appeals dealing with NSI. In cases where NSI documents also contain RD and FRD, the RD and FRD portions of the document shall be deleted prior to forwarding the NSI and unclassified portions to the ISCAP for review.
Title 10: Energy
PART 1045—NUCLEAR CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION
Section Contents
§ 1045.1 Purpose and scope.
§ 1045.2 Applicability.
§ 1045.3 Definitions.
§ 1045.4 Responsibilities.
§ 1045.5 Sanctions.
§ 1045.6 Openness Advisory Panel.
§ 1045.7 Suggestions or complaints.
§ 1045.8 Procedural exemptions.
§ 1045.9 RD classification performance evaluation.
§ 1045.10 Purpose and scope.
§ 1045.11 Applicability.
§ 1045.12 Authorities.
§ 1045.13 Classification prohibitions.
§ 1045.14 Process for classification and declassification of restricted data and formerly restricted data information.
§ 1045.15 Classification and declassification presumptions.
§ 1045.16 Criteria for evaluation of restricted data and formerly restricted data information.
§ 1045.17 Classification levels.
§ 1045.18 Newly generated information in a previously declassified subject area.
§ 1045.19 Accountability for classification and declassification determinations.
§ 1045.20 Ongoing call for declassification proposals.
§ 1045.21 Privately generated restricted data.
§ 1045.22 No comment policy.
§ 1045.30 Purpose and scope.
§ 1045.31 Applicability.
§ 1045.32 Authorities.
§ 1045.33 Appointment of restricted data management official.
§ 1045.34 Designation of restricted data classifiers.
§ 1045.35 Training requirements.
§ 1045.36 Reviews of agencies with access to restricted data and formerly restricted data.
§ 1045.37 Classification guides.
§ 1045.38 Automatic declassification prohibition.
§ 1045.39 Challenging classification and declassification determinations.
§ 1045.40 Marking requirements.
§ 1045.41 Use of classified addendums.
§ 1045.42 Mandatory and Freedom of Information Act reviews for declassification of restricted data and formerly restricted data documents.
§ 1045.43 Systematic review for declassification.
§ 1045.44 Classification review prior to public release.
§ 1045.45 Review of unmarked documents with potential restricted data or formerly restricted data.
§ 1045.46 Classification by association or compilation.
§ 1045.50 Purpose and scope.
§ 1045.51 Applicability.
§ 1045.52 Mandatory declassification review requests.
§ 1045.53 Appeal of denial of mandatory declassification review requests.
Subpart A—Program Management of the Restricted Data and Formerly Restricted Data Classification System
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§ 1045.1 Purpose and scope.
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§ 1045.2 Applicability.
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§ 1045.3 Definitions.
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§ 1045.4 Responsibilities.
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§ 1045.5 Sanctions.
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§ 1045.6 Openness Advisory Panel.
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§ 1045.7 Suggestions or complaints.
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§ 1045.8 Procedural exemptions.
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§ 1045.9 RD classification performance evaluation.
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Subpart B—Identification of Restricted Data and Formerly Restricted Data Information
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§ 1045.10 Purpose and scope.
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§ 1045.11 Applicability.
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§ 1045.12 Authorities.
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§ 1045.13 Classification prohibitions.
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§ 1045.14 Process for classification and declassification of restricted data and formerly restricted data information.
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§ 1045.15 Classification and declassification presumptions.
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§ 1045.16 Criteria for evaluation of restricted data and formerly restricted data information.
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§ 1045.17 Classification levels.
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§ 1045.18 Newly generated information in a previously declassified subject area.
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§ 1045.19 Accountability for classification and declassification determinations.
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§ 1045.20 Ongoing call for declassification proposals.
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§ 1045.21 Privately generated restricted data.
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§ 1045.22 No comment policy.
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Subpart C—Generation and Review of Documents Containing Restricted Data and Formerly Restricted Data
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§ 1045.30 Purpose and scope.
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§ 1045.31 Applicability.
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§ 1045.32 Authorities.
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§ 1045.33 Appointment of restricted data management official.
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§ 1045.34 Designation of restricted data classifiers.
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§ 1045.35 Training requirements.
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§ 1045.36 Reviews of agencies with access to restricted data and formerly restricted data.
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§ 1045.37 Classification guides.
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§ 1045.38 Automatic declassification prohibition.
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§ 1045.39 Challenging classification and declassification determinations.
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§ 1045.40 Marking requirements.
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§ 1045.41 Use of classified addendums.
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§ 1045.42 Mandatory and Freedom of Information Act reviews for declassification of restricted data and formerly restricted data documents.
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§ 1045.43 Systematic review for declassification.
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§ 1045.44 Classification review prior to public release.
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§ 1045.45 Review of unmarked documents with potential restricted data or formerly restricted data.
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§ 1045.46 Classification by association or compilation.
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Subpart D—Executive Order 12958: “Classified National Security Information” Requirements Affecting the Public
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§ 1045.50 Purpose and scope.
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§ 1045.51 Applicability.
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§ 1045.52 Mandatory declassification review requests.
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§ 1045.53 Appeal of denial of mandatory declassification review requests.
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