INDEX
PART B - CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE
1. TYPES OF CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE. A hierarchy of documents provides
classification guidance within DOE. These documents range from the
"Classification Policy Guide for Nuclear Programs," approved by SA-1, to
local classification guides written by DOE Field Elements and contractor
organizations.
a. CG-C-2, "Classification Policy Guide."
(1) Originator/Source of Authority. This document is prepared by
SA-20 and approved by SA-1.
(2) Purpose. This guide establishes basic DOE policy for the
classification and declassification of DOE atomic energy
information. It identifies those subject areas that remain
classified under the Atomic Energy Act and those that have
been declassified pursuant to section 142 of that Act; it
identifies those subject areas related to DOE nuclear programs
that are classified as NSI pursuant to Executive Order 12356;
and finally, it provides the principle of declassification
policy.
(3) Users. SA-20 uses this document as a basis for approving
program and local classification guides, for preparing program
guides, or for determining that information is unclassified.
This document is not to be used by others for classification/
declassification determinations except as expressly delegated
by SA-20.
b. "Guide to the Declassified Areas of Nuclear Energy Research."
(1) Originator/Source of Authority. This guide is developed and
issued by SA-20.
(2) Purpose. This guide identifies nuclear-related subject areas
under the purview of DOE that fall within the definition of RD
but have been removed from the category pursuant to section
142a of the Atomic Energy Act. It elaborates on the
"Classification Policy Guide for Nuclear Programs."
(3) Users. Any originator of a document may use this guide to
verify that the information in question has been declassified.
Detailed instructions as to the scope, use, and limitations of
this guide are found in the guide itself.
c. Program/Topical Classification Guides.
(1) Originator/Source of Authority. These guides implement the
"Classification Policy Guide for Nuclear Programs" and other
formal statements of DOE policy. Program/topical guides are
prepared and approved by SA-20 (together with appropriate
officials in other Government agencies if the guide is a joint
guide). (CG-W-5, "Joint DOE/DOD Nuclear Weapon Classification
Policy Guide," is a program guide.) All program/topical
classification guides shall be issued with the name of the
approving official and the date of approval.
(2) Purpose. These guides identify specific elements of
information under the purview of DOE that are classified or
unclassified. Such guides also designate the proper
classification level of the specific classified information
identified with them and, for NSI, the duration of its
classification.
(3) Users. These guides are used by Authorized Classifiers as
the basis for their derivative classification determinations
and by Derivative Declassifiers as the basis for their
derivative declassification determinations. Classifiers may
use only those guides approved for their use. These guides
are also used by local classification offices as the basis for
preparing detailed local classification guides primarily
intended for use within a field or contractor organization.
d. Classification Bulletins.
(1) Originator/Source of Authority. The originator and the source
of authority are the same as for program classification guides
except that bulletins also may be based on program
classification guides.
(2) Purpose. In general, the purpose of classification bulletins
is the same as for program classification guides, but with a
more limited scope. Most bulletins address specific facts or
concepts, whereas program classification guides typically
address an entire subject area. Bulletins may interpret,
clarify, or expand on guidance contained in a program
classification guide. In addition, classification bulletins
may be used to promulgate changes in classification
procedures.
(3) Users. Bulletin users are the same as those for program
classification guides.
e. Local Classification Guides.
(1) Originator/Source of Authority. These guides are based on
program classification guides and classification bulletins.
Heads of Field Elements and contractor organizations are
responsible for assuring that local classification guides are
prepared as needed for all classified work within their
jurisdictions. Where SA-20 has delegated approval authority
to Field Elements, they may approve local classification
guides for implementation. In that event, they will provide
copies of such guides, (and of all subsequent changes to those
guides) to SA-20 as prescribed in paragraph 6 below. Where
SA-20 has not delegated approval to Field Elements, they will
submit all local guides to SA-20 for review and approval
before such guides are issued or used. If more than one Field
Element, another Government agency (such as DOD), or a foreign
government is involved, SA-20 may determine that a local
classification guide should be issued as a program
classification guide. All local classification guides must
contain the name of the approving official and the date of
approval.
(2) Purpose. These guides have the same purpose as program
classification guides, but are more detailed and tailored to
the specific needs of the originating Field Element or
contractor.
(3) Users. These guides are used by Authorized Classifiers as the
basis for their derivative classification determinations and
by Derivative Declassifiers as the basis for their derivative
declassification determinations. Classifiers and
Declassifiers may use only those guides approved for their
use. Unless otherwise directed by SA-20, local classification
guides may be disseminated to other organizations within and
outside DOE as required, in accordance with "need-to-know"
principles.
2. USE OF PROGRAM AND LOCAL CLASSIFICATION GUIDES.
a. General. Classification guides are to be used wherever they exist.
Use of these guides often entails difficult judgments and
interpretations of topics. Classifiers or Declassifiers may use
only those classification guides specifically approved for their
use by their local classification office or by SA-20. Omission
from any classification guide of an explicit statement concerning
classification of a specific fact within the subject area covered
by the guide does not mean that the fact in question is
unclassified. In cases in which a guide appears ambiguous,
incomplete, or in apparent contradiction to another guide, the
local classification office should be consulted for further
guidance, and, if needed, referral may be made to SA-20. Pending
resolution of the problem, the most restrictive interpretation
should be used.
b. Classification Level/Category. These classification guides
indicate the classification level or range of levels and the
classification category of specific information within the scope of
the subject area of the guide.
c. Duration of Classification. For NSI only, a guide indicates how
long specific information must remain classified. This duration
can be defined as a period of time measured from the date of
origination of the document under review or as an event which must
occur prior to declassification. When a specific date or event
cannot be determined at the time the classification guide is
issued, the declassification instructions will indicate that the
"Originating Agency's Determination (is) Required" (OADR).
Documents containing RD or FRD, regardless of whether they contain
NSI, are not to be marked in advance for declassification.
d. Other Information. These classification guides also contain
instructions concerning when and how to use and interpret the
guides.
3. CONVERSION OF DECLASSIFICATION AND REVIEW DATES. Refer to page VI-5,
Chapter VI, Part B, paragraph 2, for instructions on how to interpret
the declassification and review instructions found in classification
guides issued pursuant to Executive orders preceding Executive Order
12356.
4. REQUIREMENT FOR PERIODIC REVIEW OF CLASSIFICATION GUIDES. Each DOE or
DOE contractor organization shall review each classification guide it
issues at least every 2 years to ensure that such guides do not
contradict current classification policy. If the review indicates that
the guide does not contradict such policy, the reviewer shall annotate
the record copy of the guide with the results and date of the review.
If the review indicates that the guide does contradict such policy, the
issuing organization shall also note the nature of the problem and the
nature of and schedule for planned corrective action. Completion of
this review does not require a specific report to DOE HQ, but records of
review shall be examined during appraisals.
5. CLASSIFICATION GUIDE LIST REVIEW. In order to maintain currency of the
Classification Guidance System, SA-20 shall conduct a classification
guide list review on a semiannual basis. This review will consist of
the generation and distribution of a list of classification guides to
each issuing office. The issuing office will review the list for
accuracy and completeness and notify SA-20 within 30 days of the results
of its review. If the listing is not current, the issuing office will
provide SA-20 with the necessary information to update the listing.
This will include, if necessary, distribution noted in paragraph 6
below.
6. DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL GUIDES TO DIRECTOR OF CLASSIFICATION. Initial
distribution to SA-20 of the final version of local classification
guides issued by any DOE Field Element or contractor organization shall
include the following: (a) one floppy diskette in either ASCII or
Wordperfect 4.2 or higher format; (b) two proofed paper copies printed
from the above-referenced floppy diskette; and (c) two copies of the
guide as distributed to the users. These requirements also apply to all
subsequent changes to local guides. Additional copies of such guides
may be requested by SA-20 on a case-by-case basis for use within HQ.
7. INDEX OF CLASSIFICATION GUIDES. SA-20 shall maintain a list of all DOE
and DOE contractor classification guides in current use.
8. CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE FOR NON-DOE-FUNDED WORK. Classification
guidance for non-DOE-funded work (Work for Others) is the responsibility
of the funding organization. Work for Others that involves classified
or potentially classified information shall be conducted in accordance
with the procedures set forth in DOE 4300.2B, NON-DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
FUNDED WORK. For unclassified work, the funding entity shall provide a
written statement that classified activities are not a part of the
project.
a. The DOE Classification Officer (CO) of the Departmental Element
under whose purview the work is to be conducted shall ensure that
appropriate classification guidance has been established prior to
commencement of the work. The DOE CO shall review the work request
and the proposed classification guidance and certify in writing
that the guidance is adequate and that it does not contradict any
applicable DOE guidance. The DOE CO may delegate the authority to
review and certify classification guidance to a member of his or
her staff or to a contractor CO. The contractor CO may also
delegate this authority to a member of his or her staff. The DOE
or contractor CO may delegate this authority to a technically
competent Authorized Classifier outside of his/her organization
with the concurrence of SA-20.
b. If additional guidance is required, it may be developed and
approved by the DOE, the sponsoring agency, or both. When the
guidance is approved solely by the DOE, the sponsoring agency must
agree in writing to abide by it. SA-20 shall resolve all
conflicts; pending such resolution, information shall be classified
in accordance with the most restrictive guidance.
9. CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE FOR JOINTLY FUNDED WORK. Classification
guidance for work conducted at DOE facilities funded by both DOE and a
non-DOE U.S. Government organization is the joint responsibility of both
funding organizations. Program offices should contact SA-20 to assure
development of appropriate joint classification guidance.
10. CLASSIFICATION GUIDANCE FOR DOE-FUNDED WORK AT NON-DOE FACILITIES is the
responsibility of the DOE. Program offices should contact SA-20 to
assure availability or development of appropriate guidance.