[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR11.4]

[Page 174-175]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
               CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 
PART 11_SECURITY CLASSIFICATION REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 
11652--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 11.4  Definitions.

    (a) Classified information. Official information which has been 
assigned a security classification category in the interest of the 
national defense or foreign relations of the United States.
    (b) Classified material. Any document, apparatus, model, film, 
recording, or any other physical object from which classified 
information can be derived by study, analysis, observation, or use of 
the material involved.
    (c) Marking. The act of physically indicating the classification 
assignment on classified material.
    (d) National security information. As used in this order this term 
is synonymous with ``classified information.'' It is any information 
which must be protected against unauthorized disclosure in the interest 
of the national defense or foreign relations of the United States.
    (e) Security classification assignment. The prescription of a 
specific security classification for a particular area or item of 
information. The information involved constitutes the sole basis for 
determining the degree of classification assigned.
    (f) Security classification category. The specific degree of 
classification (Top Secret, Secret or Confidential) assigned to 
classified information to indicate the degree of protection required.
    (1) Top Secret. Top Secret refers to national security information 
or material which requires the highest degree of protection. The test 
for assigning Top Secret classification shall be whether its 
unauthorized disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause 
exceptionally grave damage to the national security. Examples of 
``exceptionally grave damage'' include armed hostilities against the 
United States or its allies; disruption of foreign relations vitally 
affecting the national security; the compromise of vital national 
defense plans or complex cryptologic and communications intelligence 
systems; the revelation of sensitive intelligence operations; and the 
disclosure of scientific or technological developments vital to national 
security. This classification shall be used with the utmost restraint.
    (2) Secret. Secret refers to that national security information or 
material which requires a substantial degree of protection. The test for 
assigning Secret classification shall be whether its unauthorized 
disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the 
national security. Examples of ``serious damage'' include disruption

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of foreign relations significantly affecting the national security; 
significant impairment of a program or policy directly related to the 
national security; revelation of significant military plans or 
intelligence operations; and compromise of scientific or technological 
developments relating to national security. The classification Secret 
shall be sparingly used.
    (3) Confidential. Confidential refers to that national security 
information or material which requires protection. The test for 
assigning Confidential classification shall be whether its unauthorized 
disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national 
security.