[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 6, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 6CFR7.24]

[Page 38-39]
 
                       TITLE 6--HOMELAND SECURITY
 
   CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
 
PART 7_CLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION--Table of Contents
 
                    Subpart B_Classified Information
 
Sec.  7.24  Duration of classification.

    (a) At the time of original classification, original classification 
authorities shall apply a date or event in which the

[[Page 39]]

information will be automatically declassified.
    (b) The original classification authority shall attempt to establish 
a specific date or event not more than 10 years after the date of 
origination in which the information will be automatically declassified. 
If the original classification authority cannot determine an earlier 
specific date or event it shall be marked for automatic declassification 
10 years from the date of origination.
    (c) If the original classification authority determines that the 
sensitivity of the information requires classification beyond 10 years, 
it may be marked for automatic declassification for up to 25 years from 
the date of original classification decision.
    (d) Original classification authorities do not have the authority to 
classify or retain the classification of information beyond 25 years 
from the date of origination. The only exception to this rule is when 
disclosure of the information could be expected to reveal the identity 
of a confidential human source or human intelligence source. In this 
instance, the information may be marked for declassification as ``25X1-
Human,'' indicating that the information is exempt from the ``25 Year 
Rule'' for automatic declassification. This marking is not authorized 
for use when the information pertains to non-human intelligence sources 
or intelligence methods. In all other instances, classification beyond 
25 years shall only be authorized in accordance with Sec.  7.28 of this 
part and Executive Order 12958, as amended.