[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR197 App A]

[Page 57-58]

                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE

        CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (CONTINUED)

PART 197_HISTORICAL RESEARCH IN THE FILES OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF

 Sec. Appendix A to Part 197--Explanation of Freedom of Information Act
                        (5 U.S.C. 552) Exemptions

                              A. Exemptions

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Exemption                           Explanation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b)(1)...........................  Applies to information that is
                                    currently and properly classified
                                    pursuant to an Executive Order in
                                    the interest of national defense or
                                    foreign policy (See E.O. 12958 and
                                    DoD 5200.01-R) (Sec 1.4.
                                    Classification Categories from E.O.
                                    12958 are provided on the next
                                    page);
(b)(2)...........................  Applies to information that pertains
                                    solely to the internal rules and
                                    practices of the Agency; this
                                    exemption has two profiles, ``high''
                                    and ``low.'' The ``high'' profile
                                    permits withholding a document
                                    which, if released, would allow
                                    circumvention of an Agency rule,
                                    policy, or statute, thereby impeding
                                    the Agency in the conduct of its
                                    mission. The ``low'' profile permits
                                    withholding if there is no public
                                    interest in the document, and it
                                    would be an administrative burden to
                                    process the request;
(b)(3)...........................  Applies to information specifically
                                    exempted by a statute establishing
                                    particular criteria for withholding.
                                    The language of the statute must
                                    clearly state that the information
                                    will not be disclosed;
(b)(4)...........................  Applies to information such as trade
                                    secrets and commercial or financial
                                    information obtained from a company
                                    on a privileged or confidential
                                    basis which, if released, would
                                    result in competitive harm to the
                                    company;
(b)(5)...........................  Applies to inter- and intra-Agency
                                    memoranda that are deliberative in
                                    nature; this exemption is
                                    appropriate for internal documents
                                    that are part of the decision-making
                                    process, and contain subjective
                                    evaluations, opinions, and
                                    recommendations;
(b)(6)...........................  Applies to information the release of
                                    which could reasonably be expected
                                    to constitute a clearly unwarranted
                                    invasion of the personal privacy of
                                    individuals; and
(b)(7)...........................  Applies to records or information
                                    compiled for law enforcement
                                    purposes that could reasonably be
                                    expected to interfere with law
                                    enforcement proceedings; would
                                    deprive a person of a right to a
                                    fair trial or impartial
                                    adjudication; could reasonably be
                                    expected to constitute an
                                    unwarranted invasion of the personal
                                    privacy of others; disclose the
                                    identity of a confidential source;
                                    disclose investigative techniques
                                    and procedures; or could reasonably
                                    be expected to endanger the life or
                                    physical safety of any individual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    See Chapter III of DoD 5400.07-R for further information.

                       B. Extract From E.O. 12958

    Section 1.4. Classification Categories. Information shall not be
considered for classification unless it concerns:
    (a) Military plans, weapons systems, or operations;
    (b) Foreign government information;
    (c) Intelligence activities (including special activities),
intelligence sources or methods, or cryptology;

[[Page 58]]

    (d) Foreign relations or foreign activities of the United States,
including confidential sources;
    (e) Scientific, technological, or economic matters relating to the
national security, which includes defense against transnational
terrorism;
    (f) United States Government programs for safeguarding nuclear
materials or facilities;
    (g) Vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations,
infrastructures, projects, plans, or protection services relating to the
national security, which includes defense against transnational
terrorism; or
    (h) Weapons of mass destruction.