arkivansvaret

Arkivansvaret is the legal and organizational duty of public authorities and other public bodies to create, manage, preserve, and provide access to their records, regardless of format, from paper to digital to audiovisual material. It aims to support accountability, transparency, and historical memory by ensuring that records remain usable over time.

Legally, arkivansvaret is defined by national archive laws. In Sweden, Arkivlagen assigns the arkivansvaret to public authorities and designates the National Archives (Riksarkivet) to supervise and guide. In Norway, the Arkivloven and related regulations assign arkivansvaret to agencies with the National Archives (Arkivverket) providing support and oversight. Similar arrangements exist in other countries through independent archival authorities.

Implementation typically involves designating an arkivansvarlig (archival officer) within each organization to manage records; establishing and maintaining record-keeping systems, retention schedules and disposal procedures; ensuring metadata, authentic reproduction, and long-term digital preservation; and coordinating with the national archives for transfers to permanent preservation.

In relation to public access and accountability, arkivansvaret supports compliance with laws guaranteeing access to official records, while emphasizing the authenticity, reliability, and retrievability of records as a basis for accountability and research.