Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles, GARP

The Generally Accepted Recordkeeping Principles ®

GARP ®: An Overview

Preamble
Records and recordkeeping are inextricably linked with any organized activity. It is only through the information an organization records in the normal course of business that it can know what it has done and effectively plan what it will do in the future. As a key resource in the operation of any organization, records must be created, organized, secured, maintained, and used in a way that effectively supports the activity of that organization, including:

Facilitating and sustaining day-to-day operations

Supporting predictive activities such as budgeting and planning

Assisting in answering questions about past decisions and activities

Demonstrating and documenting compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards

Principle of Accountability
An organization shall assign a senior executive who will oversee a recordkeeping program and delegate program responsibility to appropriate individuals, adopt policies and procedures to guide personnel, and ensure program auditability.
More...

Principle of Integrity
A recordkeeping program shall be constructed so the records and information generated or managed by or for the organization have a reasonable and suitable guarantee of authenticity and reliability.
More...

Principle of Protection
A recordkeeping program shall be constructed to ensure a reasonable level of protection to records and information that are private, confidential, privileged, secret, or essential to business continuity.
More...

Principle of Compliance
The recordkeeping program shall be constructed to comply with applicable laws and other binding authorities, as well as the organization’s policies.
More...

Principle of Availability
An organization shall maintain records in a manner that ensures timely, efficient, and accurate retrieval of needed information.
More...

Principle of Retention
An organization shall maintain its records and information for an appropriate time, taking into account legal, regulatory, fiscal, operational, and historical requirements.
More...

Principle of Disposition
An organization shall provide secure and appropriate disposition for records that are no longer required to be maintained by applicable laws and the organization’s policies.
More...

Principle of Transparency
The processes and activities of an organization’s recordkeeping program shall be documented in an understandable manner and be available to all personnel and appropriate interested parties.
More...