The Difference between Disposal and Disposal : A Document Analysis of the Definition of Disposal used by The Swedish National Archives

In Sweden, the concept of disposal of archival records is defined not only as the complete physical destruction of records, but also as the partial loss of information. This means that even disposed records may still be accessible in some form. The losses covered by the definition include the loss of content, the loss of potential compilations, the loss of searchability, and the loss of the ability to verify a record's authenticity. This definition was formulated within the framework of författningsprojektet, a regulatory project carried out by the Swedish National Archives between 1985 and 1992. The study applies a qualitative method, primarily based on document analysis, using working materials, meeting notes, and consultation responses from the project as the main sources. The thesis explores the cognitive understanding and practical application of the disposal definition within state archives. The analysis reveals significant variation in how the concept of disposal is interpreted, with the definition giving rise to confusion and ambiguity. The most widely accepted understanding continues to be that disposal means complete physical destruction, while the broader interpretation has struggled to gain traction. Some aspects of the definition are anchored in legal frameworks, which complicates the possibility of separating the various types of losses into distinct categories, even though doing so could greatly improve and clarify the use of the term. In recent years, the protection of personal data has received increased attention, particularly with the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) within the European Union. In legislation aimed at protecting such data, destruction is generally the default principle. In contrast, archival regulations prioritize preservation. This results in a fragmented understanding of whether records should be retained or destroyed. This is a two-year master’s thesis in Archival Science.