This Order brings into force on 24th February 2012 certain provisions of Part 1 of the Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 (“the Act”). The Act received Royal Assent on 20th April 2011 and Part 3 came into force on that day.

The commencement of the provisions is to enable the Keeper of the Records of Scotland to prepare and consult on draft guidance to authorities to whom Part 1 of the Act will apply and a draft model records management plan, and then issue the guidance and publish the plan in advance of the day when the provisions that oblige authorities to prepare their own records management plans will be brought into force.

This Order also commences section 2 of the Act which enables the Scottish Ministers to amend the schedule to the Act listing the authorities to which Part 1 will apply.