Occasionally the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) is notified by a Federal agency that a publication needs to be removed from public access. This may happen for the following reasons:

1. National security
2. Incorrect or misleading information in a publication
3. Protection of public interest (e.g., publication contains personally sensitive information)

When Federal agencies order GPO to remove access to previously released publications, GPO works closely with the agency to ensure that the request falls within the boundaries listed above per 44 USC § 1902. Only the Public Printer of the United States, the Superintendent of Documents, or their agents (e.g., GPO staff) can order Federal depository libraries to withdraw documents from Federal collections.

In general, there are three types of actions that can be requested by an agency:

1. Withdrawal/Hold for Further Instruction: Publications must be pulled from public access and stored securely at least on a temporary basis until GPO and the agency can issue further guidance.
2. Recall/Return: Publications are returned to GPO. Shipping costs to and from depositories may be paid by either the agency or GPO. Documents subject to recall are not replaced with another version. Documents subject to a return are replaced by either a reissued or substituted version.
3. Destruction: Depositories MUST destroy the publication(s) by the best available means. Publications must be destroyed using an environmentally-friendly method, such as shredding. If your depository does not have access to a shredder, the publication must be cut into strips so that the information cannot be read. Depositories must ensure that publications subject to destruction are secured until the time of shredding, especially when shredding is handled by a third party.

There may be variations or additional actions based on the request received by an agency. Specific instructions are included in the official letter from the Superintendent of Documents, which is distributed in depository shipment boxes and posted to the FDLP Desktop. Depositories MUST comply with all instructions issued by GPO. Depositories may be required to verify compliance.

Active Actions

• None at this time.

Archived Actions

• NASA June 2010 Microfiche Withdrawal
• Senate October 2010 Return
• Congressional Serial Set Volumes 15165 and 13151 May 2011 Return
• Senate Hearing 111-856 June 2011 Withdrawal

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