U.S. Department of Energy - OSTI

BACKGROUND
Where It All Began
With the advent of nuclear weapons and their enormous destructive capability, the United
States recognized the need to establish a special classification system to ensure that its nuclear
secrets were well protected. On August 1, 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed the Atomic
Energy Act (AEA) of 1946 which established the category of classified information known as
“Restricted Data” or “RD.” This Act gave the Atomic Energy Commission (now the Department
of Energy or DOE) unilateral authority over this information.
Restricted Data is defined by the Atomic Energy Act as all data concerning:
• Design, Manufacture, or Utilization of Atomic Weapons
• Production of Special Nuclear Material (SNM)
• Use of SNM in the production of energy
As the number of nuclear weapons in the inventory grew, the military assumed a greater role in
storing, maintaining, and planning for the use of nuclear weapons. Most of the personnel
involved needed access to the less sensitive military “utilization of nuclear weapons”
information, not “design” information. Unfortunately, the AEA of 1946 did not distinguish
between design and utilization of nuclear weapons; therefore, everyone needed a “Q”
clearance. Due to frequent rotations, the process of obtaining a “Q” clearance was too time
consuming for the military. When Congress revised the AEA in 1954, they addressed this
problem by establishing another category of classified information called “Formerly Restricted
Data” or “FRD.” The DOE and Department of Defense (DoD) have joint responsibility over FRD.
Formerly Restricted Data is classified information falling under the above definition
that deals primarily with the military utilization of atomic weapons.
Note: You do not have to know the difference between RD and FRD.
Referring a document in question to a qualified reviewer as potentially
containing RD/FRD or DOE equity is adequate.
RD
FRD
Subject Area Indicators and Key Word List 3