Archive laws

Almost all countries have these

These will differ on the type of content; the responsiblities of the data user; how long data is to be retained; who pays for the retention; how long data can remain secret (and when it needs to be publicised) where the data needs to be archived; how data can be requested and how it is distributed; and will link into the EU General Data Protection Regulation GDPR rules.

In NL for the goverment - https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/archieven/archieven-van-de-overheid / https://www.communicatierijk.nl/vakkennis/rijkswebsites/verplichte-richtlijnen/archiefwet and https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0007376/2024-06-19 - you have to archive your websites, so that they can always be accessible in the future.

For businesses - the taxman has requirements - https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/inkomstenbelasting/vraag-en-antwoord/hoe-lang-moet-ik-mijn-financiele-administratie-bewaren - private people are advised to keep tax related documents (banking details, receipts, pay slips) for 5 years, for businesses the requirement is 7 - 10 years.

Archives can also be required by supply chain partners, eg

- bills for health insurance documents

- proof of purchase / bills for guarantees (hardware)

- service contracts

- Insurance documents (medical records + bills [for health insurance], payouts)

- Certications + their validaitons (eg [security] audit results)