Press Releases

Orders and Directives

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Orders and directives are instruments used to assign responsibilities, set internal requirements, and implement policy or operational decisions within the Department. They help ensure consistent execution of Treasury's mission and legal obligations.

Common Types

  • Departmental orders: establish internal roles, authorities, and governance structures.
  • Directives: provide requirements for processes, security, compliance, or operational standards.
  • Policies and guidance: explain expectations and best practices for staff and partners.

What to Expect on Treasury Pages

  • Clear title and purpose, with the scope described up front.
  • Definitions, roles and responsibilities, and implementation steps.
  • Effective dates and references to related policies, where applicable.

Compliance and Transparency

Directives are designed to support consistency, accountability, and risk management. Publication and access vary depending on whether a document is public facing or internal.

What Directives Often Cover

  • Security and access controls for systems and facilities.
  • Records retention and documentation standards.
  • Financial management requirements and reporting expectations.
  • Acquisition, vendor, and procurement procedures.
  • Risk management, internal controls, and audit readiness.

Lifecycle

Orders and directives generally include an effective date and may be updated or retired as laws, programs, and operational needs change. When revisions occur, the Department aims to provide clarity on what changed and who is responsible for implementation.